This is a digital world, whether we like it or not. Those who are being dragged into this era with their loose change falling from their pockets as they hang for deal life to their rotary telephones really need to accept that the world has moved on to the digital age. This happened exactly last week, and there's no going back. So its time for those behind the curve to realize the dangers waiting for them in the big wide open scary Internet. |
Types of Internet Security Threats
Identity Theft
Companies are preying on the terrified and using this term to scare their clients into thinking that they will be erased from existence if they do not subscribe to their protection. While this is definitely a growing problem, you need to be as careful in the Cyberworld as you would in the real world. Protect your Social Security number, your credit card information and for heaven's sake, do not reply to Emails sent from your "bank" about resetting your password. If you are concerned about your credit, visit a business like Equifax to check your credit rating a couple of times a year.
Internet Privacy
You'll want to guard your personal information when visiting websites, as well. Each time you sign up for a service, each time you buy something and each time you register a product, you are giving yet another invisible entity access to your personal information. Only give this information to large, trustworthy companies, and be sure to read their privacy policy before submitting anything to anyone. Wireless Soup
The next time you're slurping that Yenti Double Latte at Starbucks or any other wireless hotspot, just remember you are not in control of that network and cannot be 100% sure how guarded your data is as it floats above your head. That shady looking character slumped in the corner with his laptop open might just be reading your email as you type it. So use these hotspot locations as if you were typing while a crowd stood behind you peering over your shoulder. Better yet, use firewalls and encrypt your data as much as possible.
Being realistic about the real dangers in this new era will help you move forward as the technology progresses. Guard your personal information, use street smarts and check your credit rating occasionally to ensure you are not going to become a statistic. |
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