https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/Protecting computers from malicious code

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/Protecting computers from malicious code

When local government employees and officials browse the Internet, they face the risk of intercepting malicious computer code or viruses that can damage
  • Written by Robert Clyde
  • 1st July 2001

When local government employees and officials browse the Internet, they face the risk of intercepting malicious computer code or viruses that can damage desktop systems and even entire computer networks. Those viruses use mobile code, which is code sent from another system and executed on the desktop computer.

Some of the mobile code technologies emerging for Web programming (e.g., Web applets, Java and ActiveX controls) are full of security holes that compromise system integrity. Local governments can protect their computers against mobile code threats and viruses by following six suggestions.

  • Run anti-virus software on all desktops, servers and gateways (e-mail and firewall). Most anti-virus solutions detect and remove known mobile code threats in addition to viruses. It is essential to keep all anti-virus signature files and engines as current as possible.

  • Install URL blocking software at the gatewall or the desktop. URL blocking software can prevent users from going to virus exchange sites and downloading viruses for experimentation. In most cases, URL blocking software will not hinder users from doing their work and will prevent some infections by viruses.

  • Configure Web browsers to automatically reject signed Java applets and ActiveX controls. Signed Java applets can request access to a computer system and wreak havoc. If computer users do not need Java applets to do their work, configure Web browsers or http proxy to automatically terminate/reject all signed Java applets. Additionally, if users do not need to use ActiveX or Netscape plug-ins, configure Web browsers or http proxy to reject all ActiveX controls or plug-ins.

  • Configure desktop browser software to automatically deny all requests by JavaScript, VBScript, etc., to access the local machine resources. By default, the major browsers will ask users’ permission for a script to access the local computer. That decision should not be made by the users. On machines that have proprietary or mission critical information, all programmable content (and, in fact, all Web browsing) should be prohibited.

  • Obtain the latest patches from your Web browser and e-mail products. Over the last few years, researchers have discovered a number of security holes in Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and popular e-mail programs. Luckily, the rate at which holes are discovered is slowing, indicating that those products are reaching a level of acceptable security. In most cases when a hole is found, the discoverer works with the product vendor to remove the vulnerability.

    Reduce security holes by visiting vendors’ Web sites and installing the latest patches to Internet-based software. For security advisories, consult the Computer Emergency Response Team, a non-profit organization run at Carnegie Mellon University, at www.cert.org.

  • Install software to filter executable files or strip macros from incoming e-mail and http traffic. Most viruses are delivered via e-mail. Consequently, filtering incoming e-mail attachments that may harbor viruses will help solve the problem of malicious code in the enterprise.

  • Some gateway anti-virus solutions can be configured to strip all incoming executable files and/or strip the macros from incoming documents. That drastic measure may deny users access to needed executable or macro content; however, it will virtually neutralize the Internet as a source of malicious code.

    While there are no known mobile code attacks that have actually targeted end-users of local government computers, some of the mobile code platforms have security holes that make attacks a serious threat. Following those six suggestions will help local governments neutralize that threat.

    The author is chief technologist, Enterprise Solutions Division, for Cupertino, Calif.-based Symantec.

Tags: Smart Cities & Technology

Most Recent


  • $52B semiconductor investment intended to rejuvenate American manufacturing
    Three decades ago, American manufacturing dominated the semiconductor industry, producing about 40 percent of the global supply annually. But over time, companies shipped business overseas looking to cut costs, and today, the nation produces only 10 percent of all semiconductors. It’s something the Biden Administration is trying to change through CHIPS and Science Act. “There […]
  • Chattanooga, Tenn.
    Capitalizing on hybrid work, these 10 cities are ready to take advantage
    Hybrid work is an accelerating trend that’s becoming the norm as attitudes rapidly change. And amid this nationwide shift to work-from-home setups, local governments are moving quickly to capitalize on the emerging opportunities that come with a workforce that’s not physically tied to any particular office building. For administrators seeking to entice remote workers to […]
  • Cybercrime is on the rise, and water treatment plants are particularly vulnerable
    With most town water treatment plants serving less than 50,000 people, they’re facing a problem: budgetary constraints preventing administrators from investing in their digital defenses, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. “It’s definitely becoming a trend—possibly because ransomware has become a thing now where people can make money. Water plants do matter to the general […]
  • Traffic signal technology tapped to reduce congestion in Portland's metro area
    A 2020 survey of traffic congestion in cities around the globe ranked Portland, Ore., as the 14th worst metro area in the nation and 115th worst in the world. That year, commuters lost 27 hours stuck in traffic. The latest push to reduce that commute time by TriMet, the region’s mass transit service, will bring […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions
  • Harris County deploys next-generation security in 150 public buildings
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Today’s infrastructure needs greater than roads and bridges - It’s time to face our digital connectiveness

White papers


Modern American Perspectives on Law Enforcement

14th July 2022

Reimagine the Employee Experience

12th July 2022

How to Assemble a Rockstar Website Redesign Steering Committee

7th June 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

When spending federal stimulus dollars, local governments should consider long-term, community impact dlvr.it/SWXJWZ

12th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

In Nevada county, data underpins efforts to address climate change dlvr.it/SWTGHy

11th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

$52B semiconductor investment intended to rejuvenate American manufacturing dlvr.it/SWPqHQ

10th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

How capital improvement project prioritization helps secure infrastructure funding dlvr.it/SWLQB7

9th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Climate bill lauded; predicted to reduce nation’s carbon foot print by 40% within decade dlvr.it/SWHGQL

8th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments dlvr.it/SW7N74

5th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

Investing in America’s onsite wastewater treatment systems for equity and sustainability dlvr.it/SW4Mb9

4th August 2022
AmerCityCounty

With passage of PACT Act, veterans service officers are preparing for an influx in applicants dlvr.it/SW4KTg

4th August 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X