How to avoid a costly personal cyber attack

[aman8819]

Watch your back from hack attacks



Follow these tips to avoid having your personal and financial details stolen over the internet.

You receive an email promising a great joke if you open the attachment. You're not sure who sent it but you feel like a laugh and open it anyway. Big mistake.

Attackers can break into your computer by sending you an email attachment with malware (malicious software) or downloading malware on to your computer when you open a link on a webpage.

They want to use personal and financial details on your computer to steal money, buy things on your credit card or open up bank accounts in your name.

Anyone who uses the internet needs to be aware of basic computer security.

1. Don't click the link

If you don't know who sent the email, or if it's not a trusted website, then don't click the link.

Beware: there is always an increase in email phishing scams around Christmas, whereby scammers have a fake retail store website and capture your credit card details when you buy online.

2. Use strong passwords

Most of the population is still using '1234567' or their first name and last name,

The problem is that there are about 20 different things that require passwords,The strategy now is to write them down it is a complete U-turn and put them in your wallet [which is usually in a safe place]. If you lose your wallet, you stop your credit cards and can also reset all your online passwords.

"And never click 'remember my password'."

Use capitals, lower case, numbers and symbols in passwords. Don't use words in the dictionary. Change passwords regularly.

Password software is good at generating strong passwords but the human brain is the best tool of all

3. Install Antivirus software

Always have up-to-date antivirus protection and get regular updates, Don't press 'do it later' and update six weeks later.

4. Reconfigure wireless routers

Buy a router with secure wireless encryption, otherwise your information is unprotected and can be stolen: for example, when banking or shopping online.

When you get a new modem from a network provider, it may not be secured to encrypt traffic,"People should go to the administration panel and configure their wireless network to WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.

Reconfiguring routers is easy and something people don't do properly,

Change the name of the router to something obscure, otherwise it gives attackers information on how best to attack that router, Also, change the default login to a unique password.

5. Keep software up to date

This will ensure your software has the latest security upgrades. Attackers are always thinking up new ways to penetrate security. Don't ignore update notifications.

6. Use a secure web browser

Firefox or Opera are secure web browsers

"Internet Explorer is highly targeted by attackers because it is on so many machines. IE generally takes longer to patch or fix vulnerabilities."

7. Encrypt email

Learn to use email encryption for sensitive documents.

Don't send emails such as a child's health resume using Gmail or Hotmail. "There was [the recent case] where a Gmail employee started going through people's email accounts."

aman8819 Reviewed by aman8819 on 26th Jan 2011. How to avoid a costly personal cyber attack Watch your back from hack attacks Follow these tips to avoid having your personal and financial details stolen over the internet. You receive an email promising a great joke if you open the attachment. You're not sure who sent it but you feel like a laugh and open it anyway. Big mistake. Attackers can break into your computer by sending you an email attachment with malware (malicious software) or downloading malware on to your computer when you open a link on a webpage. Rating: 5

[EsotorisK]

Nice tutorial

[shanit]

Yeah its nice

[Skylookspink]

Can "Log me in Automatically" or "Remember Me" be a reason for being hacked(unless i use a shared computer)?

Actually i use "Remember Me" as it save times and energy. And i use Nod 32 antivirus which is updated regularly and i use my own pc which no one uses. So, stil there can be chance of being hacked?

Thanks...

[sane_i]

its simple - don't use your pc