As long as your computer has access to the internet, especially e-mails, then it may be only a matter of time before you fall victim to a malicious spyware program, virus, worm, or hacker. Every day we experience customers getting displeased and unhappy about their computer problems due to these threats, and it is only getting worse.

What is even more distressing is that many of these computer users are back in my office a couple days or weeks later with the EXACT same problems and end up having to spend ANOTHER heavy fee for restoring their computer back to normal.

Now imagine having these kinds of problem with your restaurant. Your POS systems being infiltrated, damaged and completely 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 Must Be Aware Of

One of the deadly aspects of online threats is their ability hide their existence and penetrate your system without your knowledge. Hackers and the authors of malicious spyware and malware programs go to great lengths to create 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 even know it. 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 computer program often installed without the user’s permission. This program gathers information about you and your online activities and then reports it 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 heaping spoonful 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 causes inconvenience to the user. Malware is harder to remove and will try to fight back when you try to 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 easiest targets.

Some of them have criminal intent and use their programs to steal money from individuals and companies. Some have a grudge against your software vendor and take their revenge by secretly attacking their customers. Others does it purely for fun. Whatever the reason, hackers are getting more intelligent and advanced in their ability to infiltrate computer systems and networks.

Four Simple Steps To Secure Your Computer 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 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 Internet Explorer such as Firefox browser. Hackers have figured out ways to access and 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 use an older version of Windows such as Windows 98.

Though Mozilla Firefox is a free browser, it doesn’t have the same security problem as IE. Many of my clients telling that they like their Mozilla Firefox browser better than Internet Explorer. Shifting from IE to Firefox is a simple and a cost-free way to add another layer of security to your computer. To download this free browser, go to www.mozilla.org.

3. Do not. This goes without saying because most viruses are replicated via e-mail. If you feel it’s suspicious, delete it immediately!

4. Set up a firewall. A firewall is designed to block unauthorized access while allowing outgoing communication. Many users will get a DSL or cable Internet connection and plug it directly using no firewall.

Always remember that the internet is an open field where you are vulnerable from all kinds of things that may come in your way. You have access to the world, but on the other side, the world has access to YOU. Hackers have developed special programs which they use to scan the Internet automatically for computers without a firewall. Once they find one, they access your computer, download vicious programs, and might even use your computer to scatter their ravaging viruses to your friends or other computers without your permission.

Just one simple click os a mouse and they’ll gain easy access to your restaurant POS system, collect all customer and employee information, destroy your computer system, and sends out 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.

The author Michael Tash is the Vice President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants. With over 20 years of restaurant experience, POS-For-Restaurants.com helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.

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