Internet Security and Privacy

Security and privacy issues are incredibly important for all Internet users, and both personal computers and business networks will benefit from the appropriate protection, shields, and safeguards against unnecessary hack attacks. With the rise in computer viruses, worms, and potential system threats, there are many ways that computers can become dangerously vulnerable to a virus infection or unauthorized access. Internet security involves creating a strong firewall, using the appropriate antivirus software and security programs, and continually monitoring the computer system for necessary updates and patches.

Keeping personal records and sensitive information confidential is important for thousands of Internet users and computer database systems. From medical information to banking records, the Internet is a portal to a variety of secure and sometimes insecure networks where data is exchanged. Many companies use extensive encryption technology and specific programs that make it difficult for hackers to gain access to these files. Others may not have highly secure networks that will limit threats and may even increase vulnerability risk. This is especially common for ordinary home users and small businesses.

Privacy rights enforced by the government are pending action in a variety of domains and industries, although protecting users’ sensitive information is a top priority for many companies. Data mining, phishing scams, keystroke logging and virus outbreaks are all components of threats that can extract and disseminate sensitive information. This may range from customer profiles, business plans and secrets, or a variety of important documents that need to be maintained in a confidential and highly secure place, to bank account numbers, user names and passwords.

Online hackers and thieves are prevalent on the Internet today, and software programs that can protect keystroke logging and file extraction are available. Simple correspondence such as an exchange of financial information, addresses, telephone numbers, and account information can be highly valuable to criminals and hackers on the web. Crimeware is used by cybercriminals with the data and identity theft as a main goal. Once this type of data is obtained, it would be used for accessing accounts at financial institutions and other organizations where illegal financial gain could be accomplished. Many cases of illegal fund transfers caused by such activity have been reported.

Samples of crimeware are:

Keystroke logging for user names and passwords
False web addresses where a users enter their credential believing they do it on regular web site of their financial institution. Have you ever received an email from a bank or eBay asking to click onto link and log on to ensure the security of your account? Never do that!
Unauthorized remote access that allows hackers to misuse network and data.

Crimeware is based on a set of software programs that can be installed without the user’s knowledge. It can be delivered to a computer in ways like:

Email messages,
Viruses like Trojans which would exploit a vulnerability of your web browser or other application,
Peer-To-Peer networks where many free for download files are not what they are claimed to be.

This type of program will open up security holes on a user’s computer so that hackers and other scammers can easily view important information, or download it to their location with little effort.

Keeping passwords protected is important for both personal and business users. Passwords can be keylogged or tracked by various computer crimeware programs, and will result in illegal and unauthorized access of accounts, files, and entire network systems. Site verification and authentication is an important step when reviewing or visiting suspicious websites as these sites may be fraudulent or imitations of real sites, and will encourage users to enter personal information and data that they use in normal circumstances. Once this data has been captured, it can be used on the ‘real’ site to gain access into the user’s bank account or similar.

Security holes are vulnerabilities within the computer program that may be manipulated to view data, copy key files from a computer system, and attack important program files. Copying dangerous files from or to your computer through these security holes is a common practice of hackers, which may result in very destructive consequences. The holes are a breach of security that may be entered by hackers and unauthorized users, and can lead to corrupt files, system instability, complete data removal or identity theft.

Increasing Internet security privacy is an important part of healthy computer habits and preventing risks of viruses and data mining. Losing critical or sensitive information through a security breach is a vulnerable condition for both personal and business networks, but the appropriate software and programs can help protect valuable information such as credit cards, social security numbers, passwords, files and much more.