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There are many things in life that are worth protecting. Our children, our valuables, our resources and of course, ourselves. Only twenty years ago, if security was mentioned, you were speaking of protecting your home. And you were most likely discussing a security system, monitoring, watchdogs, firearms and cameras.
With the explosion of the personal computer, and the internet's ease of access to information, security has now taken on additional roles. With over 605 million people online at any given moment worldwide, criminals are no longer bound by geographic location. Today's cyber criminal can hack from the comfort of his home just by getting online.
There are software programs that do nothing but scan the internet for un-secure ports and open networks so that they can enter into those unprotected machines to access critical information. There are many users who know little about internet security and rely on their ISP to provide it for them.
To look deeper into this topic, let's examine the qualities that make security both similar and different. With your home, you have a physical area that you can protect with fire and motion sensors, cameras, glass-break detectors and decals strategically placed to deter would-be thieves. For your computer, you protect a virtual space usually containing sensitive information relevant to your personal finances or key identity theft items such as family names and social security numbers. To protect these resources, one must install software (anti-virus, port scanners, Trojan hunting software, firewalls) as one level of protection. You can also add another layer of security through a hardware firewall of connectivity to and from the internet or network.
Both home security and computer security have maintenance costs associated with them. Reliable home security will usually consist of a one-time fee to install the hardware in your home, and then an agreement to have 24-hour monitoring service for a given length of time. Computer security will consist of buying the software and then either a monthly or yearly subscription fee to receive the latest information and protection from internet threats.
One difference between the two are the methods of monitoring. While computer security is only responsive while the computer is active or online, home security monitoring is responsive at all times provided the system is properly armed.
Another distinction is the method of response. In home security, a human will respond by dispatching police, fire or EMS directly to your home or business site. On a computer, the response is when the software vendor becomes aware of the problem, creates a solution, and has an update available for download.
With the advances of technology, monthly fees for home security monitoring are reasonable for the service they provide. Be warned: not all monitoring companies have the same capabilities when it comes to quick response. That's one reason why it's a good idea to make sure that any security company you choose has a UL certification. This can be critical as it indicates that the security company has met stringent standards for management system compliance (such as a back up source of power).
The same methodology should apply for a security software provider. Just because they say they're the best, doesn't mean that they are. Due diligence is the user's responsibility. Your information is too valuable to be taken lightly.
Both home security and cyber security are similar to having insurance. You have it, but you hope you never need it. And if you do need it, you want a company or vendor that has a history of excellent customer service.
There are those people who think that having a firearm is all they need for protection. While that may hold true in some form, a firearm won't let you know if someone is trying to enter your home through the back door while you are sleeping and notify you or the authorities. Another common perception is that a watchdog will alert a homeowner to intrusion, but again, man's best friend sleeps 10 to 12 hours a day and can't notify the police.
There are some computer users who claim that they can detect a virus by the email that is sent with some obvious taglines meant for the user to open and infect the machine.
Not all viruses are in emails, although that is the most common form. They can also be uploaded to a website, or embedded in Java Applets or Active X controls.
Trojans, which can log all of the users keystrokes and sites visited, are secretly downloaded in the form of free games or free software, and are undetectable by anti-virus software. This is the preferred method of attack by a hacker on a machine. By not altering the performance of a machine (like a virus or worm does), the user blissfully continues to use their machine to make online purchases, and enter sensitive information, thinking they are secure, while the Trojan secretly records all of the information and will simply send all of the user's information at designated intervals to the hacker.
Many times a decision about security measures for your home or computer is based on budgetary constraints. But always consider what it is that you are protecting and how much you would pay to get back whatever was stolen, lost or destroyed if an unfortunate event occurred in your life.
Written by Paul Bliss
http://www.guardianprotection.com; pjbliss@gpsx.net
North American retirees and seniors are embracing computers and technology in increasing numbers. It may be only to keep in regular contact with family and friends over long distances and share photos of their winter cruise. However, unlike their younger counterparts, they are less likely to take precautions against threats to their digital data.
In Canada, research by the federal government reveals that older adults are the fastest growing group of computer buyers and Internet users. In 1999, one quarter of households headed by a person 55-64 years old used the Internet from home. In the 65 and over age group, 10 per cent did. In fact, Internet use in the 65 and over age group is growing faster than in all other age groups.
Meanwhile, according to research by the PEW Internet & American Life project, 22 per cent of Americans 65 and older use the Internet, and the percentage of seniors who go online jumped by 47 per cent between 2000 and 2004. In January 2006, PEW found 34 per recent of Americans age 65 and older go online, up from 29 per cent in January 2005. That being, said, just 28 per cent of Americans age 70 and older go online - almost same percentage as the year before.
The most interesting and dynamic segment is the recent retirees or those approaching retirement in their 50s or 60s. They are unlikely to give up their wired ways and therefore will transform the wired senior stereotype. As this "silver tsunami" of Internet-loving Baby Boomers swamps the off-line senior population in the next 10 years, PEW predicts the demographic shift, paired with a rising tide of viruses, spyware, and other online threats, is cause for concern.
Retirees and seniors place themselves at greater risk of losing precious information stored on their computer. Just as many retirees who can't immediately recall something may blame it on a so-called "senior's moment", it's not just humans--young or old--who sometimes cannot recall the information stored in their "brains." When computers cannot recall or access the files electronically stored on them, computer users often panic.
That digital information could be e-mail messages sent and received, income tax returns prepared but not yet filed, the household budget maintained in a spreadsheet, a letter written to a municipal counselor protesting illegal parking on the street, research conducted on the family tree, or the expanding collection of photographs of grandchildren.
There are numerous causes of data loss:
o You experience power interruptions, power surges or a blackout causing your computer to shut down unexpectedly
o Your computer experiences a mechanical failure
o Your computer is contaminated with a virus or bug after a file is downloaded from the Internet
o Your software no longer works as it should
o Your saved information is deleted accidentally
o Your computer won't start up and only the infamous blue screen of death is visible on your screen.
Any and all of the aforementioned problems can cause digital information loss. These problems can be all but eliminated by taking a number of precautions to prevent the loss of important files:
o Regularly backup your data and check to make sure the backup information can be retrieved
o If possible, store your backups somewhere away from your home like a safety deposit box
o Buy USB drives for your kids or grandkids and save a copy of the photos to this small storage device and provide one to each of them
o Use anti-virus software and update it frequently to scan and screen all incoming e-mails especially those jokes that your brother-in-law keeps sending you with attachments
o Use power surge protectors since a power fluctuation can disrupt software, erase valuable data and damage the hard drive
o Maintain your computer in a dry, controlled environment free from dust
o Turn off your computer immediately if it makes any unusual noise.
If you're not comfortable with technology and prefer not to attempt recovery of your data with a Do-It-Yourself solution, you could ask your computer-savvy relative or friend to assist you. Or, you can seek the assistance of a data recovery specialist who can come to the rescue of your irreplaceable digital information.
Don't let digital aches and pains get you down. Enjoy the Cyber Years.
There's no argument about the Internet becoming an unsafe place for the common user. Not only is cyber security now a problem. It has grown many faces and unless one is adequately skilled, it's simply a problem to deal with everyday. Fortunately, the situation is not yet helpless and anyone who commits to actively protect himself from online crimes will do well beginning with a good knowledge of what makes the Internet a whole world to conquer.
Probably the most famous word associated with Internet abuse is viruses. True enough, these nasty little codes have been responsible for a good chunk of Internet - related computer problems today. Trojans, which are destructive codes disguised as constructive software, are yet another thing to be wary about. Spyware, which may come with legitimate downloads, are those that aim to create a profile of your Internet behavior by tracking your online activities. And then there are those grander forms of hacking which lead to more elaborate crimes crimes such as identity and credit/banking information theft.
Another issue with the Internet is privacy. When you surf online, you're actually making yourself available to anyone who might have an interest in tracking what you do. If you thought you've secured that secret blog with a code, not quite. Someway, somehow, somebody's going to know what you're doing online because you are completely traceable by means of your IP address. In fact, not only do these crooks store a profile of your online habits. They could also snatch personal information from your emails and personal files in your PC. Yes, that's no longer a fantastic idea these days. And with each day that passes, it becomes more and more real.
It's no longer a surprise waking up one day with a half-a-million dollar credit card statement and not having an idea where it came from. Yup, identity theft has never been much easier and this is one of the more serious reasons why anyone conducting online transactions should take responsible steps in ensuring his own safety.
If you're in business relying on very sensitive data, you couldn't be at greater risk. While information is one of the greatest assets that any company or organization might have, it' is also the paramount target of cyber crooks who labor to steal everything they can from their unsuspecting victims.
While the Internet has served us in more convenient, pleasurable and useful ways than one, it can also be a weapon for our own destruction. Our IP addresses particularly provide this power to online criminals who will stop at nothing to bleed their victims dry. As long as your IP address is exposed, you will be traced and you could be victimized.
Change your IP address and surf anonymously and surf safely because it could mean your security, personal or business.
There's no argument about the Internet becoming an unsafe place for the common user. Not only is cyber security now a problem. It has grown many faces and unless one is adequately skilled, it's simply a problem to deal with everyday. Fortunately, the situation is not yet helpless and anyone who commits to actively protect himself from online crimes will do well beginning with a good knowledge of what makes the Internet a whole world to conquer.
Probably the most famous word associated with Internet abuse is viruses. True enough, these nasty little codes have been responsible for a good chunk of Internet - related computer problems today. Trojans, which are destructive codes disguised as constructive software, are yet another thing to be wary about. Spyware, which may come with legitimate downloads, are those that aim to create a profile of your Internet behavior by tracking your online activities. And then there are those grander forms of hacking which lead to more elaborate crimes crimes such as identity and credit/banking information theft.
Another issue with the Internet is privacy. When you surf online, you're actually making yourself available to anyone who might have an interest in tracking what you do. If you thought you've secured that secret blog with a code, not quite. Someway, somehow, somebody's going to know what you're doing online because you are completely traceable by means of your IP address. In fact, not only do these crooks store a profile of your online habits. They could also snatch personal information from your emails and personal files in your PC. Yes, that's no longer a fantastic idea these days. And with each day that passes, it becomes more and more real.
It's no longer a surprise waking up one day with a half-a-million dollar credit card statement and not having an idea where it came from. Yup, identity theft has never been much easier and this is one of the more serious reasons why anyone conducting online transactions should take responsible steps in ensuring his own safety.
If you're in business relying on very sensitive data, you couldn't be at greater risk. While information is one of the greatest assets that any company or organization might have, it' is also the paramount target of cyber crooks who labor to steal everything they can from their unsuspecting victims.
While the Internet has served us in more convenient, pleasurable and useful ways than one, it can also be a weapon for our own destruction. Our IP addresses particularly provide this power to online criminals who will stop at nothing to bleed their victims dry. As long as your IP address is exposed, you will be traced and you could be victimized.
Change your IP address and surf anonymously and surf safely because it could mean your security, personal or business.
There's no argument about the Internet becoming an unsafe place for the common user. Not only is cyber security now a problem. It has grown many faces and unless one is adequately skilled, it's simply a problem to deal with everyday. Fortunately, the situation is not yet helpless and anyone who commits to actively protect himself from online crimes will do well beginning with a good knowledge of what makes the Internet a whole world to conquer.
Probably the most famous word associated with Internet abuse is viruses. True enough, these nasty little codes have been responsible for a good chunk of Internet - related computer problems today. Trojans, which are destructive codes disguised as constructive software, are yet another thing to be wary about. Spyware, which may come with legitimate downloads, are those that aim to create a profile of your Internet behavior by tracking your online activities. And then there are those grander forms of hacking which lead to more elaborate crimes crimes such as identity and credit/banking information theft.
Another issue with the Internet is privacy. When you surf online, you're actually making yourself available to anyone who might have an interest in tracking what you do. If you thought you've secured that secret blog with a code, not quite. Someway, somehow, somebody's going to know what you're doing online because you are completely traceable by means of your IP address. In fact, not only do these crooks store a profile of your online habits. They could also snatch personal information from your emails and personal files in your PC. Yes, that's no longer a fantastic idea these days. And with each day that passes, it becomes more and more real.
It's no longer a surprise waking up one day with a half-a-million dollar credit card statement and not having an idea where it came from. Yup, identity theft has never been much easier and this is one of the more serious reasons why anyone conducting online transactions should take responsible steps in ensuring his own safety.
If you're in business relying on very sensitive data, you couldn't be at greater risk. While information is one of the greatest assets that any company or organization might have, it' is also the paramount target of cyber crooks who labor to steal everything they can from their unsuspecting victims.
While the Internet has served us in more convenient, pleasurable and useful ways than one, it can also be a weapon for our own destruction. Our IP addresses particularly provide this power to online criminals who will stop at nothing to bleed their victims dry. As long as your IP address is exposed, you will be traced and you could be victimized.
Change your IP address and surf anonymously and surf safely because it could mean your security, personal or business.
