The Threat of Online Security

Online Security has become an enormous concern to people surfing the Internet, and to people conducting business on the World Wide Web.

Nowadays, people rely on computers to create, store and manage critical information. Consequently, it is important for users to aware that computer security plays a major role in protecting their data from loss, damage, and misuse.

Nowadays, computer users are facing the threats of hacking, phishing, internet and network attacks such as computer viruses, worms and Trojan horses and back doors.

Cybercrime is defined as online or internet-based illegal acts. Hackers, crackers and corporate spies are people who have advanced computer and network skills access computers and networks illegally with the intent of destroying data, stealing proprietary data and information. Virus is a piece of code that is secretly introduced into a system in order to corrupt it or destroy data. Virus attack can damage the operating system, causing the loss of data and other possible losses. A worm is a program that copies itself repeatedly. The repeatedly copied files use up the available space and slow down a computer operating speed. On the other hand, a Trojan horse is a program that hides within or looks like a legitimate program. Although they seem to be harmless, they may however be triggered if certain condition is certified.

In conclusion, risk exposed by computer users is increasing with the increasing developed technology. Therefore, safeguards developed must be always up to date to enhance the defenses against online security threats. In the same time, users must be educated and informed about the crucial damages and loss caused by imposing online security threats.

Internet and network attack that jeopardize security include virus, worm, and Trojan horse.

A back door is a set of instructions in a program that allow users to bypass security control when accessing a program, computer, or network. Once perpetrators gain access to unsecure computers, they often install a back door or modify an existing program to include a back door, enabling them to continue to access the computers remotely without the user’s knowledge.