The Unseen Threat: Is Your Computer Safe from Prying Eyes?

The Importance of Cybersecurity

Everyone understands the importance of protecting their systems against viruses. A good anti-virus software can eliminate several viruses every week. Those with a direct internet connection, such as cable or ADSL, understand the importance of installing firewall software. For instance, the free Zone Alarm firewall (www.zonelabs.com) offers protection from hacks coming through open computer ports.

The Third Threat: Malicious Codes

However, there is a third threat that many are unaware of - the potential danger of malicious codes coming in through ports that must be left open to access the internet. Hostile ActiveX codes, Java codes, and Windows scrap objects can be hidden in Rich Text emails, embedded in documents, concealed in games and electronic postcards, or downloaded from websites.

While no responsible webmaster would knowingly place hostile code on their site, many sites are vulnerable to attacks from hackers who have no such scruples. Imagine unknowingly downloading hostile code from your favorite sports site that damages your operating system, installs software that allows third parties to use your computer for denial of service attacks, or makes your personal data available to prying eyes. For more information on this, refer to this article published on ZDNET.

Testing Your System's Vulnerability

To determine whether your system is vulnerable, visit the Finjan website and try their three online tests. They'll check your system for vulnerability to hacks from malicious ActiveX, Java, and Windows scrap objects. If your system is easily hacked, as mine was, you might want to install Finjan's free SurfinGuard Pro software for protection. I'd recommend any Windows users try these tests. You might be glad you did (www.finjan.com).

The Potential Damage: A Case Study

If you're interested in knowing just how much information a skilled hacker could get from your machine, check out this website called Beyond Enemy Lines: http://belps.freewebsites.com.

The webmaster, Man in the Wilderness (MITW), claims to be an internet security expert. MITW is a "white hat" hacker who uses his skills to protect his customers from attack. As the story goes, the head of a professional spamming operation repeatedly forged MITW's domain for spamming purposes. In retaliation, MITW hacked the spammer's computer and published his findings on his website.

After breaking into this woman's system, our white-hat hacker obtained and published screen captures of spam software while it was using his forged domain name to send thousands of emails. MITW also obtained copies of email messages discussing various spam operations, ICQ message logs, and much more. He even found and published semi-nude pictures of the woman and her colleagues and samples of erotic writing found on the computer.

The Importance of Vigilance

Some might argue that this woman deserved what happened to her. Perhaps she did. However, the real message is just how vulnerable our computers can be to hackers if we aren't vigilant.

This woman and her cohorts were running a professional spamming operation. You might think they, of all people, would have protected themselves against hackers. But they did not. Perhaps, like me, they thought they were protected. Remember that my computer was vulnerable in the Finjan testing, despite running up-to-the-minute virus software and a firewall that is rated as one of the best.

Protecting Your Computer

Could your computer withstand a hacker attack? Protecting a computer is now a three-pronged fork. We need anti-virus software, firewalls, and malicious code blocking software.