Hackers & SPAM & Worms - Oh my! Understand The Threats & Protect Yourself Against The Criminals
How do you feel about Internet Security Issues? Everyone has a different level of understanding about the issues. You obviously care enough to read this lens and find out how you can protect yourself, and that's good!
This lens was created for you, so lets first look at what are Internet Security Issues and then how you can protect yourself.
This lens was created for you, so lets first look at what are Internet Security Issues and then how you can protect yourself.
What Are The Internet Security Issues?
Understand what the threats are - Ignorance is no excuse!
"One man sees the dirty window; the other sees the beautiful view"
The internet is your window to the world. The opportunities are endless.
Internet security issues and online crime ranges from petty vandalism to deliberate theft. Criminals and vandals attempt to spoil your internet experience in several ways.
It's important you understand how, so let's look at this now.
Hoax emails (sometimes known as Phishing) appear to come from a legitimate company asking to confirm your details or passwords either by return email or a webpage link.
Hackers use their technical skills and special software to gain unauthorized access to your computer. They may steal files and personal details. Gain access to your internet service and even destroy your computer.
Non-genuine websites (sometimes known as Phishing) claim to offer quality products or services. The purpose of these websites is to steal your credit card details or email address when you place an order or submit your details on the website to receive an offer.
SPAM (Self Promotional Advertising Message) is unsolicited email, now illegal in many countries and banned by many ISP's (Internet Service Providers).
Trojans & Spyware is software that hides within a legitimate looking application or utility on your computer. Once installed a Trojan can launch itself and act like or provide access for a hacker. Spyware installs itself on your computer and sends reports on your computer activity back to its host.
Viruses & Worms are software applications often spread via email and infect your computer. Once installed they can steal email addresses from your contact list and then the virus will attempt to infect other computers via those email addresses.
Probably the most concerning of the internet security issues for you is identity theft.
An informative (easy to read) summary of the Javelin Strategy & Research Center's annual identity theft report can be found http://www.spendonlife.com/guide/2009-identity-theft-statistics.
The summary explains
"Identity theft is defined as the process of using someone else's personal information for your own personal gain."
"Low-tech methods for stealing personal information are still the most popular for identity thieves. Stolen wallets and physical documents accounted for 43% of all identity theft, while online methods accounted for only 11%."
While the online methods are minimal this does not suggest you can be complacent. The effects of internet security issues can be devastating, time consuming and expensive.
Now that you are aware of the internet security issues, like any life experience you need to learn how to minimize the risks.
What are the best ways to protect your online security?
READ ON down the page...
The internet is your window to the world. The opportunities are endless.
Internet security issues and online crime ranges from petty vandalism to deliberate theft. Criminals and vandals attempt to spoil your internet experience in several ways.
It's important you understand how, so let's look at this now.
Hoax emails (sometimes known as Phishing) appear to come from a legitimate company asking to confirm your details or passwords either by return email or a webpage link.
Hackers use their technical skills and special software to gain unauthorized access to your computer. They may steal files and personal details. Gain access to your internet service and even destroy your computer.
Non-genuine websites (sometimes known as Phishing) claim to offer quality products or services. The purpose of these websites is to steal your credit card details or email address when you place an order or submit your details on the website to receive an offer.
SPAM (Self Promotional Advertising Message) is unsolicited email, now illegal in many countries and banned by many ISP's (Internet Service Providers).
Trojans & Spyware is software that hides within a legitimate looking application or utility on your computer. Once installed a Trojan can launch itself and act like or provide access for a hacker. Spyware installs itself on your computer and sends reports on your computer activity back to its host.
Viruses & Worms are software applications often spread via email and infect your computer. Once installed they can steal email addresses from your contact list and then the virus will attempt to infect other computers via those email addresses.
Probably the most concerning of the internet security issues for you is identity theft.
An informative (easy to read) summary of the Javelin Strategy & Research Center's annual identity theft report can be found http://www.spendonlife.com/guide/2009-identity-theft-statistics.
The summary explains
"Identity theft is defined as the process of using someone else's personal information for your own personal gain."
"Low-tech methods for stealing personal information are still the most popular for identity thieves. Stolen wallets and physical documents accounted for 43% of all identity theft, while online methods accounted for only 11%."
While the online methods are minimal this does not suggest you can be complacent. The effects of internet security issues can be devastating, time consuming and expensive.
Now that you are aware of the internet security issues, like any life experience you need to learn how to minimize the risks.
What are the best ways to protect your online security?
READ ON down the page...
How Can You Protect Myself?
Against the vandals and the criminals!
Why you need a firewall!
Firewall software properly setup and maintained will protect your computer from hackers, trojans, spyware and more.
Close open ports!
Check your firewall software blocks access to your computer open ports (numbers your computer uses to refer to external services like your web browser and email software) if it doesn't close them!
Why you need anti-virus protection!
Antivirus software once again setup and maintained will scans disks, downloads, files etc. helping find possible infections before they cause damage.
Keep your passwords private!
You've heard this before - choose passwords which can not be easily guessed, do not share them and update them regularly.
When it's okay to share your details!
Only share personal and financial details including your email address when you know and trust the people or company you are sharing with.
When it's NOT okay to share your details!
Never share your details in a chat room! Scammers constantly search these sites for details.
How to know a web page is secure!
Before entering your credit card details on a website check for the following three things!
1. Look at the start of the URL (or webpage address) on the browser window (or address bar) does it start with http:// or https:// The "s" in the second example indicates the webpage uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt the data for transmission from otherwise plain text data.
2. Look for the secure link "lock" icon at the bottom of your web browser (NOT the webpage), click on it or hover over it, to view the details of the sites security.
3. Many SSL vendors will also provide a "site seal" to website owners to display. These site seal should be highly visibly, difficult to duplicate, often they will display the date and time and offer a verification functionality where you can click on it or hover over them to view detailed information about the site you are viewing.
Beware email attachments!
Immediately delete emails you receive from unknown senders. If you do trust the sender, copy any attachments to your desktop so that your anti-virus software can check them for potential threats before opening them.
Excessive internet usage!
Monitor your internet usage, unexpected excessive usage may indicate you have an issue.
Firewall software properly setup and maintained will protect your computer from hackers, trojans, spyware and more.
Close open ports!
Check your firewall software blocks access to your computer open ports (numbers your computer uses to refer to external services like your web browser and email software) if it doesn't close them!
Why you need anti-virus protection!
Antivirus software once again setup and maintained will scans disks, downloads, files etc. helping find possible infections before they cause damage.
Keep your passwords private!
You've heard this before - choose passwords which can not be easily guessed, do not share them and update them regularly.
When it's okay to share your details!
Only share personal and financial details including your email address when you know and trust the people or company you are sharing with.
When it's NOT okay to share your details!
Never share your details in a chat room! Scammers constantly search these sites for details.
How to know a web page is secure!
Before entering your credit card details on a website check for the following three things!
1. Look at the start of the URL (or webpage address) on the browser window (or address bar) does it start with http:// or https:// The "s" in the second example indicates the webpage uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt the data for transmission from otherwise plain text data.
2. Look for the secure link "lock" icon at the bottom of your web browser (NOT the webpage), click on it or hover over it, to view the details of the sites security.
3. Many SSL vendors will also provide a "site seal" to website owners to display. These site seal should be highly visibly, difficult to duplicate, often they will display the date and time and offer a verification functionality where you can click on it or hover over them to view detailed information about the site you are viewing.
Beware email attachments!
Immediately delete emails you receive from unknown senders. If you do trust the sender, copy any attachments to your desktop so that your anti-virus software can check them for potential threats before opening them.
Excessive internet usage!
Monitor your internet usage, unexpected excessive usage may indicate you have an issue.
Products From Amazon
On Internet Security Issues
Videos From YouTube
On Internet Security Issues
Crime: The Real Internet Security Problem
Google TechTalks January 24, 2006 Phillip Hallam-Baker Dr Hallam-Baker is a leading designer or Internet security protocols and has made substantial contributions to the HTTP Digest Authentication mechanism, XKMS, SAML and WS-Security. He is currently working on the DKIM email signing protocol, federated identity systems and completing his first book, The dotCrime Manifesto which sets out a comprehensive strategy for defeating Internet crime. Dr Hallam-Baker has a degree in Electronic ...
Runtime: 58:19 | 6269 views | 5 Comments
automatically generated by YouTube
& Elsewhere In The Media
What's the news of today?
- In Shift, US Talks to Russia on Internet Security
- ... even in absence of a designated Internet security chief, is breaking with the Bush administration, which declined to talk with Russia about issues ...
- INTELLIGENCE: Enlisting Lowlifes In the Fight Against China
- The Chinese have been particularly keen to obtain the latest corporate Internet security and user management software. This stuff has been a key component ...
- World Cup and broadband access raise IT security issues
- Egypt shot to the top of listings for malicious activity in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2008 after the government prioritised internet ...
- Video Boxes, 'Notbooks' and E-Books to Dominate Gadgets in 2010
- And it's the rise of internet video that is making this happy day possible. If you've seen an episode of Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long then you know that the ...
Did you learn something?
If you found this lens informative please rate it or leave me a comment!
Did I miss something you want to share with others, let us know!
& remember the stat from above
"Stolen wallets and physical documents accounted for 43% of all identity theft, while online methods accounted for only 11%."
Do you lock your letter box? Do you shred your documents before putting them in the recycling? You should!
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- downloadinfoproducts downloadinfoproducts Sep 23, 2009 @ 11:52 am
- I really like your security lens. I even rated and added you as a fan! Keep up the good work! Todd
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- MissyandGruber MissyandGruber Sep 4, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
- Nice lens! Your information is very clearly presented, and appreciated!
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- prosperity66 prosperity66 Aug 14, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
- Nice lens and very informative!
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- homebasedangell homebasedangell Aug 14, 2009 @ 8:26 am
- Very good info on Internet Security! I have a very informative visit.
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