How Not to Become a Victim on the Internet

The Internet allows people to transmit and receive data from around the world with an ease never known before in human history. It is possible to transmit data from one place to another across thousands of mile in the blink of an eye. The technology that makes the Internet so accessible is a dual edged sword because the ease inherent in the system makes it vulnerable to compromise. Cyber criminals use the technologies that allow the free flow of information that the Internet provides to invade computer systems. This invasion is not limited to breeching government or corporate systems; anyone who has a system tied to the Internet is vulnerable. The costs associated with cyber crime are astronomical. This cost may be difficult to estimate because the crimes are far-reaching and often difficult to detect. For example, identity thief can cost single individual thousands of dollars. Even after the thief has been detected it can take years to correct the damage. In addition cyber invasion can breech security and compromise sensitive and confidential files, such as those of medical facilities, insurance companies and banks. Sensitive information from medical records or psychological difficulties can be used in detrimental ways. It has been argued that this personal information can be used to deny employment or insurance and in numerous other insidious purposes.

Hackers invade systems and corrupt, manipulate and plant data that can disrupt businesses and crash entire systems. They accomplish this by using techniques that are often difficult to detect or trace. For instance, a hacker may send out a probe that is designed to search for flaws in a computer or networks security. These holes in the system can be used to insert worms or viruses that attack the host systems. Not only can these malicious programs and files corrupt data, they can wrench control of the machine from the user and be used to further other thefts and mayhem by being hijacked and integrated into a networked controlled by a hacker.