Today’s Top Internet Security Threats

It can be a full time job keeping up with the latest security threats on the Internet each and every year. Thankfully, there are thousands of dedicated individuals whose job it is to take care of that sort of thing for us so we only have to do the bare minimum. Since the top threats are constantly changing, let’s take a look at the methods in which hackers use to begin their reign of terror on our computers.

Even though email-based computer security has improved dramatically in the last decade, one of the top internet security threats still comes from electronic mail. While there are a number of different ways a virus can spread itself, many still choose email attachments as their preferred mode of transport. Surprisingly, there are still many people who automatically open attachments without thinking and since this method automatically skips over firewalls, it is a very effective way to get a bug. The rule of thumb you want to follow is to never open an attachment you didn’t specifically ask for, especially if the file extension is .exe or .dll. Today’s latest internet security threats still come in the form of email attachments.

For as long as strangers have shared space on the Information Superhighway, there has been illegal file sharing going on in one form or another. We all know about Napster and how successful that site was, and today, peer-to-peer file sharing easily qualifies as one of the top internet and network security threats of today’s Internet. Although most people won’t admit it, it is very tempting to download a song we like, a favorite television show or even a movie so we don’t have to pay for it. In reality, these files are often rife with viruses, malware and other programs that can seriously damage your computer. Downloads in general are often unsafe unless they are from a trusted source, so the next time you want to “borrow” a file from a peer-to-peer file sharing service, you might want to think twice before doing it.

If you are a frequent Internet user, chances are, you’ve used a chat program like AIM, Yahoo Chat or MSN at one point or another. For the most part, these networks are safe, but they also allow for the easy transfer of files from one point to another. Just like IRC did 15 years ago, these chat programs allow for complete strangers to meet and talk, and sometimes, you may end up getting more than you bargained for. In most cases, people get viruses from these programs because the person they are chatting with is already infected and doesn’t realize it. They may send you a picture of themselves or a poem they wrote in Microsoft Word and the file will carry with it a bug. If you insist on trading files using instant messaging software, make sure you scan every file before opening it. While these programs appear safe, they are considered top internet security threats.

Finally, now that removable media such as flash drives have such massive capacity, people are share them constantly to move what were once considered huge files. Many people plug in their flash drive at work to move important documents they need and then transfer those files to their home machines. The problem is that you may end up getting more than the files that you want. Always perform a virus scan when using any removable media, including external hard drives. You may not realize it, but that tiny flash drive in your pocket could be one of the top Internet security threats.