Is any place safe?

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that hackers will target only large companies. The truth is computers get attacked for a variety of reasons. Some of these include the following:

• Snooping: Reading private mail and other personal files.
  
• Destroying or corrupting computer data: Making files unusable, or making a whole computer unusable.
  
• Stealing computer data: Taking credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, company information and so on.
  
• Stopping computers from functioning properly: Blocking incoming traffic so that intended users cannot get access, etc.
  
• Misusing computer resources: Sending spam without you knowing it, etc.
  
• Pranks: practical jokes, breaking in just because it's a challenge.

The bottom line, don't think your network is safe just because you're not that important or well-known. Assuming that you aren't personally targeted, moderately secure networks usually cause hackers to attack elsewhere. Yet attacks can come from many different sources and your computer should be equipped to deal with each of these types of attacks."

CAN YOU EVER BE TRULY SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE

Check out your computers vulnerability at GRC.com.
(Gibson Research Corporation)

Also see:
StaySafeOnline.info

[Edited entry from 7/22/2005]



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Labels: Internet, Windows