If you own a computer that is connected to the Internet without proper firewall and security measures set up, it's only a matter of time before a worm, virus, hacker, or spyware takes over your computer.
Cyber criminals lurk everywhere on the Internet and are constantly figuring out new ways to access your personal and financial information. Even legitimate websites have sophisticated methods of snooping, such as cookies and spyware, that track your identity, browsing habits, and personal information.
I took some time to outline the 3 biggest threats to you online, and show you how you can keep your private information from falling into the wrong hands.
Threat #1: Hackers
Small business owners and home users tend to think that because they are "just a small business" or "just a home user" no one would waste time trying to hack in to their computer. Nothing could be further from the truth.
These cyber criminals run scanning programs over the Internet to find computers with electronic openings, called ports. Once they find such an opening, they have as much access to your computer as you do. That means your online banking, personal data, passwords, family data, and files. Often the goal of these intruders is to install a Trojan horse to your hard drive.
The best protection from a hacker is a good firewall. When properly set up, a firewall will make your computer invisible to the scanners and prevent hackers from accessing your computer.
Threat #2: Viruses, Worms, and Other Malicious Software
A virus is a freeloading program designed to install itself onto your computer without your knowledge or permission. Once installed, the virus attaches itself to files or boot sectors with the intent of taking over your computer's programs.
A worm is a parasitic program designed to replicate itself on your computer and then spread to other computers via email (through your address book) or an IRC (chat program). Both of these programs are considered "malware", which is short for malicious software. Many of the worms on the Internet today have been designed by advertising agencies to gain lists of working email addresses for spam.
If you get a worm, not only are you affected, but also every person in your address book (friends, family, and clients). Most viruses are spread via e-mail attachments. That is why you should NEVER open any email attachment from someone you don't know, or that looks suspicious.Once the attachment has been opened, the computer virus will run on your computer and perform its intended function. Sometimes the computer virus is designed to delete specific files on the computer, send commands and information to other computers, or to wreak havoc on your computer in some other way.
The most important thing you can do to protect your PC from viruses is to install and regularly update your virus protection software. Many software programs offer an automatic update feature that will make it far easier to keep your PC safe.
Threat #3: Spyware
If you spend a lot of time online, share music files or photos with other users, or if you download shareware or other Internet freebies such as emoticons, screen savers, or other "cute" programs, chances are your computer is infected with spyware.
Spyware is Internet jargon for hidden, undetected programs advertisers install on your PC to gather and report information about you and your online activities. This program is usually installed without the user's knowledge by piggybacking on another program or file being downloaded.
While some spyware is harmless, there can be serious consequences of unidentified spyware which include spam, identity theft, corruption and slowing of your PC, and annoying pop-up ads.
These programs can also profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page, and alter important system files without your knowledge or permission. Unfortunately, spyware is not illegal even though it allows a complete stranger to monitor and store information about you and your online activities.
Despite all of my nagging about online security, computer users never seem to give enough attention to online security and protection UNTIL a virus or a hacker renders their computer useless or destroys their data. Once this happens, it can be very expensive if not impossible to repair the damages done.