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 hacker. 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 distressing is that many of these computer users are back in my repair shop a few days or weeks later with the EXACT same problems and end up having to spend ANOTHER hefty fee for restoring their computer back to normal.
Imagine having these kinds of problem with your restaurant. Your entire POS systems being infiltrated and destroyed by these ravaging viruses, worms and Trojans. You absolutely have no way of protecting your restaurant POS system if you do not take extra precautions.
The Three Dangerous Threats You Must Be Aware Of
One of the most dangerous aspects of online threats is their ability to cloak their existence. Hackers and the authors of malicious spyware and malware programs really exert vast amount of effort just to create harmful programs that are difficult to identify and remove.
This can mean that malicious computer programs can directly be downloaded and work its dirty tricks on your system before you are able to identify them. Below are the two most common threats you’ll need to guard against with a brief explanation of what they {are|are and how you acquire them}:
Spyware: Spyware is a type of computer program that is hidden from you, 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 you think you are only downloading a legitimate program to add smileys to your e-mails, you are unknowingly also downloading loads of spyware programs.
Malware: Malware is the combination of the words malicious and software, and represents all programs, viruses, Trojans, and worms that have malicious intent to damage or disrupt a system. Malware is a bit harder to remove and will fight back when if clean it from your system. In some extreme cases, we had to wipe out the hard disk and start with a complete re-install of the operating system. Frequently, malware is also designed to attach itself from your e-mail account to all the friends and colleagues in your address book without your knowledge or consent.
Hackers: Programmers who find breaking in to their friends or coworkers’ computer is fun, but causes no damage, they love the challenge of being able to infiltrate a computer system and brag about it. Today these hackers mostly love to design spyware and malware programs that attacks computer systems causing extreme damage.
So if you’re a restaurant or any other retail establishment owner, having no protection for your POS systems at all, then your system is surely one of the easy targets.
Some of them have criminal intent and purposely use these programs to steal money or aquire secured information from unsuspecting individuals and companies. Some have a grudge against the big software vendors and take their revenge by secretly attacking their customers. Others do it just for fun. Whatever the reason, hackers are getting more intelligent and advanced in their ability to access computer systems and networks.
Four Simple Steps To Secure Your Computer From Malicious Attacks
1. Always remember to regularly update your antivirus software. You ought to make sure it has an auto scan and has an update feature that will make sure your computer is using the most current protection available and regularly scanning for threats.
2. Instead of just sticking to one why not consider an alternative browser to Internet Explorer like the Mozilla Firefox. Hackers have figured out ways to access and effortlessly download malicious programs to your computer via a security hole in IE. What is amazing about this is that you don’t even have to click on anything or download a program to get infected. You are very susceptible to attacks if you have an older version of Windows such as Windows 98.
Mozilla is a completely free web browser that does not have the same security problems as IE. Many of my clients saying that they prefer using the Mozilla Firefox browser than Internet Explorer browser. Switching from IE to Firefox is a simple and cost-free way to add more protection to your computer. You can easily download this browser at www.mozilla.org.
3. Do not. Because most viruses are distributed through e-mails you receive from anonymous accounts, and even from your friends. If it looks suspicious, don’t open it, just get rid of it immediately!
4. Setting up a 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 using no firewall.
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. And once they find one, they they immediately access your computer, download vicious programs, and might even use your computer to send their ravaging viruses to your friends or other computers without your permission.
It only takes one click of a mouse to 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.
Tags: Point of Sale, Point of Service, POS, restaurant automation, restaurant computer, restaurant hardware, restaurant point of sale, Restaurant pos, restaurant pos equipment, restaurant pos quote, restaurant pos solution, restaurant software
