Defense in Depth and the Home User: Securing the Home PC

The Internet has permeated the modern world. Business entities rely on the Internet for conducting commerce and trade. Home computer users have discovered the benefits of using the Internet for personal business, communication, education and pleasurable pastimes. In addition to the array of benefits the Internet provides, come associated risks. Such risks may include, but are not limited to, viruses, software vulnerabilities, and unsafe computing practices. While businesses are generally well informed and take measures to protect against these risks, the home computer user is typically unaware and ill prepared to protect their system from threats associated with Internet usage. Although it is impossible to provide full and complete protection from all threats, applying the principles of defense in depth to the home computer will reduce Internet-based risks, and produce a well-secured home computer. This document is written with the home computer user as the target audience. Its purpose is to make the home computer user aware of the risks of using an unsecured computer, and to provide a guide in how to secure the home computer by applying various layers of defense to their system.