Your security online is made up of little things that each and every one of us CAN manage. Much of protecting yourself involves paying attention and being aware of what you are doing when using your computer. Even the settings that you use for your computer and security programs are designed to allow you to make a reasonable decision based on the way you use your computer. The few minutes of paying attention while installing your security software can make all the difference. Know what the software is doing for you, so that you’ll be able to recognize when something strange is going on.
A password manager is there to do for you those things that take up your time and really are an effort. Creating strong passwords for each website and keeping them straight in your head isn’t easy. And it does take time to use them. We recommend Sticky Password, but whether you use a password manager or not, you should be aware of the basics of safe passwords: unique strings of letters and numbers that can’t be guessed for each site and purpose. And, of course, don’t share your passwords with anyone.
And, as has been written in this blog before, DON’T believe everything you read. That’s generally true, but on the Internet, you are likely to be overwhelmed by offers. If you wouldn’t accept the offer from someone on the street, then there is even more reason to reject it from a mysterious someone who wants to share riches with you. Your odds of winning the lottery are better than getting ‘your share’ of the millions of dollars.
Review these general security tips and you’ll see that protecting yourself is something that you CAN manage.
Protecting yourself against hackers of all sorts
Monday, June 28th, 2010Now that security professionals are talking about hacking cars, home security systems, and digital cameras, you’re probably wondering if there is anything that is safe from hackers. At least your home appliances are safe – right?! Well, no. Now, even your high-tech blender is a potential risk.
The goal of the hacker isn’t always to get your personal data. In the case of appliances and GPS devices, the experts are saying that the device will be used to mislead or distract you, opening you up to an attack. When you take a look at the things highlighted in the article that hackers are focusing on, or will soon be focusing on, you’ll see that there is something very simple that you can do to improve your own security.
Simple yet critical: use the built-in security options of your devices.
Many of the items mentioned in the article have functionality that relies on communication via a wireless network, or in some other way uses computer technology. Just by following basic computer security procedures like getting the latest software updates, picking strong passwords and using the basic security settings, you’ll stand a much stronger chance of protecting yourself.
Going back a few years to when major brand name viruses like Melissa ravaged the Internet, a huge number of the infected computers were vulnerable because users simply did not perform the suggested Microsoft security updates.
Hackers then and now count on users NOT following basic security instructions.
Don’t become a statistic! Take the time to learn how to use the security features. In most cases, you’ll see that it’s just as easy to use the security as not, with the undeniable advantage that you’ll be safer.
Also mentioned in the article is the ‘last frontier of hacking’ – the human brain. The author points out that at least part of this is the realm of social engineering: a con-game tricking you to act in some way. The realm of phishing and other email exploits try to trick you to click on something or to send your information to someone for your share of millions of dollars.
Ah, but that’s a topic for a different blog…
Peter L
Tags: hackers, phishing, security
Posted in News and Commentary, Passwords and Security | 2 Comments »