Internet Landmines - what can a click do?

It is unbelievable how much harm a single click can do. Yet many people flirt around innocently with the internet, unaware of the dangers that are out there. In a lot of ways internet is like an area filled with landmines and any step of yours can be lethal.

Time is premium for most people these days and most of us assume and neglect some critical aspects of internet browsing. In a recent survey, it was concluded that more than 90% of internet users click “OK” or “YES” without reading the content. When installing software, most people in their haste to install their product, click “Next” without reading what they are signing up for, this becomes a habit beyond a point. This is exploited by some of the hackers.

Just a small wonder- have you ever read the term and conditions while signing up for mail account or while installing software? Answer it yourself :)

Many types of software are designed to send back information to the server computer on a regular basis. This information can vary between internet user patters to system resource usage patterns. Even many popular security software products send such information, which is later populated to develop a better product. But sometimes other malicious software might send out vital information such as your credit card information, SSN, or even bank account number and some other important documents which may be stored in your PC for your personal use.
In spite of advancement in the online security technology, there are many sites that pose various levels of threat to the computers. If you have a proper security system installed in your computer, you will be warned. But many people take this lightly, but without your knowledge your security is compromised.

This happens, mostly in case of firewall software’s – when there is a some network trying to access your computer, most of them don’t even have look at what message is being shown in the pop-up and just click “Allow” – sometimes a traffic which needs a “Deny” would be allowed.

Since most of the world, other than Europe and North America, is only recently getting acquainted with the internet. There are many unaware users on the internet. It is not difficult to get the hang once you have been browsing for a while, but initially people trust most of websites what they see, as most of them for a fact lack experience and are unaware about the online security threats.

So here is a little important information that computer users can follow.

• Read and Think before you click “Yes” or “I Agree”

• See if the website has got a “Privacy Policy”

• Always trust sites which are verified by Third Party i.e. having SSL certificate.

• Be careful about phishing attacks through email – You many receive a email claiming it to be from bank, but actually sent by a hacker.

• Always have a look at the link address once before clicking on items. If the link address does not match with the parent site, it is better to avoid such a link.

• Never click on suspicious links.

• Read the security alerts/ pop-ups, before you proceed to click “Access” “Yes” or “Deny”.

• Do not provide your personal information over chat to unknown persons.

• Do not share your passwords

• Have a Virus Scanning Software.