My job

[bizzybutlazy]

I started a new job, and i am in charge of computer management (and im a stock boy) for a Apperal and apllience/gadget store.... and i was wondering what are some problems i might face? What are some defense progs i can use? Firewalls..... anti virri... Is there anything such as Credit card virri, im courius, i know it sounds weird...... i was just wondering.....

[Simon Templer]

Hello bizzybutlazy,

If your searching for protection software here are some links you should take a look at:

Firewall Software: (All were taken from the 1st section fo the AO Newbies FAQ )

Agnitum – Outpost
http://www.tauscan.com

Tiny Software - Tiny Personal Firewall
http://tinysoftware.com

ZoneLabs - Zone Alarm
http://www.zonelabs.com

Sygate - Sygate Personal Firewall
http://www.sygate.com/products/

Network ICE – Black Ice Defender
http://www.networkice.com/products/b..._defender.html

Symantec Desktop Firewall 2.0
http://www.symantec.com

McAfee Personal Firewall
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/firewall/

ConSeal PC Firewall
http://www.consealfirewall.com/

Anti-Virus & Anti-Trojan Software: (Also taken from the 1st Part of AO Newbie FAQ)

Tauscan Trojan Removal Utility:
http://www.tauscan.com/

MooSoft Trojan Removal Utility:
http://www.moosoft.com/

DiamondCS Trojan Removal Utility:
http://tds.diamondcs.com.au/

Panda Antivirus:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/

AVG Antivirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.cfm

McAfee Antivirus:
http://www.mcafee.com/

Kaspersky Antivirus:
http://www.kaspersky.com./

Sophos Antivirus:
http://www.sophos.com/

Symantec Antivirus:
http://www.symantec.com/

TrendMicro Antivirus:
http://www.antivirus.com/

I would personally suggest you invest in a good Virus Scanner..and download a Firewall

Credit Card Virii ? A little more clarification is needed..and then I will try to help.

I hope this helped

[stflook]

That's a pretty vague question. Could you narrow it down a bit? What operating system(s) do you use? What kind of network do you have? How many computers are on your network? Do you even have a network?

I'm going to answer your question assuming you have an NT domain with a DSL internet connection. For antivirus protection, you should pick up something like Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition, and put it on your server(s) and all the workstations, and remember to update it regularly. For your internet connection, you need a business grade router with a good firewall. I have never had to deal with them, so I couldn't recommend one or give you a price range. If you have a small network (under 10 computers), you could probably get away with a personal grade router, of which I would recommend a Linksys. If your network is handling credit card numbers, you might want to go for the improved firewall in the business grade router anyway, because it would be bad business to not take all possible measures to stop hackers from getting your customers' credit card numbers.

As for your question on what kinds of problems you might face, I can't even begin to answer it due to the incredible vagueness. I will, however, tell you that you had better learn to put up with whiny users fast. Also, when dealing with users, act like you know what the answer is even if you don't. If they don't respect you, they're less likely to treat the network with respect. I've had to deal with that before. It's not fun.

[bizzybutlazy]

We are using Win NT, and IT is a network of only two computers...... i amnot sure what type of network is being used...... we plan on adding more to the network.... but im not sure.

I am use to using Sygate,and i also would like to thank Templer for the links..... but back to the networks.... we planto hook up laptops i beilve to the networks... and it isnt some big network, it is a small local one... I am use to big networks.... also how can i identify the type of network being used? instead of going to control panel? these are alot of questions i know....

oh yea to.... SFTlook, thank you, and to narrow everything down, lol, i have already answered most of the questions, but basically we are letting people test the computers and also letting people buy with credit cards of course..... what are some saftey procautions i should take? At my school for example, they have taken out control panel and find..... but i know how to get around most of that through dos..... how could i make the laptops "safe"?

[bizzybutlazy]

Im not sure if there is such a thing. A credit card stores information, it has coding in it i am pretty sure. So say if someone would swipe there card through, could it put information on the computer to charge the next person double? Is that possible? its a question, i was just wondering

[stflook]

If your network has only 2 computers, it's probably a workgroup, which is a peer-to-peer network. It would be pretty pointless to run a 2 computer domain. As for your last question, do you mean to actually put a virus on the card itself? The answer to that would be "no".

"what are some saftey procautions i should take?"

Do you mean for the computers on the shelves for testing? For that, there is a program out there called "Foolproof", which tightens security on the local machine. My school uses it, and it's very easy to crack. But the odds of your average customer even knowing where to begin cracking it is slim. The way I know to crack it, you can stop simply by putting a startup password in the BIOS. This is because cracking it involves rebooting the computer in safe mode, and removing the right file. So if they can't reboot, they can't move the file, and thus, your computer is safe. Just remember to remove it if they buy the computer. Is that what you wanted to know?

Now, I hope you're not putting the laptops (or any computer) on the network if they're out on the shelves for testing. If you are, you're going to be in trouble if a good hacker shows up. If you put them on the network, you're basically giving a hacker at one computer access to all of them at once. Only put business computers on your network. If you leave the testing computers off the network, a person can only trash that one system, but only if they crack Foolproof first (assuming you use it).

[stflook]

It's very easy to identify what kind of network you have.

If you have one or more servers, you have a domain.
If you don't have any servers, you have a workgroup.

Pretty easy.

[Quad]

ahem...lets not forget, token ring, peer-2-peer, wireless, and BNC direct cable connect.

[stflook]

First off, a workgroup IS peer-to-peer. Wireless is not likely, since a store would not want to spend the extra money for the lesser security. Direct cable connect is also unlikely. But when you get down to it, the 2 basic types of NT network are workgroup and domain. That is what I was talking about.

[bizzybutlazy]

Thank you........ Well I guess i just thought about that, but you can put up restrictions to access the whole network? That is stupid now that i think about that... hmmmmm........ you can put restrictions up but not the type that im thinking of. Plus we can pretty much set up firewalls to block certain sites, and i can block the prominent hacker sites......... but FTPs........ they can accesse alot of "tools" from their personal ftp server (i guess the are "servers")...... ok im getting my self confused.... anyways. thanks for the info.