The treat of online security: How safe is our data?

The world is kept on changing rapidly and improving every minute, many things can be done easily by using internet. Nowadays, computer has become part of our life no matter is a student or worker even housewife also will using computer to spend their leisure time.

Computer has became the best place to store our data and information but it also raise the issue that hacker who create virus or tools to hack into company’s computer in order to get those confidential data. Normally, the hackers will spread viruses through e-mail attachment and those viruses are being hid by hacker inside the documents. In fact, visiting the site may also attacked by the virus. Those viruses can be categorized into Trojan horse, worm, spy ware and etc.

Many internet users display more of their personal information on social networking web sites, and office workers upload more sensitive data to online software programs, it makes computer hackers devise small attacks that can fly under the radar of traditional security software to pry that information loose. As a result, the personal information of the users may be embezzled and the undisclosed financial data may be stolen by hackers because those intellectual properties can be sold for a lot of money.

Even if you connected to the internet only to play games or send email to friends and family, your computer may be a target. It is because hackers or crackers may be able to cause damage to your computer by changing your data or reformatting your hard drive. Also, some software applications have default settings that allow other users to access your computer. For example, web browsers could allow someone to place harmful programs on your computer that run when you click on them.

On my opinion, users should be careful when access to internet and do not simply give away any sensitive personal information like account number, log-in information via e-mail or instant message or password. This blog may affect your confidence to the online transaction, but if we properly safeguard our data, the security of internet is still considering as reasonably secured.

References:
Major Online Security Threats.
http://www.net-security-training.co.uk/major-online-threats.html

Phishing: Examples and its prevention methods

In computing, phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging, and often directs users to enter details at a website, although phone contact has also been used. PayPal, eBay and online banks are the common targets.

Examples: Paypal

In an example PayPal phish (right), spelling mistakes in the e-mail and the presence of an IP address in the link are both clues that this is a phishing attempt. Another giveaway is the lack of a personal greeting, although the presence of personal details would not be a guarantee of legitimacy. Other signs that the message is a fraud are misspellings of simple words and the threat of consequences such as account suspension if the recipient fails to comply with the message’s requests.

There are some methods to prevent phishing (anti-phishing):

1. DON’T use the links in an instant message, an email or chat to get to any web page it you suspect the message might not be authentic or you don’t know the sender or user’s handle.
2. Ensure that your browser is UP TO DATE and SECURITY patches applied
3. Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legimate. DON’T leave it for as long as a month before you check each account.
4. Regularly LOG into your online accounts
5. AVOID ensure that you’re using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser.
6. AVOID filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information
7. Be SUSPICIOUS of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information
Example: phishers always will show some upsetting phrases to make victims react immediately in order to acquire their information. Beware of any suspicious e-mail unless the email is digitally signed.
8. Be SUSPICIOUS of impersonal emails such as Bank of America, Bank of Montreal and the ANZ Bank of Australia.
9. NEVER fill out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information.

As a conclusion, the damage caused by phishing ranges is from denial of access to email to substantial financial loss. Be careful out there!!!

A review on a post on Internet Security from My E-Commerce blog

http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Internet%20Security

From My E-Commerce Blog that I review Impact-to fight cyber terrorism reminds me that internet security is the most important aspect that I should understand when using internet. With more people utilizing computers for personal and business transactions, the threat of cyber criminals is raising and the security threat also become so common. New threats surface almost daily, and we need to guard against them.

Taking a few precautions on computer can help to ensure that we do not fall victim to cyber criminals. There are a number of anti virus software packages to choose from of course, and it can often be difficult to know which ones are the best. There are a number of important things to look for when shopping for the perfect anti virus software protection.

For me one of the most important considerations when it comes to anti virus software is the quality of the company that makes the software. After all, the quality of the anti virus software is only as good as the company standing behind it. It is vital that the company protecting your computer have a long history of success in the computer security market. No matter what your main considerations, it is important to get your virus protection up and running as soon as possible. Whether you use the anti virus software that came with your computer or buy your own, it is absolutely essential to have a quality anti virus software program up and running before you start surfing the web.

How to safeguard our personal and financial data?

There are many ways to safeguard your computer personal and financial data. One of there was use tools such as anti-virus software, as you can to guard your computer information. Anti-virus software can help you to guard user accounts from malicious viruses. It also can eliminate users wasted effort and productivity from removing viruses from their computer or servers and lost data. Furthermore, protect intellectual property from damage by viruses and can protect your reputation by stopping the spread of viruses via email to customers. So, you must keep update your anti-virus frequently.

Besides, you must choose your PIN number wisely. While you want to choose something you will remember, you do not want it to be something that a clever thief could figure out just by learning your birth date or your child's name. A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols will offer you more security.

Sometime, you should not simply allow anyone access to personal data unless they specifically require access. You should be wary of emails requesting information. Attackers may attempt to gather information by sending emails requesting that you confirm purchase or account information. So, you should not simply send it to anyone else.