Test Your Internet IQ:
Top Internet Security Myths
Myth 1
I have antivirus software - that's all I need.
Yes, antivirus protection is important and you need it. But just
having the software isn't enough. New viruses emerge all the
time, so you need to update your virus definitions regularly to
make sure they're current.
Furthermore, antivirus software only provides one type of
security (stopping viruses from infecting your system). But
hackers are also a threat, and antivirus software can't deflect
a determined hacker. You need a firewall to deter hackers from
getting into your system, and to make sure your personal
information doesn't go out without your authorization.
Myth 2
There's nothing on my computer that a hacker would want.
While most of us believe this to be true, hackers might search
for personal information stored on your system - like your
Social Security and bank account numbers, for example - which
they could use to make fraudulent purchases in your name.
Identity Theft is a fast-growing white-collar crime in the U.S.
today. And even if you don't do any financial work on your home
computer, you may keep a resume on your hard drive in a desktop
file conveniently named "resume." Your resume lists your name,
address, where you went to school, your work experience. That's
exactly the type of information you need when you apply for a
credit card or a loan.
Myth 3
Only big corporations - not home computer users - are targets
for hackers.
"Why would they bother with me when all I do on my home computer
is play games and send email?" But hackers are usually looking
for easy prey, and your home computer is much simpler to break
into than a large corporate network would be. Hackers can
infiltrate your system by using a number of tools readily
available online. Broadband connections are particularly
vulnerable because they have an "always-on," static IP address
that can more easily be accessed. Big corporations, on the other
hand, have invested heavily in their Information Technology
departments. They have huge antivirus programs on their gateway
and very effective firewalls. In other words, they are harder to
hack.
Myth 4
It takes a lot of technical knowledge to be a hacker.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a genius to
hack into a computer. Hacking actually takes very little
technical knowledge because any search engine queried about
"hacking tools" will list site after site. The tools are readily
available and can be downloaded in a few minutes. They even come
with directions.
Myth 5
My ISP provides protection (antivirus and/or firewall) to me
when I'm online.
ISPs rarely provide comprehensive protection, so you might want
to check with your ISP and ask how safe you are from viruses and
hackers. Even if your ISP does provide a certain amount of
protection, like email scanning, you should still install good
antivirus software, like Norton AntiVirus, to protect you from a
virus you may download inadvertently from a web site.
Myth 6
I'm using dial-up, so I don't need to worry about hackers.
It's true that broadband users are more vulnerable to attack.
With a much slower, dial-up access, your IP address is changing
all the time, but that doesn't mean hackers can't find you
anyway.If you have a dial-up connection, a hacker who does break
into your system could install a back-door Trojan Horse, which
lets them see you each time you log in. The Trojan flashes a
beacon that says, "Hey I'm here, come and get me"- so they know
you're online and vulnerable. It's also possible to pick up a
Trojan Horse through an email virus, or you might download it in
an infected Internet file. If you've picked up a Trojan Horse,
it doesn't matter whether your connection is broadband or
dial-up.
