Dangers on the Internet
From LoveToKnow Online
There are many dangers on the Internet that you need to be aware of. You probably know about some of the malicious attacks that occur or the techniques used to pilfer personal data or gather information about your computer. Reading some of the following threats may make you question if you are safe enough.
Viruses
The most common dangers are viruses. Viruses are malicious little computer programs. The goals of viruses can by anything, from destroying data, to locking up your system, to just messing up your computer. Viruses can infiltrate your computer by various methods. In the early days of computing, hackers usually inserted a virus through a program that would run when you completed a specific task or when a certain time hit. Nowadays you can get a virus in different ways. One common way is through special code inserted in the programming of web pages or through files that download when you click on a special "ad" that pops up. Don’t worry; even though it is the most common way these days, web browsers are aware and often provide countermeasures against suspicious websites.
Spyware
Spyware is less dangerous than viruses, but it can harm your computer if not prevented or taken care of properly. Spyware usually includes tracking cookies that keep tabs on your online surfing and buying habits. Spyware embeds itself in certain parts of your computer collecting information and sending it to the originators of the cookie. Spyware also includes programs that install themselves without your knowledge and basically do the same thing, but with more malicious intentions, such as collecting credit card numbers. The one major problem with spyware is that the more programs you have running, the slower you computer computes. The more cookies you have, the more memory your browser needs to load, slowing down your surfing speed. After a heavy Internet session, have you noticed that your computer is running at a significantly slower speed? You may have some sort of spyware running.
Phishers
Phishers create fictitious websites based on real sites to gather personal information. Websites requiring a login and password are likely targets. For instance, phishers send out fake banking sites that look like the real site to the casual eye. However, with just one little step, you can figure out if you are going to click on a fake site. Roll your mouse over the link, but don't click it. Look at the link that pops up in the spot your browser previews the link. If it says anything other than www.yourbankname.com, then it's probably fake. Phishers obviously cannot use the official web address because it is already owned by the real site.
Human Dangers on the Internet
Besides technological dangers, there are also human dangers on the Internet. Child predators, stalkers, and those who try old fashioned ways to get personal information still run rampant on the Internet and probably will for years to come. Not much more needs to be said on the subject because the best way you can combat this type of danger goes back to one adage you learned as a child - "Don't talk to strangers."
Fake Emails
Along the same line as fake sites are fake emails. You may have received some of these already over the past few years. One day you open your email and see a note from your bank claiming that there's been a breach in their computer security system, and they need a few pieces of information to retrieve your records or reinstate your account. It asks you to click a link to sign in. Unfortunately that link brings you to a fake web site (that looks like the real site) that just collects your information for criminals. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that companies will never ask for your login ID, password or other account information in that way. Don't click on any link in an email that requests your personal information, especially if your bank is asking for information in this way. If you think the email may be valid, type your bank's URL directly into your web browser to check your account.
How Do You Protect Yourself?
For most issues, high-end Internet security programs will be fine. Do not rely on the freebies you can find all over the Internet or software from your Internet provider. These are often very watered down versions of the good stuff. You are better off buying a good package for $40 to $60 that can do a much better job. However, in many cases, simply being more aware of dangers on the Internet will go a long way towards ensuring safe surfing.
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This page has been accessed 836 times. This page was last modified 23:42, 29 October 2008.
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