Lower Laptop Prices Bring Many New Users, More Virus Infections In recent years, the average price of laptop and home computers has come down dramatically. Because of this price crash, a new wave of computer ownership is sweeping over the U.S. like never before. In years gone by, most households had one or two computers at most. These were usually a desktop and a laptop, often owned by one or both adults in the household. Children and teens have historically had limited access to the family computer, and most of that time was spent on the internet, and usually with parental approval. Today, the model of computer ownership has changed dramatically. It is now not uncommon to see 5 or 6 computers in a single household. The largest demographic of computer owners is now the young adult. The fastest growing group of computer owners happens to be teenagers, defined as those between age 13 and 18. And, although teens and young adults tend to be more computer savvy, they may lack the experience to know how much personal information online is too much. And the very youngest, most curious computer users can have a hard time when it comes to judging safe content, often venturing onto unfamiliar websites filled with malicious software disguised as benign games, videos or images. With the surge of new and inexperienced computer owners surfing the web, and with the average age of computer owners constantly dropping, the number of virus infections has grown exponentially. Additionally, viruses have themselves evolved and adapted. They are being written with more sophisticated code, capable of hiding their presence more effectively, and the damage they can do is more severe than ever before. Also, with more and more banking and shopping being done online, the amount of computer-based crime has skyrocketed. These cyber-crimes are often perpetrated by exploiting inexperienced computer users with malicious software, viruses and trojan horse programs. When all of these factors are considered together, it becomes evident that computer users must take their security more seriously than ever before. Most Common Sources of Malicious Software Infections The most common sources of malicious software are broken down into two main groups:
Let's face it. We do almost everything online these days, with very few exceptions. Cyber criminals know this, and they've actively targeted you in the ways you are most vulnerable. Cyber criminals are getting smarter, and they're adapting their techniques to be more effective at getting your personal information. Their goal isn't necessarily to steal your identity for the sake of some complicated heist. A cyber criminal might just want to try to crack their way into your Amazon.com or eBay account. Once they gain access to one of your online accounts, they may order valuable merchandise and have it shipped to a local address- perhaps an empty home in foreclosure across the street. Or they may seek to access your email- but with the purpose of looking for some old, forgotten message from an online bank account, containing a password "reset" request. Using that email, the criminal may reset your password to your online bank account, and then exploit it at will. Whatever their motives, you can be sure it isn't good for you. How They Do It: Clone Websites Cyber criminals are reading analytical reports about browsing habits, and they will stop at nothing to ply their trade. Much of the most recent data indicates that Americans are doing more shopping and banking online. Predictably, the most recent trend in the cyber crime world is "copycat" or look-alike websites, which appear identical to the real thing in almost every way. Cyber criminals can literally clone a legitimate website - such as a bank- and then wait for users to visit. Of course, because the criminals cannot steal the exact WEB ADDRESS of a legitimate bank (which banks protect carefully), the cyber criminal must resort to using a similar web address, and then compel users to visit the false site by means of deception. This deception may take the shape of a simple email- which appears to be from a users bank, say "Bank of America". The criminal may use an enticing phrase in the subject line, such as "urgent notice". The email may even appear to originate from your bank, as sophisticated criminals can use spoofing techniques. As you read the criminal's email, there may be a message warning you about some security issue, and requesting your immediate response. The email will invariably urge you to CLICK A LINK and log in to your account to perform some kind of task. Beware! Once you do so, your account is compromised immediately. For, you have just fallen into the cybercriminal's trap. By clicking the link, you've just visited a malicious clone- a look-alike site. When you typed in your username and password, it was recorded by the malicious clone site and probably emailed in real time to the criminal(s) who created it. While the duped mark continues to try to log in at the clone website, the hackers are likely already logging in to the authentic bank site and wiring all the funds out of it. 8 Comments |
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