Advances
in computer technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it affords us
quick and easy access to numerous conveniences such as bank statements,
favorite shopping centers, school and health records, and more. On the other
hand, it can also grant the same access to those who aren’t supposed to get it.
Although it’s a rare occurrence, hacking has become the biggest criminal
nuisance in computer history.
Make no
bones about it. There’s nothing innocent or cute about the hacker. Today’s
hackers aren’t the pimply-faced teen rebels that you might be thinking of.
Instead, this generation of hackers are grown individuals who are more than
likely earning a living by stealing the identities of innocent, law-abiding
individuals and then selling those identities to others who want to slip by the
system. And the only protection against these seedy people is prevention.
Computer
security couldn’t be more important than it is today and that’s why we’ve taken
the time to introduce it to you. You can
reduce the probability of experiencing identity theft by making your computer
as hacker-proof as possible. All that’s needed is a little software and a lot
of common sense.
1.
Install
an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. Anti-virus/anti-spyware software will stop
malicious code from downloading and installing onto your computer while you
peruse the Internet. Known as viruses, worms, or spyware, this malicious code
can destroy important files and render your computer good for only one thing:
sending sensitive data back to the server of an identity thief.
2.
Don’t
store sensitive data on your computer in the first place. Should your computer
get infected with a virus, worm, or piece of spyware, you can thwart the
individuals responsible by not storing your personal information on your PC so
that when and if your computer does send back data – it won’t be anything
valuable. Hackers look for things like full names, social security numbers,
phone numbers, home addresses, work-related information, and credit card
numbers. If these things aren’t saved onto a computer, there’s nothing critical
to worry about other than restoring your computer to a non-virus condition.
3.
Don’t
open files without scanning them with an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. In
the past, the warning was to avoid opening files from people that you don’t
know. Today it’s really not safe to open files from anyone (without scanning
the files) because that’s how viruses get spread – through files - even by
mistake. So even though your co-worker may have emailed a funny video, it’s no
safer to open than a video downloaded from a complete stranger. Be safe and
scan each and every file you download from the Internet or receive through email
regardless of where it came from.
4.
Create
a barrier between your computer and prying eyes. Anti-virus/anti-spyware
programs are only effective after the effect. But you can prevent identity
theft from occurring by installing a firewall. A firewall is a software that
checks all data entering and exiting a computer and it then blocks that which
doesn’t meet specified security criteria (user-defined rules).
5.
Don’t
click on website links in spam messages. In an effort to obtain personal
information, some spammers will send an email that asks you to click on a link.
The email messages are often disguised as important messages from well-known
online establishments and they often try to scare their readers into clicking
links with threats of closing an account of some sort. Sometimes the links are
harmless and attempt to con the reader into volunteering personal information
(credit card number), but other times the links attempt to download harmful
software onto a computer.
Your best protection against computer crimes is your own knowledge. Hopefully, the
suggestions above will prompt you into taking appropriate action and into
protecting your computer with the suggested tools. In doing so, you’ll not only
protect yourself, you’ll prevent the spread of these malicious activities and
protect others at the same time.
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