Examination Of The Threat Of Internet Security

Essay, Research Paper

EXAMINATION OF THE THREAT OF INTERNET SECURITY

The threat of Internet security is an issue of growing concern. In the last decade, the number of computers in use has exploded. For quite some time now, computers have been a crucial element in how we entertain and educate ourselves, and most importantly, how we do business. Research indicates that approximately ninety percent of all computer systems are insecure and hackable. This report points out areas of vulnerability and areas of common security leaks, such as, chat rooms, e-mail, browsers and modems. The report substantiates the reasons for the growing concern and recommends ways to tighten Internet security as well as ways to reduce the risk of Internet hacking through the use of security devices including, but not limited to network firewalls, password audits, encryption and security scans.

Internet security is a tool utilized to protect customers and educated employees. Not securing company information on computer systems costs a business in both dollars and customer trust. Although no one is ever one hundred percent secure, if companies keep the security software up-to-date all the time, the chances are much lower that they will be hacked.

Internet security has never been more complex, especially today with Internet telecommunications infrastructures crossing ground, air, ocean, and space. Within the last five years, businesses have begun to need to share data across wide areas. Unlimited new types of hacking crimes are possible. The Internet has become a playground for CYBER HIJACKERS, HACKERS AND TERRORISTS.

The Internet is a tempting network for crime because of the following:

No global regulation

No “finger prints” or traceable unique digital ID s that are always ON and non removable on computers today.

A general lack of experienced security IT personnel

Errors/bugs created by software vendors create security holes

Lack of technology understanding on the part of the average user who is an easy prey.

Easy access to the Internet from anywhere makes it harder to control.

Online security is a concern and if not correctly implemented, it can become a problem: protecting businesses digitally is now as important as protecting them physically.

Employees – Set-up Internet security guidelines Make certain that employees keep strategic business information out of Internet chat rooms and E-mail messages. Secure your E-mail with encryption service. Encryption services ensure that other people can not view the information contained therein.

E-mail – Recent virus attacks have illustrated how macro and script code could spread easily through e-mail attachments, and people were advised to avoid opening potentially dangerous attachments. However, Windows users can also spread viruses without opening attachments. While updating the virus detection software is very important, it is not a complete solution for this problem. The flaws in the software also need to be corrected.

Denial-of-service e-mail attacks There are two types of denial-of-service e-mail attacks: ping-pong auto-responders, which are simply return addresses, and cascading confirmation receipts. Both instances would result in an infinite amount of redundant e-mail traffic causing networked computers to disconnect or just crash. Computer hackers look for computers that are permanently connected to the Internet and that are not protected by firewalls.

Modems – Business security measures can be rendered insufficient if a modem is attached to a networked computer. An employee connected to his/her computer through the modem bypasses the firewall, and has access to the entire company computer network. Unfortunately, this practice is entirely too prevalent and well known to hackers. A determined hacker encountering an Internet firewall will typically first try to go around the security by finding an unprotected modem on a networked computer. Unauthorized modems pose more threat on an organization s security than ever before, largely as a result of the evolution of computer networks.

Browsing the Web – Use a proxy service or browse anonymously Hackers can get to your business through your employees home computers too. Every click made with the mouse is recorded. And while the information that is recorded is not always used against the user, he/she is probably giving away more information about the organization than suspected. Computers on the Internet are identified by their IP addresses. Those with dial-up Internet connection receives a new IP address each time making it more difficult for the hacker to track, but those with a permanent connection to the internet run a higher risk of the hacker being able to access their information. With IP addresses as a key, hackers could compile anything from credit card numbers to customer data that has been input into Web forms.

Chat Rooms – Most chat rooms do not implement serious security policies and clearly defined boundaries of chat room behavior. Too many chat rooms have become nothing more than a fertile hunting ground for the worst the Internet has to offer including: con artists, stalkers and malicious hackers. Employees and personal computer users should only utilize secure chat rooms accessible by registered users only. All identities of register

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