NOTE: A set of PowerPoint slides explaining Collaborative Securityis available for use in presentations.

People are what ultimately hold the Internet together. The Internets development has been based on voluntary cooperation and collaboration. Cooperation and collaboration remain the essential factors for the Internets prosperity and potential.

Collaborative Security is an approach that is characterized by five key elements:

Achieving security objectives, while preserving these fundamental properties, rights and values is the real challenge of cybersecurity strategy. The design and implementation of security solutions should be undertaken with consideration as to the potential effect they might have these fundamentals.

Everyone has a collective responsibility for the security of the Internet: multistakeholder cross-border collaboration is an essential component.

Commercial competition, politics and personal motivation play a role in how well collaboration happens. But, as collaborative efforts have demonstrated, differences can be overcome to cooperate against a threat. Such voluntary as-needed working for the benefit of everyone collaboration is remarkable for its scalability and its ability to adapt to changing conditions and evolving threats, yielding unprecedented efficacy.

Informed by these reflections, we introduce the term Collaborative Security to describe our approach for tackling Internet security issues.

Collaborative Security is an approach that is characterized by five key elements. These are described below.

1. Preserving opportunities and building confidence

The Internet enables opportunities for human, social and economic development on a global scale. Those opportunities will only be realized if Internet participants have confidence [2] that they can use the Internet for secure, reliable, private communication all across the world.

A security paradigm for the Internet should be premised on fostering confidence and protecting opportunities for economic and social prosperity, as opposed to a model that is based simply on preventing perceived harm. Moreover, security solutions should advance that objective in design, and in practice. Otherwise, security solutions may go too far, thereby jeopardizing the very infrastructure that ties together the global economy, and provides the engine for its growth.

2. Collective Responsibility

The Internet is a global interconnected network of networks. It is, in effect, a global common resource and a highly interdependent system. Participation on the Internet means global interdependency.

In an interconnected interdependent system, no one participant can achieve absolute security. And, no security solution exists in isolation. There will always be threats, so it is useful to consider security in terms of residual risks that are considered acceptable in a specific context.

Internet security depends not only on how well participants manage security risks they face, but also, importantly, how they manage security risks that they may pose to others (whether through their action or inaction) the outward risks.

These factors mean that Internet participants have:

Furthermore, if Internet participants act independently and solely in their own self-interest, not only will the security of the Internet be impacted: the overall pool of social and economic potential that the Internet offers the global community will also diminish. Therefore, Internet participants need to see this as a long-term investment for the benefit of everyone.

Note: The scope of collective responsibility extends to the system as a whole: it is not the same as asking everyone to be responsible for their part of the ecosystem. Therefore, collective responsibility requires a common understanding of the problem, shared solutions, common benefits, and open communication channels [3].

Multistakeholder cross-border collaboration is an important component of collective responsibility. Its success depends on trustful relationships between nations, between citizens and their government, between operators, service providers, and across all stakeholders.

3. Security solutions should be fully integrated with rights and the open Internet

Security solutions should be fully integrated with the important objectives of preserving the fundamental properties of the Internet (open standards, voluntary collaboration, reusable building blocks, integrity, permission-free innovation and global reach (also known as the Internet Invariants [4]) and fundamental human rights, values and expectations (e.g. privacy, freedom of expression).

Any security solution is likely to have an effect on the Internets operation and development, as well as users rights and expectations. Such effects may be positive or negative. From our perspective, it is important to find solutions that support the Internet Invariants and fundamental rights and values.

4. Security solutions need to be grounded in experience, developed by consensus and evolutionary in outlook

Security solutions need to be flexible enough to evolve over time. We know that technology is going to change and threats will adapt to take advantage of new platforms and protocols. Therefore, solutions need to be responsive to new challenges.

Like a human body that may suffer from viruses, but gets stronger and more resilient as a result, new technologies, solutions and cooperative efforts that build on lessons-learned make the Internet more resilient to threats.

Experience shows us that, in a quickly evolving system such as the Internet, an open consensus-based participatory approach is the most robust, flexible and agile.

Partial solutions and staged deployment are important and should be taken seriously. A collection of incremental solutions may be more effective in practice than a grand design. Even if an approach does not solve the problem completely, it might help to contain it, or to change the economic equation significantly enough, so as to make the vulnerability much less attractive to malicious actors.

The focus needs to be put on defining the agreed problem and finding the solution. We also need to make space for the new, the innovative and the odd. We need to be prepared to test disruptive or non-traditional ideas.

In the end a process, which draws upon the interests and expertise of a broad set of stakeholders is likely to be the surest path to success.

5. Targeting the point of maximum impact: think globally, act locally

Security is not achieved by a single treaty or piece of legislation; it is not solved by a single technical fix, nor can it come about because one company, government or actor decides security is important.

Creating security and trust in the Internet requires different players (within their different responsibilities and roles) to take action, closest to where the issues are occurring.

Typically, for greater effectiveness and efficiency, solutions should be defined and implemented by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent community [5] at the point in the system where they can have the most impact.

Such communities are frequently spontaneously formed in a bottom-up, self-organizing fashion around specific issues (e.g. spam, or routing security) or a locality (e.g. protection of critical national infrastructure or security of an Internet exchange).

As much as possible, solutions should be based on interoperable building-blocks e.g. industry-accepted standards, best practices and approaches.

We believe that this Collaborative Security approach for addressing Internet security issues is critical for ensuring the future of the open Internet as a driver for social and economic innovation. As a network of networks without centralized control, the security of the Internet cannot be maintained by any single entity or organization. It is important that these issues be addressed by all stakeholders in a spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility in ways that do not undermine the global architecture of the Internet or curtail human rights. The Internet is for everyone: lets work together to realize its full potential.

[1]See Internet Invariants: What Really Matters http://www.internetsociety.org/internet-invariants-what-really-matters

[2]In this context, an Internet participants confidence is formed, among other things, taking into account the degree of perceived security risk associated with using the Internet and whether that degree of risk is acceptable while protecting opportunities for economic and social prosperity. A better understanding of actual risks and how to reduce them to an acceptable level are two main factors that build confidence.

[3]Please refer to Understanding Security and Resilience of the Internet http://www.internetsociety.org/sites/default/files/bp-securityandresilience-20130711.pdf

[4]See Internet Invariants: What Really Matters http://www.internetsociety.org/internet-invariants-what-really-matters

[5]In politics, such approach is called a Subsidiarity principle: Solutions should be defined and implemented by smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. We feel that the word community better matches the sense of bottom-up development. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidiarity

Read more about specific examples: Introducing Collaborative Security, our approach to Internet security issues by Internet Society CITO Olaf Kolkmann

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Collaborative Security: An approach to tackling Internet ...

Best (Premium) Internet Security Software

It's a cruel world out there, with no shortage of malware, ransomware and phishing attacks to swoop in and steal your data, money and personal information. So whats the best way to protect your devices and preserve your peace of mind?

The answer is to build the tallest and thickest wall around your digital life with a premium antivirus suite. Based on our extensive testing, weve determined that your best option is Kaspersky Total Security. It offers not only excellent malware detection, but also has webcam protection and a sandboxed browser for safe online banking and shopping.

Premium antivirus products cost upward of $100 per year, but they offer many extra features that low-cost or free antivirus programs don't have. Their product licenses often cover multiple installations on several platforms including Mac, Android, iOS and, sometimes, Windows Phone although other platforms' software may be more limited. The most cost-effective premium packages offer all-you-can-scan plans, with unlimited device installations across multiple platforms.

All eight products below include parental controls and password managers, and give users online accounts to remotely manage antivirus software on all of their devices. Most of these programs also offer two-way firewalls, system optimizers, file shredders, file encryption and specialized web browsers hardened against infection or hijacking.

A few have anti-theft features to help you track down a lost or stolen laptop, and/or dedicated protection for webcams and specialized defenses against ransomware encryption. Some also include non-security-related features, such as backup software or online storage.

We've done extensive evaluations on eight of the latest flagship antivirus suites from Bitdefender, ESET, F-Secure, Kaspersky Lab, McAfee, Norton, Panda Security and Trend Micro. We installed the latest version of each suite on an Asus X555LA laptop running fully patched 64-bit Windows 10 on an Intel Core i3 processor. The laptop had 6GB of RAM and 36GB of files on a 500GB hard drive.

To assess each suite's ability to protect against malware, we used the most recent sets of antivirus-software evaluations conducted on Windows 7 and Windows 10 by Germany's AV-TEST lab. The lab routinely subjects programs from about 20 of the world's leading antivirus makers to onslaughts of both widespread malware and less common, but more dangerous, zero-day malware. We also used results of tests by Austrian lab AV-Comparatives, which every month exposes top antivirus products to current online malware.

Our OpenOffice performance test measures system performance by timing how long a spreadsheet program takes to match 20,000 names and addresses. We ran the test multiple times during each of four scenarios: before a program was installed, after installation but while not scanning, during a full scan and during a quick scan.

We also considered the number and usefulness of each programs additional security and privacy features, as well as their setups, interfaces and ease of use.

[Editor's Note: Best Buy has removed Kaspersky Lab products from its shelves, citing concerns regarding Kaspersky's alleged (but as yet undocumented) ties to the Russian government. However, until we see evidence that Kaspersky software is a threat to consumers, we will continue to recommend it. Here is further clarification of our position.]

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Best Internet Security 2017 - Total Security Software for ...

Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a Internet security administrator. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about schooling, job duties and certification to find out if this is the career for you.

Internet security administrators are the security professionals who specialize in protecting businesses from cyber attacks on their computer systems from hackers and viruses. They will typically have a bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science though their background in computer security is equally important. With businesses becoming more and more reliant on computer technology, the need for internet security administrators are on the rise with an expected growth rate of 18 percent for the next decade.

Internet security administrators are responsible for protecting computer systems against attack. Due to an increasing number of cyber attacks on computer systems, this industry has grown, and Internet security administrators are in higher demand. Although most security administrators hold bachelor's degrees, in this field, a combination of professional experience, knowledge of internet and network systems, and industry certifications often outweigh formal education credentials.

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Internet security administrators are also known as computer security specialists, network security analysts or Internet security specialists. The security administrator handles all aspects of information security. They teach others about computer security, check for security violations, install protection software and take action against cyber attacks. In some cases, an Internet security administrator may provide evidence of a cyber attack to prosecute individuals for breaching security.

Security administrators are known for their communication skills, as well as their ability to detect and analyze problems. Once a problem is detected, Internet security administrators are expected to quickly and accurately find a solution.

Most Internet security administrators work full-time. They are sometimes asked to work on-call in case of an emergency. Since data security threats continue to be of concern, employment opportunities for information security analysts are expected to grow a faster-than-average 18% from 2014-2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS further states that most of these professionals made between $51,280 and $143,770 per year in 2015.

Usually Internet security administrator positions require a bachelor's degree, but not necessarily in a related field. Common majors found in the field may include information technology, computer science and information systems. Although a bachelor's degree is beneficial, some employers may not require one. Many employers may find work experience and certification sufficient for many entry-level positions.

Certification is viewed as an industry standard. Internet security administrators are expected to stay up-to-date with current technology, so continuing education is also important. Individuals can find certification and continuing education courses on a variety of topics including:

Internet security administrators are security professionals who specialize in providing companies guidance on their internal security procedures and detect any weaknesses in their computer network that make them vulnerable to cyber attacks. While there are degrees offered in information technology and information systems, interested individuals who can also pursue certifications that keep them up-to-date with current technology. This is a growing industry where those employed can earn a possible salary anywhere between $51,280 to $143,770 a year.

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Internet Security Administrator: Job Description and Requirements

Computer Virus, Malware, Spyware and Adware: Whats the Difference?

Viruses, spyware, and adware are all malware with distinct differences. All of them do damage to legitimate computer users but they fall into different categories depending on the intent of their attack.

Viruses are a bit of malicious code that is secretly included in an application you decide to download. It replicates itself to infect other computers. Eventually, the virus is activated for its purpose: deleting important files, corrupting information, or randomly shutting off your computer.

Spyware is malicious software that gets installed without the user even knowing about it. This is usually the most dangerous form of attack. It invades your internet security to find sensitive information from your computer and sell it for a price on the black market.

Adware, on the other hand, is a unique form of software specifically written to produce popup ads. The popups can start as the user uses a certain application, when they visit a particular website online, or simply as soon as they boot up their computer. The most deceptive form of adware shows a popup telling the user their computer is infected and that they need to install antivirus software.

Computers and the internet are now almost a necessity in every day life. We email and chat with friends and family far away. We watch our favorite shows or how to videos to troubleshoot a problem. A lot of us even bank or shop online.

Whenever youve connected to the internet, you are opening up your private information to the world. Once online, computer viruses and malware find ways to infect your computer without your knowledge. Antivirus software provides the best virus protection and will remove any malware found on your computer.

You might already know that Microsoft Windows includes a basic form of antivirus. If you have Microsoft Windows 7 or earlier, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials, which will provide some basic protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. Microsoft Security Essentials are upgraded and renamed to Windows Defender in Microsoft Windows 8 and later. For example, the standard antivirus for Windows 10 is Windows Defender.

The bottom line is that Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender are free and does a reasonable job. But being free has limitations too. Support is limited (if any at all) and might not catch the very latest cyber threats. If the files on your computer are important (e.g. work documents, cherish family pictures, etc) we recommend that you pay for the best antivirus software. That way youll get the up-to-date protection to keep you safe.

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Best Antivirus Software, Internet Security & Malware Removal

Norton Security represents Symantec's next step in terms of PC safety and malware prevention.It is a different product than Norton Internet Security, as Norton Security offers multi-device protection and secure backup features. For those unfamiliarized with Norton, the software utility is designed to prevent, identify and remove files infected with viruses, Trojans, worms, rootkits and other kinds of malicious traces, in addition to some safety measures concerning online navigation.

Setting up Security should be a fast and painless task to any user, since the tool is not flexible when it comes to handpicking the components; everything is installed by default.

Sharing its look with Norton AntiVirus, Security's interface is mostly user-friendly, although some of its options could have been better put together. Most security modules can be activated and deactivated with one click, as well as configured in detailed by advanced users. Terminology could be an issue in some cases, since Norton adopts unique names to describe proprietary technologies.

Settings may be customized in detail for Norton Security by defining the scanning scope, such as compressed files, rootkits and stealth items, network drives, heuristics protection, low-risk threats, tracking cookies, scan scheduler, file and virus signature exclusions, and so on.

The real-time protection module has all components turned on by default. Norton is able to prevent spyware from infiltrating into the system while keeping an eye out for suspicious removable media devices and network locations. It can also scan Windows autostart entries at every boot sequence and hide notifications to let users carry on with normal PC activity without any intrusions.

All traffic between the computer and other systems can be temporarily blocked, while intrusion signatures can be customized to give passes to any items. The application monitors incoming and outgoing messages in email clients, and also features a personal firewall for network traffic, apps with tailored Internet access rules, and so on.

Online navigation is ensured by Norton, since it oversees web addresses and notifies users on malware-infected or suspicious links. It also keeps track of downloaded files and includes an identity safe to hold all confidential data in one place (e.g. autofill forms, credit card info). What's more, users are protected from phishing websites whose purpose is to steal transactional data.

Thanks to the cloud technology used, Norton Security finishes scan jobs faster than many other av products. It is mostly successful concerning identified and removed malware files, and regularly receives virus definition updates. CPU and RAM consumption is generally low. Although less experienced users are likely to get lost in translation when trying to figure our each features, advanced ones will probably find Norton Security worthwhile.

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Norton Internet Security - softpedia.com