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Return To Safety Article Archive   Search the Article Archives Spyware and Security Holes - A Threat to Personal and National Security By Debbie Jacobsen The department of homeland security issued a rare warning on August 10, pertaining to a major security flaw in Windows that could allow an attacker to take control of your computer without your knowledge. Microsoft issued a patch to fix this flaw, and the warning strongly urges everyone to install it ASAP. There is been lot of discussion lately within the computer security/internet security community regarding the strong possibility of a terrorist attack done via remote controlled computers. The potential is very real, and this is most likely the reason homeland security is publicly speaking out about this particular security flaw . Why Do Developers Constantly Issue Security Patches?  Why Cant They Just Build Secure Software? Hot fixes and security patches are regularly issued by Microsoft as well as all developers of operating systems and computer applications.  No software is 100% secure when it is released to the public, even though the developer has made every effort to ensure that it is.  Developers  find new security 'holes' every day, and this is why they issue security patches - to plug the holes.  How do they find out about these 'security holes'?  When users start reporting that their computer has been hijacked, their identity has been stolen, or their data has been corrupted or destroyed.  Hackers, cyber-criminals, social engineers, and now 'terrorists' are constantly looking for new ways to find and exploit every security vulnerability they can find.  They make their living by invading our computers with spyware, tricky phishing emails, spam, and viruses.  The Other Part of The Security Problem - Spyware When cyber-criminals discover security flaws in Windows and other computer applications, they use a tiny application known as spyware to remotely control your computer.  Spyware is actually installed before the security hole is exploited, providing the criminal with a 'secret agent' that lives on the inside.  The spyware then 'talks' to its master via open security holes within your software applications.  Spyware can secretly install simply by browsing to unscrupulous websites, clicking on a link in an email, or by installing free software such as games and screensavers.  Spyware is a 'spy' that lives inside your computer, and operates secretly without your knowledge. In most cases, we have no idea our computer or personal information has been compromised until it is too late.  By the time we notice the rarely seen symptoms of dangerous spyware (computer starts running really slow or takes a long time to boot up), our computer is likely either a remotely controlled member of a 'botnet', or our  financial information and/or identity has already been stolen.  Most internet users who dont concern themselves too much with computer security either dont totally understand the need to take security measures, or they havent yet been victimized.  Many folks fail to keep their computer updated, and dont see the need to spend money on protective security software because they feel they dont have anything of value on their computer.  What they dont realize is that the computer itself has value to a cyber criminal, who can remotely control it and use it to send millions of spam emails, host illegal pharming websites, or use it to help launch a cyber-attack on governments and businesses.  This is all done without the users knowledge, thanks to spyware.  Spyware can also track your browsing habits, capture keystrokes, and secretly send screenshots of your online account access to cyber thieves, who use this information to wipe out your bank account or steal your identity.  A Proactive Approach to Computer Security Internet security threats are quickly becoming a huge problem for us personally as well as to our national and global security.  In addition to allowing an attacker to remotely control our computers, security holes are exploited in order to steal our identities and our financial assets.  As evidenced by this Homeland Security warning, it is becoming more and more important for all internet users to take a proactive approach to protecting our computers.  If we all take the proper security precautions on a regular basis, we can greatly reduce the risk of cyber-terrorist attacks on our society as well as personal identity theft.  Following are two things you can do right now to ensure that you are always protected from most internet security threats: Use Automatic Updates These days it is easier than ever to be proactive when it comes to computer security, as long as you are running modern operating systems and applications.  Nearly all software vendors include 'automatic update' capability in their products now.  To keep software up to date, all you normally have to do is 'set it and forget it'. Use a Computer Security Suite Also known as an internet security suite, a computer security suite is a 'bundled' package of applications designed to work together to provide you with a total 'blanket of protection'.  Typically consisting of anti virus software, anti spyware/anti adware software, and a software firewall (also referred to as a 'personal firewall'), a computer security suite is the most affordable and easiest method of protecting yourself and your computer from all possible security threats.  There are several excellent computer security suites on the market, and all of the highly regarded brands will provide you with outstanding 'all-inclusive' protection.  Consider the following recommended products:  F-Secure Internet Security, Bit Defender Internet Security, Norton Internet Security, and Panda Platinum Internet Security. For more information on computer security threats, be sure to visit Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware Resources. About the Author: Debbie Jacobsen is an information technology professional. Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware Resources Computer Security for Everyone Accident Prevention

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