Keep Your Computer Secure In This Bad Economy
A person’s true character often emerges during a crisis. The current economic meltdown is no exception. Many creative types are showing their true colors by taking on more “gigs” and moving away from standard office jobs. Individuals in a few industries are actually seeing increased profits during this financial winter. Bankruptcy attorneys, cobblers, and army recruiters are among the lucky ones who are actually benefiting from the flailing economy. Others are turning to crime—especially cybercrime. As Byron Acohido and Jon Swartz recently wrote in USA Today, “To cybergangs, the implosion of the financial markets and widespread job cuts have translated into more opportunities.” This article provides an overview of the types of cybercrime floating around online, and lists tips for how you can protect your computers from the newest waves of cyber threats.
First, it’s important to recognize the scale of increased online crime. Experts estimate that the number of malevolent programs on the web has tripled since the first major drop in the stock market last September. Online scamming is on the rise, just like bank robberies and burglaries. And unless the economy manages to pull out of its current nose-dive, online crimes probably won’t decrease any time soon.
That’s all the more reason to be informed and prepared for the threats your computer will face.
Some online criminals are sticking to the classic schemes: phishing, cyberjacking, and Trojans. Consumers become the victims of phishing when they follow false warnings supposedly released by familiar institutions. In this sense, you can avoid being hooked yourself by being very picky about your online activity. Because hackers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques, their fake emails or messages may appear nearly identical to the real McCoy.
Cyberhijacks occur when criminals access username and password information, and then use it to enter accounts traditionally. More and more government regulators and law enforcement officials are falling victim to this variety of online crime.
Another “classic” approach involves Trojans, programs that began spreading like wildfire across emails, websites, and online ads last fall. These promiscuous programs steal your system, often without your knowledge, to access personal information.
You can protect yourself from these older online security threats by taking a few common sense precautions. First, be selective and aware. Don’t assume emails from your bank or other important institutions are real. Always access your online account directly from the web address you know to be correct.
Once you’ve avoided the phishers, avoid cyberhijackers by changing your password every couple of months, and make it unique and diverse. Consider spelling words with a combination of letters and numbers that look like a word you can easily remember. For instance, “online” could become “0nl1n3.”
Finally, be a picky clicker. It can be difficult to pinpoint where a Trojan lurks, so cut your chances by being a smart surfer. Rely on search engines to find your favorite sites and products, or visit those sites directly.
As web criminals refine older methods, they are also creating new techniques. Social networks like Facebook have become peppered with fake sites. Once these false Facebookers establish identities, they can send tainted emails and messages to other members within Facebook. (That old computer axiom to immediately delete and never open email from persons unknown to you still holds true.) The networking giant is having difficulty combating these fake friends, since the hackers can create hundreds of accounts in the span of a minute.
Some poisoned sites have even turned up in Google and Yahoo results. Because the web is sprawling more every day, it’s becoming more challenging to track all websites. When conducting searches, avoid the tendency to rush between sites like a sparrow on birdseed speed. Consider the description for each site before clicking through; blatant errors may indicate a compromised site.
Finally, some creative criminals are simply searching online file sharing services for personal information. Sometimes it seems that consumers forget that the web is not private. Your MySpace and Facebook profile can be called to evidence during trials, and your online documents are not confidential, even if you’re sure no one else knows they’re even online. Don’t give hackers the chance to destroy your careful planning—store your documents offline whenever possible.
Finally, some banner ads with Flash animation have become infected, speaking to the sophistication of today’s online criminals. New programs that are still in beta testing, or are not fully understood by programmers, may be more likely to lead to a tainted site that could infect your computer.
You already have the world’s best protection against these threats: your own noggin. Be a cynic and question every transaction you make online. Doubt the identity of every sender. Be careful and aware as you shop.
And finally, update all of your Internet security programs. Both for businesses and individuals, there has never been a better time to bring your protection system up to speed. Protect your digital life by upgrading to a better security system today.
~Colleen Welch, 2009
