Protect Yo’self!—What Is Security?

by "Doc" Don Sturgiss

Hi! Back already? Well, let’s get into it.

This first regular article in the COMPUTERS series deals with the definition of security and points toward where we will be going in future articles. We need this definition because a lot of what you do with your computer actually involves security. The problem is twofold:

1. Most people don’t know the applicable definitions of security and, as a result,
2. Few give it the depth of consideration the subject deserves.

In the remainder of this article I will cover this subject in more detail and give you a short list of protection you should have on your computer. I will cover additional facets of security in future articles.

Definition

As a computer consultant I see that, almost without exception, users know only one of the major definitions for the word “security” and even fewer know why knowing more than one of the definitions would be important.

As a result of the fear of hackers, credit card and identity theft, viruses, spyware and Denial Of Service attacks, most computer users are now aware that it is a dangerous world out there and that someone you don’t know and who did not have it in for you personally can mess up your computer. The actions and software to protect you against viruses, “malware” and “spyware” also satisfy some of the definitions of “security” listed below because you have a “feeling of security”.

In Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, the first definition is: “the state of feeling or being secure, freedom from feeling fear, anxiety, danger, doubt, etc., state of certainty or safety.”

The second definition is: “something that gives or assures safety, tranquility, certainty, etc.; protection; safeguard.”

And the third definition is: “a) protection or defense against attack, interference, espionage, etc. b) protection against escape c) procedures to provide such protection.”

As artists, you are probably using your computer to produce valuable intellectual properties (photos, poems, books, etc.) and you want to know that such works are protected. The actions and software to protect you against theft, corruption or destruction of those original intellectual properties satisfies definitions 2 and 3a, which then gives you a “feeling of security,” def. 1.

But users often forget all of the implications of the first definition in the dictionary; the primary definition of security: “The state of feeling or being secure, freedom from feeling fear,” except as it is linked only with the second and third definitions mentioned in the paragraph above. Let’s look at these definitions and how they might apply to your car.

Example: Using Your Car

The locks on your car doors would fit into the “protection” definitions (second and third), as would the bumpers, seat belts, etc. And having these items would also make you feel safe or sure, free of danger, etc. Thus they then definitely make you feel more secure, etc. (the first definition).

But there are things and actions you should do that don’t obviously apply because they have nothing to do with locks and keys and padding and safety - things like that. Part of your “feeling of security” (def. I) and “something that assures” (def. 2) is knowing that your car will start every time and get you to where you need to go on time, safely. If you don’t give it regular tune-ups and oil changes and keep it filled with gas, oil and water and keep it repaired, then you stop having the “feeling of security” and the feeling that your car is “something that assures.” In other words, you place your own security at risk due to incorrect and insufficient maintenance. If you have had an unreliable car, you really got to know the feeling of the lack of security associated with it. The same idea applies to computers.

As This Applies To Your Computer

Many computer users don’t realize that they have no feeling of security about their ability to keep using their computer and its programs and data (or they have a false sense of security, which is worse!). As a result, they don’t act to provide that security for themselves since they either can’t define what it is they actually want or they don’t realize how things can go wrong.

Where We Are Going With This

I will be introducing procedures you can use with your computer to keep it and your data secure. These procedures will include maintenance, and occasionally I will introduce you to software of particular use to Creative Artists (and their friends and family). After reading this column for a while, you will have an increased knowledge of your computer, a suite of actions you carry out on a regular basis that keep your computer operating smoothly and productively, and computing should be more fun. I’ll also introduce you to some programs that make the computing side of life easier.

One Thing You Can Do Now To Improve Your Security

If you’re using a Windows computer, when was the last time you checked your hard drive for errors? You should be doing this monthly. Error checking hard drives is done because, from time to time, hard drives get damaged. This damage can prevent the drive from operating correctly to store and retrieve your data or open and run programs. By checking and fixing any errors found, we improve the security of your drive and its ability to read programs and to store and retrieve your data.

This is how you can do it.

Assumption: You are running Windows XP

1. Click on Start to open the Start Menu
2. Click on My Computer
3. Right-click on the C:\ drive and click on Properties, then Tools, then Check Now.
4. Check Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors, then click on Start.
5. You should see a wide grey rectangular box stating that some critical Windows files are open and that you must restart the computer for the disk check program to get the access it needs, so it asks you if you want to schedule a disk check the next time you restart Windows. Click on Yes and the wide grey box will disappear.
6. Restart your computer. After you restart your computer (or start it next time if you just shut it down), a screen will come up and tell you the progress in checking your C:\ drive. When it is done, the computer will finish booting into your Windows start screen.

You should check your hard drives for errors at least monthly. Many times I check client’s computers and see that they haven’t done this since they bought their computer. And they wonder why their system “…sometimes acts weird” and “…loses things.”

In Closing

My future writing will generally be on one of two subjects: “Computers” and “Electronic Life”. The former will be about building, maintaining and using computers (all that serious stuff!). The latter will be about making computers part of your life, mostly in the area of play. Also, please remember that this column is for your benefit. So don’t hesitate to contact me with things you want to see in future issues or have a question about anything in a present or past article.

Where do we go now?

If you can't wait for more, explore the archives sorted by month via the links in the right-hand sidebar, or use the Category links in the same place.

If you'd rather we did all the hard work, you're in luck. Here's a list of articles that are related to this one:

• The Editor and the Medium: How to Ensure your Success
• Artist’s Productivity: Information Processing
• Am I the only artist who hates computers?
• The Flockblogger - How do you become one?
• Artist’s Productivity: The Empty Inbox