Feeling the Heat from Cyber Crime18 May 2006
Ah, summertime. The weather is warmer, the evenings are longer, and many Canadians head to the cottage or take a well-deserved vacation.
However, not everyone equates the hot weather with relaxation and holiday time. Computer hackers and malicious code writers are a prime example, often choosing summer as the season to work extra-hard and unleash a new spate of viruses and worms. They bank on the fact that Canadians are in vacation mode, and more lax about PC security.
For businesses, computer virus writers know that IT departments have limited resources in summer due to employee vacations. Unfortunately, the bad guys know that this makes corporate networks more vulnerable to nasty viruses.
Blaster, Sasser, Zotob and SoBig are all major viruses that have wreaked havoc on home computers in summers past. With such an established pattern of attacks, it makes sense to put safeguards in place to minimize the impact of viruses that may pop up this summer.
Criminal boredom
Summer means school is out, and there are a lot of bored teens roaming through cyber space. Having grown up with technology, they are far more tech-savvy than their parents. The Internet provides them with the perfect venue to express teenaged angst and rebel against authority.
In fact, many viruses have been written by bored teens seeking notoriety and approval within underground cyber communities. For example, the infamous Sasser virus that crippled computer networks worldwide in 2004 was created by an 18-year-old from Germany. Like many young hackers, he developed and executed the attack to win bragging rights within the global hacking community's inner chat room circle.
Most teenaged hackers are unaware of the huge implications these cyber attacks have for businesses and individuals around the world. They do not understand the criminal repercussions of their actions, only learning once it is too late and they have been caught by the authorities.
Virus Detection
Computer viruses are software programs deliberately designed to interfere with the normal operation of the computers it targets. They can corrupt or delete data, and spread themselves to other computers via corporate networks and the Internet.
Most cyber attacks come in the form of a virus that enters a computer without the user knowing it - often by opening an infected e-mail attachment. However, once you open and run an infected program or attachment on your computer, you may still be unaware that you've introduced a virus until you notice something is awry.
Primary indicators that your system could be infected include a slower than usual computer, frequent lock-ups or programs that do not respond, crashes and restarts every few minutes, applications that do not work, and unusual error messages.
Protection for your PC
Before you head out in the sun, you apply sunscreen. This summer, remember to screen against viruses by treating your PC with equal care. Here are four simple steps that will help you avoid being burned by a virus this summer:
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1. Install an Internet Firewall - Firewall programs help protect your
computer from hackers by establishing an encrypted barrier between
your PC and the Internet.
2. Enable Automatic Updates - Automatic Updates are available in software
such as Microsoft Windows XP. It is a tool that downloads and installs
important software security updates automatically, on a schedule that
you set.
3. Update your Antivirus Software - Antivirus programs help protect you
from malicious software that attaches to a program or file in order to
spread from computer to computer.
4. Beware of Attachments - Never open an e-mail attachment from someone
you do not know. Attachments that come from a known source should also
be viewed with suspicion - avoid opening them unless you know exactly
what the attachment is. The sender's computer may have been hijacked
by a hacker to spread a virus through that person's e-mail address
book.
>>
There are many additional resources available to help you protect against cyber attacks. For example, Microsoft provides computer users with free access to extensive information about PC security at www.microsoft.ca/protect. The site offers tips and tricks to help users guard themselves against all types of computer security threats.
For further information: or if you would like to speak to a Microsoft spokesperson, please contact: Ivana Tomas, High Road Communications, (416) 644-2251, itomas@highroad.com
Source: newswire
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