TAP | Tech A Peep

Archive for November, 2009

Effects of computer hacking

November 30th, 2009

Computer hacking incorporates some degree of violation on the privacy of others, invading the network security, and thus causing damage to confidential files, web page or software. It may also include downloading or alteration of files through unauthorized access.

Computer hacking is the practice of altering computer hardware and software, in order to cause damage to important data on a computer or to simply steal secret information. Computer hackers often aim at home and office computers that are connected to the Internet. The Internet makes PC vulnerable to attacks from hackers from across the globe.

Effects of computer hacking

1. Computer hacking is the break of computer security. It exposes the sensitive data of the user and risks user privacy. These activities disclose the secret user information such as personal details, social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account data, etc. This can lead to illegitimate use and modification of users’ information.

2. Modification of important data with intent to achieve personal gain is another effect of computer hacking. This can lead to the loss of all the data stored in the computer. The modification of sensitive data is a worst effect of hacking.

3. Another significant consequence of hacking is identity theft. This fraud involves pretention to be someone else, with determination to gain unauthorized access to information property. It meant to be an illegal use of someone else’s identity for personal use.

4. With the advancement in technology, several key-logging software have been evolved which are capable of tracking and recording key stroke by the user, causing stealing of passwords and account details. Another ill effect of computer hacking is the refusal of service attack. This refers to the DOS attack, which makes computer resources inaccessible to authorized users. Often, websites fall prey to denial of service attack which causes unavailability of them for longer period of time.

5. Computer hacking can also cause theft of significant business information. This can disclose email addresses to hackers which could be used by them to use it for spamming and destroying email privacy.

6. If the information related to national security, confidential government data, information related to national defence and security, if exposed by mean of hacking can lead to severe consequences.

7. Hacking can be used to convert computer into zombies. Zombie computers are used by the hackers for fraudulent activities.

Most of the hackers are less noble and use their skills to steal personal information. But this type of computer hacking can sent them to a federal prison for up to 20 years.

I am computer check up specialist for iYogi, a leading IT support based in India, iYogi provides computer firewall configuration services via phone and remote access for home users and small businesses worldwide. Live 24 /7 support coverage extends to technologies that we use every day.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/effects-of-computer-hacking-1521016.html

Posted in Information Technology | Comments Closed

How to Avoid Being Defrauded by Phishing Emails

November 29th, 2009

These days the volume of Spam email is a significant portion of the email distributed online. These Spam emails consist mainly of people trying to promote products using your unsolicited email address as a sales tool but even more sinister people trying to defraud you of money. This is done via a series of emails designed to spoof you into entering key financial information and is growing in frequency all the time.

These emails are referred to as Phishing emails likened to catching a fish where you throw in the rod looking for a bite, in this case entering account numbers and passwords. This identity fraud can ruin you financially and can take you months or years to first prove you were not responsible and to try and recover some of the money stolen from you.

Legally your financial institution is not obliged to return any moneys to you as a victim of online fraud. Their terms and conditions usually state quite clearly that it is your responsibility to maintain the integrity of your username/account numbers as well as any password or pin numbers. So whilst online banking is very convenient the responsibility clearly sits with you in regards to security and privacy of your information.

These phishing emails are designed to collect your financial information and usually do so by copying the websites of your financial institution and pretending that you need to update your username, password, address etc. These sites are so convincing that it only takes a moments lapse in concentration to compromise your security and privacy. Your bank or financial institution would never ask you to update information via email. If you need to carry out a financial transaction do so by going directly to the website and not clicking on any email links.

So how can you prevent being tricked by these phishing emails ? Firstly if the email looks unprofessional with poor spelling and grammar you can assume it is Spam and delete the email. If it is a professional looking email with company logos and colors there is actually a simple way to check if the email you received is legitimate. Most email these days is delivered in HTML format which gives you richer emails with text and graphics.

Move the mouse over one of the hyperlinks and in the status bar of the browser or email client you will see the domain the link is really going to take you. If this is not the domain of your financial institution it’s Spam and delete the email. If it does match the correct domain complete a further check as follows. Somewhere in your email client or browser you should see a ‘View Source’ option. Select that and you will see the HTML code that composes the email.

Look for the link and make sure the address in the ‘href’ tag is a legitimate domain for your financial institution. Again remember emails from your financial institution you should click on are generally marketing, sales or new product information emails. Make sure you have anti-virus and anti-spyware applications installed on your computer to make sure you do not have spyware or malware that could be recording your account numbers and passwords.

Joey Vella is an IT Consultant with over 20 years of IT and Project experience. Specialising in Windows platforms and system configurations. Joey consults to a number of companies including PCWinTools.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/how-to-avoid-being-defrauded-by-phishing-emails-1515749.html

Posted in Information Technology | Comments Closed

Worms: The Most Dominant Security Problem

November 28th, 2009

According to Microsoft’s latest version of the semi-annual Security Intelligence Report (SIR), Conficker worm is still one of the most dominant threats of PCs using Windows. Five million computers were found to be infected with Conficker. It can be spread either by exploiting a vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows Server service, through infected removable media or brute-forcing weak passwords on other PCs. Microsoft was alarmed with Conficker’s continuous circulation mainly in enterprises. Conficker has a password-cracking ability that can spread fast if one PC in the company is already infected.

Another worm named is Taterf. It took the second spot when it comes to the most infections, specifically 4.9 million. Taterf is known for stealing authentication and account information for popular online games like World of Warcraft, Lineage, Maple Story and more. It can be spread through infected drives such as a USB stick or an infected network drive.

Next in the line is the Zlob. It is a Trojan horse spreading while making people believe that it is a media codec than a virus. A media codec is software used to encode and decode audio or video. Zlob can be removed using Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT).

Microsoft mentioned the growing numbers of security problems including the fake antivirus programs. These programs seems to be a legitimate software but do not actually work. They just annoy people with pop-up menus displaying that their computer is infected and will only stop after purchasing the software for as much as $60. Microsoft has added new antivirus software such as Windows Defender and the MSRT to detect more worms and viruses.

Different countries encounter different threats. Trojan horse programs, known for downloading other malicious software, are the biggest threat in countries like United States, United Kingdom, France and Italy. In Brazil, malicious software intended for online banking is the problem. Worms are still dominant in South Korea and Spain.

Microsoft has proven that worms are the most dominant security problem for PCs. With the blink of an eye, a Conficker, Taterf or Zlob can easily infect your computer. The right thing to do is protect your PC right away with an antivirus software. If you need help with antivirus software or virus removal, Techie Now is here to give the fast and safe services that you need. With Techie Now, we will keep your PC clean and protected.

If you want your PC to be protected, Techie Now is ready to provide you flexible, quick and safe services when it comes to virus and spyware removal, performance optimization, software installation and configuration, and other general repair. Feel free to visit us, www.techienow.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/worms-the-most-dominant-security-problem-1510983.html

Posted in Information Technology | Comments Closed