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Internet Security and Malware Threats

By Kristin Gabriel

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Published: 04Sep2010
Word count: 631
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There are a number of Web based threats or malicious software called malware - hostile, intrusive, or annoying program code - designed to infiltrate your computer system without your consent. It includes computer viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, adware, rootkits, botnets, crimeware, and other unwanted software. Malware requires titanium strength technology to combat it.

The US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation says that malware involves organized Internet crime. In 2009, businesses lost $120 million in the third quarter to phishing and Trojan-based online banking scams. $25 million was lost by small businesses. Today a cyber-criminal's objective is to make money from invading your computer at home and at work. There are less computer viruses or worms but we are seeing more phishing attacks and spam numbers are exploding with organized crime and more pieces of malware.

Tracking browsing habits and advertising are part of the crimes but primarily these are targeted attacks that use computer systems for criminal activities. Anti-virus software has been retired in lieu of more savvy in-the-cloud technology geared to automatically stop viruses and spyware for complete Internet security.

In an annual report of the FBI-backed Internet Crime Complaint Center, Internet crime loss complaints in the United States have almost doubled in value from $265 million in 2008 to $560 million in 2009. The total dollar loss from all referred cases was $559.7 million with a median dollar loss of $575. At 65.4 percent, the U.S ranked highest for the number of perpetrators. These statistics are why Internet security and safety is critical today. The Center also reported that the unit handled 336,655 complaints in 2009.

The challenge is that malware works fast in stealth mode, and data-stealing malware can cause damage via one click which can compromise a company's reputation or personal confidential data.

Here are some basic guidelines for safe computing online:

1.) Always install Microsoft's critical updates - the monthly software updates designed to patch security vulnerabilities and threats. All critical updates from Microsoft must be installed monthly.

2.) Make sure you have installed anti-virus/spyware/malware protection. Look for in-the-cloud technology to automatically stop viruses and spyware before they reach your computer.

3.) Add a Firewall to block a hacker's attempts to access your computer. Windows® XP, Windows Vista® and Windows 7® all have a built in firewall which will block and filter Internet traffic so harmful programs like spyware and viruses don't have access to computers.

4.) Install Opera,Firefox, or Chrome as a second browser because most spyware and viruses target Internet Explorer. Often a virus is designed to keep Internet Explorer from accessing the Internet when a computer becomes infected with spyware.

5.) Always disable Java Script - viruses and spyware are using Java script to launch attacks so you should disable or at least change the browser setting to ask before running Java script.

6.) Never open email attachments from anyone you don't know - as almost all viruses infect computers through email attachments. Click on the attachment and delete the email immediately whenever you get an email from someone you do not know.

7.) Do not install programs off the Internet. The Internet is full of websites designed to trick you into downloading spyware and viruses. If you get a random pop-up from an internet site asking you to install something, especially a ".exe" file - just say no.

8.) Remember to back up all your critical data - bills, banking or tax information, school work, email or other critical information on your computer. Create a weekly backup by using an external hard drive, a flash drive or subscribe to one of the many online backup services.

Traditional content security solutions are simply not fast enough to keep pace with the thousands of new attacks being created on an hourly, basis. But there are exciting new technologies that can assist consumers and enterprises alike in fighting the war against cybercrime.

Kristin Gabriel writes for Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security for Netbooks which uses cloud technology to automatically stop viruses and spyware before they reach your computer. Real-time updates keep PCs protected from the latest online threats. Using less than half the disk space and memory of traditional security products, Titanium is light on system resources so computers run faster. Visit: http:/www.trendmicro.com.

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