Broadband security
Need for Security
Although the benefit of broadband Internet access is the fact that users are connected to the Internet for most of the time that they are switched on. This has also a negative factor - users now run higher risks than before when using standard dial-up connections that were only connected to the Internet for short periods of time. Connection to the Internet for longer duration compromises people’s security details for the illegal financial gain of others.
Computers are stores for personal information and are heavily involved in our 21st century lifestyles - to buy clothes, book holidays, do our banking and so forth. If somebody was able to gain access to this information, it would be easy for them to commit online fraud from anywhere in the world whilst remaining anonymous.
There are two main points of attack on a computer system, external and internal. An external intrusion attempts come via the Internet whilst you are connected and involve a remote computer finding your computer and probing for any weaknesses in order to access your files. Internal intrusion is where the normal function of the Internet is used to invade your system. An example of this is an email message purporting to be from your bank asking you to confirm personal information. This is known as “phishing”.
Another way in for the fraudsters is to send an innocent looking message which when opens triggers the installation of a program onto your computer which accesses your file and security information and send it back to the originator.
How to protect?
One should be aware that the Internet service provider would not be able to shield completely of such intrusions. The users should be willing to accept these risks involved while using the Internet and learn about them in order to take steps to best protect themselves. There are many anti-virus programs that will l block any attempts made by websites to intrude in to the computer through online programs or other computers to connect with your computer. Installation of such ant virus or anti spy wares will provide a message window that will pop up asking you to either permit the connection or block it. You can approve or disapprove the connection. If you are browsing an unfamiliar website and an attempt at a connection is made, it is best to deny it if you are unsure; if in doubt it is not worth the risk of compromising your details.
In an office environment, always lock your workstation when you leave the desk. If someone were to have more fraudulent motives, they can play with your computer and cause a loss to your data.
At home, make sure that all users are aware of the risks of downloading and installing “free” software from the internet to avoid accidentally downloading a spy ware program which has been “piggy backed” onto innocent looking free software.
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