Protecting Your Computer in a Recession

Cybercrime is on the rise as the economy falls deeper into recession. Recent reports have highlighted the increased threat to business IT systems as well as home computer users as more and more people look for ways to illegally gain access to cash. It is estimated that the number of scams and mal-ware programs has tripled in the last six months since the stock market drop in September 2008

There are a number of different ways that you can become a victim of cybercrime these days. Below are the most commonly used attacks and recommendations for keeping your computer safe.

Phishing

Phishing quickly became the most popular form of cyberhacking geared toward individual users. We become the victims of phishing attacks when we follow false warnings supposedly released by familiar institutions. These false warning come in the form of pop-ups on websites but are most often embedded as links inside spam email that comes to our inbox.

Safeguard: The best way to avoid being the victim of phishing is to be very discerning as you surf the web. Do not click on anything that you are not certain is what you are looking for. When receiving emails, hover your mouse over the link and read the URL. The text may say “Confirm your Bank of America user name and password here” but the URL may go to a 100 character address that is clearly not an authorized bank URL. Delete these messages immediately.

Cyberhijacks

Cyberhijacks occur when criminals access username and password information and then use it to enter accounts traditionally. These ‘hijackers’ can get this information in a variety of ways including social engineering attacks, system theft and phishing emails. Your information thus becomes hijacked and out of your control when this happens. This is a cybercrime often targeted at government agencies and law enforcement.

Safeguard: Avoid sharing your personal information, including usernames and passwords verbally, even if you are at work and seemingly in a safe environment. Don’t safe your passwords and other vital information in your email or other programs that can be easily hacked or accessed by others. Never write down passwords and change your passwords regularly.

Trojans

Trojans are a type of cyberhijack where programs ‘steal’ your system, typically without the user knowing, and access personal information. Trojans infect a computer through tainted email, bad websites and even online banner ads.

Safeguard: Common sense is your friend. Be selective and aware of sites you are going to and banners you are clicking. If it doesn’t look like a trusted service or banner, then assume it isn’t and avoid clicking. Don’t assume emails from your bank are real. Access your online account directly from the web address you know to be correct rather than through a recent email. Also, always make sure your system security features are up-to-date with the latest version and set appropriately to allow you freedom to work without compromising your laptop or system.

Social Network Scams

Social networks like Facebook and MySpace are becoming common areas for online criminals to create fake identities and networks in which to springboard phishing emails and other attacks to thousands of people. Others are simply scoping out online profiles for information they can use to gain access to you or your information. These sites try to cut out false IDs but that is a daunting and difficult task that does not keep up with the growing number of cyber criminals.

Safeguard: Only become friends with people you truly know and trust. Do not forward emails or requests to others unless you know the individual personally. Do not post sensitive information on your social network profile and do not upload sensitive documents to an online source. That information can be used in against you in court. It can also be used to gain access to your life. Be smart about what you say about yourself online.

This may sound paranoid. It may even sound cynical. But in these difficult times, people are pushed to do desperate things. It is better to be careful and concerned then be careless and cyberhacked.

~Colleen Welch, 2009