The threat of online security: How safe is our data?

Internet is become more and more popular in world wide. Human are become more and more rely to the computer. We can find much information through the internet. However, internet is not a safe place for the web users. Every unprotected online computer can be affected with the viruses, malware, adware, hackers’ attacks and Trojans with only in 20 minutes. On the internet, there are numerous security risks that can lead the web users to serious financial loss, information theft and the attack on web user’s computer. The common online security threats include the following.

The most common online security threat is viruses. A virus in the computer is a program or programming code that replicates by being copied or initiating its copying to another program, computer boot sector or document. Through attachments to an e-mail note or in a downloaded file, viruses can be transmitted. Besides, it may also present on a diskette or CD. Some of the viruses may wreak their effect as soon as their code is executed. While, others viruses may lie dormant until circumstances cause their code to be executed by the computer. Moreover, some of the virus can be quite harmful, erasing data or causing your hard disk to require reformatting. A virus replicates itself by resending itself as an e-mail attachment or as part of a network message is known as a worm.

Spyware is another online security threat. It is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the internet, spyware is a programming that is put in someone’s computer to secretly gather information about the user and spread it to advertisers and other interested parties. A software virus or installing a new program may create an opportunity for spyware to get in to the computer.

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. Besides, adware can usually be thought of as spyware as well because it almost invariably includes components for tracking and reporting user information.

Malware is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Thus, malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and also spyware, programming that gathers information about a computer user without permission. Furthermore, it can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, serve up nasty pop-up ads, track what web sites you visit, and generally screw things up. Moreover, it usually is poorly-programmed and can cause your computer to become unbearably slow and unstable in addition to all the other havoc they wreak.

Hackers are a term used by some to mean “a clever programmer” and by other, especially those in popular media, to mean “someone who tries to break into computer systems.” It also describes someone who attempts to break into computer systems. This kind of hacker has the sufficient technical knowledge to understand the weak points in a security system and act maliciously.

A Trojans horse is a destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. One of the most insidious types of Trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses onto your computer.

With the specialized hackings tools and scripts that are special designed, the unprotected computer may be attacked. So being a web user, it is very important that web user to learn something about the common online threats. Besides, the web users should learn some protection against these few threat that we have just discussed. So that, our important data and information can be protected from theft and does not causes us financial loss.