Can Your Machine Be Hacked? Test Yourself with These 12 Resources
Your wifi is encrypted and a trial version of McAfee came with that new HP the kid at Best Buy sold you, so no need to worry about computer security, right? Unfortunately, security is a whole lot more complex than your average computer user might imagine. There are literally hundreds of ways that malware and hackers can compromise your system security, most of which you’ve never heard of. Thankfully, however, there are a number of online tools available which will help you identify (and sometimes fix) the vulnerabilities in your system. In this article we’ve selected 12 basic tests you can run on your machine to identify its weaknesses.
- Audit My PC: Audit My PC is a terrific site for finding all kinds of security tests to run on your computer. The Firewall test makes sure your present firewall is configured correctly; the Anonymous surfing and privacy check finds out how much of your personal information is available to online hackers; and the free Web site monitoring system will "find out if your ISP is having problems" or if "unauthorized ports have been opened on your firewall." Each tool is completely free.
- Qualys FreeScan: Large networks should be given this free test, which "allows you to quickly and accurately scan your server for thousands of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker." After the scan, the security system will even send you information on how to bolster up your computer’s protection by patching up weak spots.
- Proxy Way: This online test evaluates your computer’s privacy settings. Passwords and firewalls can be hacked more easily than you might think, but this test "shows how much of your private information can be collected by Web sites when you visit them - your current IP Address, browser and computer information."
- Test My Firewall: This site gives basic advice about maximizing Web security, as well as specific tips on how to test your Firewall, bandwith, and broadband connection.
- Hijack This: Downloading the Hijack This program will help you get into the mind of a hijacker. Automatic updates constantly search your system for potential hackers, but let you decide whether or not you want to delete anything.
- GFI Email Security Testing Zone: If you think you’re safe from e-mail viruses just because you have a Spam filter, think again. Many sophisticated worms and viruses are designed to circumvent spam filters for maximum destruction. The above link will connect you to a site that allows you to register for thorough e-mail security checks, like the attachment with no file name vulnerability test and the fragmented message vulnerability test.
- WindowSecurity.com: This site sponsors another valuable security test for evaluating e-mail vulnerability. Detailed descriptions let you know exactly how each test works and why you need to run it. The site also comes with a guarantee that the "tests are very safe and do not do anything dangerous" to your computer.
- The PCman Website Virus Test: This free virus scanner test plants a "harmless" fake virus — the Eicar Virus test string — to gauge your computer’s ability to notice real viruses. In other words, "if your virus scanner is set up and working properly it should intercept the downloading of these [fake] files." It’s an easy, risk-free way of testing your computer’s security.
- Sophos Threat Detection Test: Downloading this program will test your current anti-virus software to make sure it’s effectively protecting your computer. The free scan runs along with your current anti-virus software and is automatically updated; however, you get to choose when you want Sophos to run the test. Sophos is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista, and "checks performance of Symantec, McAfee, Trend, CA, Kaspersky and F-Secure."
- Symantec Security Check: Symantec has long been regarded as a professional, trustworthy resource in anti-virus protection. Run the security scan and virus detection test to find out if your computer is vulnerable to any threats. Both are free.
- Nmap: Nmap, or Network Mapper, has the capability to audit the security systems on huge networks. It’s free to download, and "most operating systems are supported, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, IRIX, Mac OS X, HP-UX, NetBSD, Sun OS, Amiga, and more."
- PC Security Test 2007: This comprehensive security test scans Windows operating systems for viruses, spyware, and hacking threats. Once the scan is finished, "PC Securtiy computes a security index and provides tips on improving PC security." The best part? The download is completely free.
The 12 resources in this article are designed to make you aware of the many potential weak spots in your system’s security. Information is power, so now that you know where you need to upgrade, we encourage you to go out and repair some of the chinks you’ve discovered in your computer’s armor.
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October 14th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Hey! I came across your blog posting after searching for make a free website and your post on Can Your Machine Be Hacked? Test Yourself with These 12 Resources makes an interesting read. Thanks for sharing. I will research more next Sunday when I have the day off.
October 15th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Why Is Avast Home Not Included In Your List
October 17th, 2007 at 7:30 am
and why no spybot search and destroy? thats like one of the most useful tools out there
November 30th, 2007 at 12:43 am
hey man I really like ur article..espcially about hacking.thanx for sharing it.
Jasmine
tech-chek.blogspot.com
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 am
Hey !
Thank you for the info sharing. I would say this is very2 useful article for me & others. Out of 12 list of basic tests I can run on my machine to identify its weaknesses, only 1 i have used previously, which is Hijack This. I guess, i have lot more things to catch up. Thank you again for the sharing
March 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Very nice article. You gave me something to think about. Thank you.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Cool. I like it!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Avast is one of the very few really antivirus programs that offer real-time protection for home PC security. Czech guys did a great job! AVG and Avira seem to be the only competitors. Finding a full-featured free antivirus is tough these days, most of the so-called “free” programs are either time-limited trials, or simply on-demand scanners without real-time monitoring. To my mind, avast! has the best interface of all free AV’s available for personal PC security.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
cool site , thanks
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August 26th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
good share , haks for the information so helpful i’m gonna submit it to the webmasters diractory http://www.made4webmasters.com
August 28th, 2008 at 6:11 am
I m sure it can be
hard to keep the comp safe
August 28th, 2008 at 6:12 am
I tested, I asumed I m protected. discovered I m not
September 16th, 2008 at 8:13 am
thank u for sharing this info
September 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I really like ur article…
September 17th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I find it ridiculous that many PC owners prefer installing all kinds of trials and demos and “free scan” of programs, and what’s worse - they’re advised to install as many security programs as possible. In my experience, a web scanner sometimes if a better choice. It’s easy to try a dozen of virus scanners, and in many cases they really help to remove malware.
But of course none of these services provide real-time protection. They’re mostly for additional testing and energency cases.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:35 am
thank u guys i learn more and more any time/
October 30th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Your article is very helpful. I am hoping it will help me solve the problem as to who is using my telephone line through the internet to make threatening calls to others. My telephone line is only for incoming calls and hence nobody can make outgoing calls. Yet someone made a threat call from my phone.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:40 am
WOw it worked!
April 5th, 2009 at 5:04 am
my systems can not be hacked!
April 15th, 2009 at 7:22 am
I read your blog for a long time and must tell that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Благодарю. Прочитал с огромным интересом, и вообще полезный у Вас блог
June 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
The style of writing is quite familiar to me. Have you written guest posts for other bloggers?
p.s. Year One is already on the Internet and you can watch it for free.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Your article is very helpful. I am hoping it will help me solve the problem as to who is using my telephone line through the internet to make threatening calls to others. My telephone line is only for incoming calls and hence nobody can make outgoing calls. Yet someone made a threat call from my phone.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:53 am
my systems can not be hacked!
July 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
great stuff,thanks!
August 1st, 2009 at 6:14 am
מחירים חסרי תקדים
August 1st, 2009 at 6:14 am
טובה יותר להנאה מושלמת
August 1st, 2009 at 6:15 am
תן לעצמך דרור במיטה
August 1st, 2009 at 6:16 am
זה מעצים כל גבר
August 1st, 2009 at 6:16 am
המחיר זה לא הכל
September 17th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I found your blog doing a web search today 9/17.
I think I better share this on my blog. Thanks
October 14th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Прочитал на одном дыхании, спасибо!
November 1st, 2009 at 4:49 am
מסגרות לתמונות רק במסגרות שעשוע
November 4th, 2009 at 3:37 am
רמאי רמאי רמאי
November 4th, 2009 at 3:39 am
קייטרינג מס 1 לאירועים - אביב אירועים
December 5th, 2009 at 6:22 am
טכנאי למחשב שלך
טכנאי עד הבית
איכותי אמין ומקצועי
לא תמצאו טוב יותר במקום אחר
December 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Not bad for someone who has it so far up there back end.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Thank you! I have been looking for this information all day now. My pc is not running like used to and I need to figure out how to fix it soon. I have bookmarked your post so others can find it to on delicious.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
טכנאי מחשבים תל אביב
טכנאי עד הבית
הקמה וניהול רשתות
הכי טוב שיש
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:22 pm
am including my email plz send me email of rss