cyber attacks in USA and challenges
Cyber attacks in USA. Did you offend anyone? Do you have poor online habits that might allow someone to quickly gain access to your bank accounts? Are you in the middle of a divorce or have you given your spouse reason to suspect something is amiss? Are your adult children looking for their supposed inheritance? Have you posted to your Web site inflammatory or inciting comments?
Who might the culprit be?
We find that over 90 percent of cyber attacks come from someone you know. Often times, the attack is a result of some trivial or heated disagreement at work with a colleague, or at home with a spouse, child, or relative. Most computers that are randomly compromised are done so to utilize some zombie or peer-to-peer manipulation of your computer’s processing power, not your personal data
What might you have that they want?
Again, are they looking for money? If yes, what information is on your computer that wouldn’t be found on your statements in the filing cabinet? Are you taking sensitive data from your workplace home? Is this sensitive data from work on your home computer, or on a laptop, or on a portable media device like a USB thumb-drive, MP3 player, or iPod? Again, why would a complete stranger want to hack your computer system? Sadly, many times there is more information about you in your trash than on your computer
How did they gain access to your computer system, PDA, or cell phone?
Once again, we leave the cyber space for a moment and return to ordinary crime. Was the scene of the crime electronic only, or did you assist by forgetting to address some physical security issues?
When could these attacks have occurred? Do you leave your computer on and connected to the Internet at all times? Do you leave your digital information open and available? What were you doing and where were you when the attack occurred? Figure it out and plan on preventing easy access. Make access to your personal information difficult, even if it means it will be inconvenient for you. Cynthia Heatherington, a leading expert in identity protection, suggests six steps to protect yourself in the online world.