TIPS ON INTERNET AND WEB SECURITY
Some years ago, the Internet was something only the "professionals"talked about. It was a new limitless source of information, with very few users. Today, the Internet has already become an essential part of our lives. It’s where we access our banking records, credit card statements, tax returns and other highly sensitive personal information. By the end of this decade, over 2 billion people will be connected to the Internet—that’s about half the world’s current population.
But with all the good things the Internet offers us, it also opens the door to serious, potentially devastat- ing threats. Unlike corporate and government com puter systems, few personal computers have any safeguards beyond basic virus protection. That means anytime you’re online, you are a potential tar- get for online criminals and hackers. And if you have high-speed Internet access, your computer is online most of the time, making Internet criminals and hackers a 24-hour-a-day, year-round threat to you, your personal information, and your family.
UNDERSTANDING HOW THE INTERNET WORKS AND SECURITY THREATS IT EXPOSES YOU TO FACE
When you log on to the Internet, your computer sends a message over the Web that uniquely identifies your computer and where it is located. This allows the information you’ve requested to be returned to you. Often, this requested information carries with it unwanted hidden software created by hackers and online criminals. This software installs itself on your computer and can either be just a nuisance or pose a more serious threat to you, your identity and sen- sitive financial information. Usually the nuisances are visible and easy to identify, while the more dan- gerous threats are typically invisible, silent, and difficult to detect until it’s too late. The key to a safe, enjoyable Internet experience is understanding the difference between what’s a threat and what isn’t.
SOME MEASURES THAT HACKERS USES
Cookies, pop-ups, and adware are tools that track your online behavior, Cookies, pop-ups, and adware are tools that track your online behavior, and are used to promote var- ious products. Many cookies are harmless online information gathering and tracking tools. The major- ity of adware consists of pop-up ads that are merely unsolicited nuisances. The problem is that hack- ers and online criminals are increasingly using cookies and adware to quietly sneak onto your comput- er and to access your personal information without your knowledge. This “spyware” watches and records everything you do online, leaving your passwords, private account information, and other per- sonal and sensitive information vulnerable.
Once captured, this information can be sent back to online criminals for use in accessing your private information, stealing your identity, and your money. It can also be used to highjack your computer for illegal purposes. Spyware finds its way to your computer through:
• Web sites you browse on the Internet.
• Adware and pop-ups that load onto your computer.
• Results of your Internet searches.
• Unusual eCommerce sites you visit.
• Software you download onto your computer from the Internet.
• Weaknesses in the operating system software you’re using.
If you’re even a casual computer user, chances are you’ve heard about viruses and what they can do to your computer. Viruses are serious threats that attack your computer and data, and generally dis- rupt your life; but they aren’t used to steal your sensitive personal information. Internet criminals cre- ate spyware to do this. They want you to believe that anti-virus software is all the protection you need. As important as it is to your security, anti-virus software can’t detect or stop this newer, more sophis- ticated threat from entering your computer. Stopping spyware requires even greater protection.
SYMPTOMS OF SECURITY THREATS
(1). Increasing amounts of unsolicited email—This increase in email is a result of personal information collected by cookie programs that is sent back to the cookie originator, and then sold to other online marketing organizations.
(2)• Unwanted pop-up advertising—The software that causes pop-ups to appear on your computer is a form of spyware, and is loaded on your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain Web sites.
(3)• Browser homepage changes without your knowledge—Certain Web sites will load cookies onto your computer that automatically change your homepage to their Web site. It is an annoyance that happens frequently to Internet users.
(4)• Your computer operates slower than it has in the past—Spyware loaded onto your computer uses the same computer memory that is needed to run your more important software programs. This results in a competition for memory in your computer, causing all of your more critical software pro- grams to run more slowly.
HOW TO SOLVE SECURITY THREATS ISSUES
The following process, in conjunction with good, comprehensive anti-virus software will help you pro- tect your family and your personal information from these and many other Internet threats.
Step One: Find out what’s already on your computer.
The first thing you need to do is to find out whether or not you have spyware or other threatening soft- ware on your computer. This requires a good, comprehensive Internet security analysis tool that com- pletely scans your computer for hidden files that would pose a danger or compromise the security of your personal information. The right scanning software will identify Trojan Horses, system monitors, adware, cookies and other dangerous spyware threats and will also review the Web sites that have been visited by anyone using your computer and alert you to any inappropriate content found on them. After a scan has been completed you’ll have a better idea of how secure your computer, personal infor- mation, and family actually are.
Step Two: Get rid of the threats.
Once the threats found on your computer have been identified, it’s important to eliminate them as soon as possible. Every minute you wait increases the chances of you becoming a victim of financial and identity theft. This step requires that you use a solid anti-spyware software program which can isolate and eliminate the cookies, adware, system monitors, Trojan Horses, and other dangerous spyware found on your computer. Correctly using the right anti-spyware software will leave your computer free of these dangerous threats
Step Three: Build a protective wall around your computer.
Once you’ve eliminated all the potentially dangerous programs and cookies from your computer, you’ll want to stay threat- free by adding a crucial safeguard called a firewall.
A firewall’s job is a lot like the thick walls of a castle. It provides a barrier between you and potential attackers trying to access your computer. It acts as a draw- bridge, allowing only communication you control to pass through the gates of your Internet connection. An effective firewall blocks outside intruders who try to access your computer without your permission, giving you the added assurance that your personal information is guarded and safe.
Step Four: Filter out the Internet junk.
No one cares more about the safety and protection of your family than you do. Operators of Web-based businesses that deal in inappropriate Web-content and pornography set out with the goal of getting as many sets of eyes viewing their Web sites as possible, regardless of whether they belong to adults or children. The only sure way to protect those you care about is to manage the content and use of your computer yourself.
The most effective and efficient way to gain total control of your computer content is to install a proven Web-filtering software program (also known as “parental control” software). Good Web-filtering soft- ware lets you decide what’s permitted onto your computer through your browser and what will be denied access. Web-filtering software gives you the extra peace of mind that your family is safe from the barrage of unwanted content and messages that exist online.
SOME TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNET AND WEB SECURITY
Adware—A form of spyware. Displays the “pop-up” ads you’ve seen on your computer. Advertisers use it to generate online revenue and exposure. Adware installs components that gather personal informa- tion without informing you that it’s doing so.Broadband—High-speed Internet connection typically offered by cable and phone companies. Without adequate Internet security, Broadband users are constantly at risk of online security threats because their computers are always connected to the Internet.
Cookies—Bits of information secretly stored on your computer allowing others to monitor your Internet activities. This spyware is often used to gather information on your Web-surfing habits to help compa- nies create better marketing strategies. However, many send information to online criminals who would use it to harm you.
Firewall—Software that sets up a defense barrier around your computer so that hackers and online criminals cannot access the information on your computer.
Hackers—Individuals with computer and Internet skill levels sufficient enough to break security set- tings on personal computers and servers over the Internet. Some hackers do it for recreation, others for malicious intent.
Identity Theft—Occurs when a criminal obtains and uses another individual’s personal information (social security numbers, financial account information, etc.) to use his or her identity for illegal purposes. They then conduct fraudulent activities in the victim’s name.
ISP—Internet Service Provider. An organization that offers Internet access to customers.
Phishing—A hoax where Internet criminals send out false emails in the name of a legitimate organization in order to trick victims into sending personal information back to be used in identity theft crimes.
Spam—Unsolicited promotional email.
Spyware—Dangerous software that collects information about your computer activities. It sends that information to others without your knowledge or permission. Once on your computer, spyware installs itself and starts working. It’s difficult to detect, and often impossible for average users to remove. Types of spyware include tracking cookies, adware, Trojan Horses, and system monitors.
System Monitors—Spyware that observes and captures keystrokes of virtually everything you do on your computer—including passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers, emails and chat room dialogs. It also monitors the Web sites you’ve visited, and programs you’ve run. They usually run unnoticed, storing the information on your computer in a secret file to be retrieved later.
Trojan Horses—Spyware that is often disguised as harmless or even desirable programs, but is actually designed to cause loss or theft of computer data and to destroy computer systems. They usually arrive as email attachments or bundled with other software. Some give attackers unrestricted access to your com- puter anytime you’re online, allowing file transfers, adding or deleting of files and programs, and taking control of your mouse and keyboard.
Virus—A software program written to disrupt comput- er systems and to destroy data—viruses are the most well known Internet security threat.
Worms—Similar to viruses but much more dangerous. They spread rapidly by accessing your email address book and automatically forwarding themselves to every address it contains. Current anti-virus software can’t find worms once they’ve been loaded onto your system.
Web filtering—A software tool that allows computer users to determine which Web content they will allow onto your computer through their browser.
