If your computer has access to the internet and e-mail, then it may be only a matter of time before you get attacked by malicious spyware program, virus, worm, or (worst) hackers. Every day we get customers coming in who are experiencing computer problems due to these threats, and it is only getting worse.
What’s even more worrying is that several of my customers keeps coming back to my repair shop a few days or weeks later complaining about the EXACT same computer problems and ends up paying for ANOTHER repair just to get their computer up and running again.
Imagine having these kinds of difficulty with your restaurant. POS computers being infiltrated and destroyed by viruses and worms. You absolutely have no way of protecting your restaurant POS system if you do not take extra precautions.
The Three Dangerous Threats You Should Look Out For
One of the most dangerous aspects of online threats is their ability to cloak their existence. Hackers and other programmers who code malicious spyware and malware programs go to great lengths to create programs that are difficult to identify and remove.
That means a malicious program can be downloaded and doing its dirty work on your computer long before you are aware of it. Below are the two most common threats you’ll need to guard against with a brief description of what they {are|are and how you acquire them}:
Spyware: Spyware is a type of computer program that is secretly installed on your pc, it collect data and other activities you do on the interenet without your consent, then reports such data back to a third party. Sometimes advertisers uses this sneaky program to secretly monitor their customers’ activities. So Better becareful on what website you visit before clicking on that “download” button.
Most spyware finds its way onto your computer via file downloads including free programs, music files, and screen savers. While thinking you are only downloading a legitimate program to add smileys to your e-mails, you are unknowingly also downloading a truck full of spyware programs.
Malware: Malware is short for malicious software and represents all programs, viruses, Trojans, and worms that have malicious intent to infiltrate or disrupt a system. A malware is a program designed to be used for malicious intent and it’s harder to remove and will fight back when you try to clean it from your system. In some extreme cases, we had no other choice but to wipe out the entire hard disk and start with a complete re-install of the operating system. Most of the time, malware secretly attach itself to your emails without your knowledge causing computer damage to your email receipients.
Hackers: These are programmers for whom computing is its own reward, has the habit of breaking into other people’s computer just for the sheer fun of it but causes no harm. But today, hackers are widely known as evil programmers who loves to modify your files, cause damage to your system and even design the spyware and malware programs to attack your computer.
So if you’re a restaurant or any other retail establishment owner, having no kind of security for your POS systems at all, then your system is surely one of the easy targets.
Some of them may have criminal intent and purposely use these programs to steal money from unsuspecting individuals and companies. Some have a grudge against the big software vendors and take their revenge by secretly attacking their customers. While other hackers do it purely for fun. Whatever the reason, these twisted programmers are getting more intelligent and advanced in their ability to access computer systems and networks.
Below Are 4 Simple Steps You May Take In Order To Secure Yourself From Malicious Attacks
1. Never forget to keep your antivirus software updated at all times. You will want to make sure it it auto scan and has an update feature that will make sure your computer is running the most current protection available and regularly scanning for threats.
2. Consider using an alternative web browser to Microsoft IE like the Mozilla Firefox. Hackers have ways ways to access and download malicious programs to your computer via a security hole in Internet Explorer. Even worse about this is that even if you do not click anything and/or download a program to get infected. You are very susceptible to attacks if you’re using an older version of Windows such as Windows 98.
Though Mozilla Firefox is a free browser, it does not have the same security problem as IE. Many of my clients reporting that they like their Mozilla Firefox browser better than MS Internet Explorer. Shifting from IE to Mozilla is a simple and a cost-free way to add more protection to your computer. You can easily download this browser at www.mozilla.org.
3. Do not. This goes without saying because most viruses are replicated via e-mail. If you feel it’s suspicious, do not open it, delete it immediately!
4. Using s firewall. A firewall is simply a device that acts as a buffer between you and the big, wild world of the Internet. Many users will get a DSL or cable Internet connection and plug it directly into their computer with no firewall in between.
The one thing you have to remember about the Internet is that it is a big open field. You have access to the world, but on the flip side, the world has access to YOU. Take note that hackers have programs that automatically scan the Internet for computers connected via a cable or DSL connection without a firewall. Once they find one, they they’ll immediately access your computer, download vicious programs, and might even use your computer to reproduce their ravaging viruses to your friends or other computers without your knowledge or permission.
Just one simple click os a mouse and they’ll gain easy access to your restaurant POS system, collect all customer or employee data, destroy your computer system, and sends out virus-infected emails to your customers and friends using your email account! It will surely be the end of your hard work, a huge waste of money on the restaurant POS solutions you’ve bought, and possibly the downfall of your business if you let this things happen to you.
Michael Tash of POS-For-Restaurants, is the author and Vice President of Customer Relations for POS-For-Restaurants.com. With over 20 years of restaurant experience, POS-For-Restaurants.com helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.