by Officer John Thomas
When we think about cyber security we usually think about big businesses or government agencies, but securing your computers and information is important in your small business too. Hackers and thieves have a number of reasons to break into your computer but the most common are to steal the information stored there and to use the resources of your computer to do their bidding. This article will identify some of the ways hackers get into your computer and offer some tips for keeping your computer safe.
One of the things a hacker wants from your computer is information. Many businesses have valuable information stored on their computer such as bank account information, passwords, and customer information. Hackers can use this information to steal from your accounts, or from your customers, often before you realize there is something wrong.
Another thing hackers want from your computer is its resources. They can put a program on your computer that allows them to take control of your computer and have it perform tasks right under your nose without you being aware anything is happening. These tasks include things like gathering valid e-mail addresses, sending spam e-mail, and spreading viruses, just to name a few. If you leave your computer on all the time, it is a valuable resource to hackers.
There are many ways hackers can gain access to your computer. They might look for an unsecured connection like a wireless network, or a wired connection with no firewall. Another way they gain access is through malware. Hackers can get malware onto your computer by sending infected e-mails. If you have ever received an e-mail from an unknown source with something interesting, like a picture of a cute, fuzzy kitty, but no words, you may have had malware installed on your computer. Another way is setting up bogus websites that get you to click on links. Once the malware is on your computer, it can do whatever the creator intended without you even knowing it is there.
One of the best ways you can protect yourself is to get a comprehensive security software program for your computer. Another thing is to use encryption on your wireless connections. If your internet service provider offers a firewall, use it. Always do a virus and malware scan on any media you use, such as a thumb drive or a data disk. Choose an e-mail program which offers good filtering capabilities and learn to use them effectively.
Do not follow links included in an e-mail, even if the e-mail appears to be from someone you know. Many times malware is sent from people’s e-mail addresses without their knowledge. It may seem impossible to avoid cyber-attacks on your computers but following some basic rules can greatly reduce your risk.
Community Service Officer John Thomas is a long time resident of Temecula and is a Crime Prevention Officer with the Temecula Police Department Crime Prevention Unit. He can be reached at (951) 506-5132.