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Local Security is Crucial to Internet Use
by Leeon J. Pezok, Sr.
The Internet has become a critical tool in education and
entertainment, as well as communications – business and
personal. With the internet and the ability to share information
comes great risk; exposure to malicious software that steals
your information and damages your computer system. This
malicious software (MALWARE for short) is categorized as Adware,
Spyware, and Viruses.
E-mail as an Infection Route
“Forward this to everyone in your address book” is a common
phrase in chain mail over the internet. Well – many malicious
types of software will do this for you, without your knowledge
or consent. Persons receiving a file from a friend or colleague
may promptly open it without considering the circumstances. This
is the intent from the programmer of these particular malicious
softwares (often called worms); they will masquerade the
dangerous attachment to be a funny video, pictures, or some
other file from a friend or colleague.
Best Practice: Do not open an attachment or link from an e-mail
that you were not expecting – even if you know the person that
sent it.
Surfing the Web
Malicious websites take advantage of scripting features and
security errors within common internet browsers and operating
systems. Dialogue boxes may appear on your computer warning of
detected conditions, intending to scare you, and suggesting you
install their software to repair the issue. Other sites require
you to install their “driver” to view the content, like videos
or pictures.
In both these cases, by clicking OK or YES you are expressly
allowing these sites to install their potentially malicious
software on your computer, regardless of any protective software
installed on your computer.
Best Practice: Do not install applications or drivers from
web-sites that are not trusted.
Internet File Sharing
Ares, Bearshare, BitTorrent, Frostwire, Limewire, mIRC, and
Morpheus are common internet-based file sharing applications.
The applications themselves are not malicious software; however
their functionality does provide a substantial path for
intrusion.
Internet File Sharing allows files to be shared with other
people around the world; be it documents, videos, music,
applications, or viruses. The tools for sharing do not
discriminate or understand the difference between a safe file
and something malicious. Malware is frequently made available
masquerading as your favorite song or program.
Best Practice: Do not use this type of internet file sharing.
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