Week 3 [09.04-15.04.2018] Safety on the internet and possible threat of world informational security
Safety in Internet
In its importance for the development of society, information is equated with the most important resources alog with raw materials and energy. In developed countries, the majority of workers are not engaged in physical production, but rather in information processing of some degree. At the same time, it is possible to note a new trend, which consists of increasing information depedance of society as whole and of an individual in particular. That is why such categories as "information policy", "information security", "information war" and a whole bunch of other new concepts, to some extent connected with information, have appeared.
In the modern business world, there is a process of migration of material assets towards information. As the organization system becomes more complex, the main task of which is to maximise the efficiency of doing business in the constantly changing competition in the market.
Considering information as a commodity, we can say that information security in general can lead to significant cost savings, while the damage done to it leads to material costs. For example, the disclosure of the technology of manufacturing the original product will lead to the appearance of a similar product from another manufacturer, so hat the owner or author will lose part of the market etc.
Information security is one of the main problems that modern society is facing. The reason for the aggravation of this problem is the large-scale use of automated means of accumulation, storage, processing and transmission of information.
When working on the Internet it should be clear that as far as the resources of the World Wide Web are open to each client, the resources of its computer system can be opened to all who have the necessary means under certain conditions.
The detructive nature of viruses, and other malware, that are used by people for personal gain or amusement was shown many times, as famous viruses destroyed work infrastructure of corporations, scientific or military organizations, and simply made life harded for individual users.
Starting in 2013 the new kind of malware CryptoLocked was introduced to internet. CryptoLocker is a new family of ransomware programs whose business model (yes, malware is a business for someone!) Is based on extorting money from users. This program continues the trend started by another infamous malicious program that also extorts money from its victims - the so-called "Police Virus", which asks users to pay a "fine" for unlocking their computers. However, unlike the "police virus", CryptoLocker hacks the users' documents and asks them to pay the ransom with a very limited payment term. This malware generates a random symmetric key for each file that he is going to encrypt, and then encrypts the contents of the file using the AES algorithm using this key. The program then encrypts the random key using an asymmetric public-private key (RSA) encryption algorithm and keys larger than 1024 bits (we saw samples that used keys of length 2048 bits), and adds it to the encrypted file. Thus, the Trojan ensures that only the owner of the private key of RSA can receive the random key that was used to encrypt the file. In addition, since computer files are overwritten, it is impossible to access them using special methods.
Cybesecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime will cost the world in excess of six trillion dollas annually by 2021. Ransomware is expected to worsen and make up much larger share of total cybercrime.
Cybesecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime will cost the world in excess of six trillion dollas annually by 2021. Ransomware is expected to worsen and make up much larger share of total cybercrime.
Questions:
1. Have you been a victim of some malware ?
2. What do you do to protect yourself from internet threats ?
3. Do you think a malware and viruses will be one of major threat of future ?
Comments
I validate sites before I enter, watch what I click and do not download crap from the internet. It's astonishing how many people get their computers infected by their own choice. I mean my age mates, not elders, who do that because of the tech gap.
In my opinion it is not that easy to do any harm to someone who minds the basic security. If you follow simple rules you should stay fine. I don't use any anti-stuff software and I'm not bragging about it now but just proving it is possible to avoid infecting your computer with any kind of unwanted software and it is not so hard as it may seem to some of us.
I think that cybercrime overall will always be a major problem and Ransomware "trend" won't stop any time soon. The best we can do as end-users is just to be aware of those threats and try to prevent getting affected.
To protect my computer I don't use any fancy antivirus programs - I think that the default antivirus software is as good as any custom system - because the most important and the most vulnerable point of computer security is a human. I try to always pay attention to the files I download and run on my computer, never follow unknown links and change my passwords frequently.
I think that viruses are the big threat already and with increasing computational - soon everyone will have a fully operational operating system installed in their fridge - the problem will only get bigger.
How do i protect myself from malwares ? I don't use any kind of antiviruses and other "helping" programms, i just read attentively all the instructions when i want to install something and nothing bad happens.
I really don't think that viruses will be a threat in the future. The main reason why is our default operation system applications. They are so effective now, so we don't need to install anything else.
It is certainly a good way to use an anti-virus program and check where the inputs are kept. Additionally, I do not download files from an unknown source.
You can't ignore viruses for sure, and just as technology develops, so will viruses. I think it will be like it is now
Generally, I have anti-virus software and two adblocker plugins added to my browser but in my opinion, I simply use the internet the way that shouldn’t be harmful. After years of using it I’ve gained some experience and I know which sites I should avoid.
I think that it can’t be a major threat in future. Nowadays there are more interesting threats in the world wide web.
I believe that the first instance of internet protection should always be a user. Don't click on any suspicious links or download and install anything from the source that you don't know or trust and you should be save. Of course it's not that easy in reality, but you simply just have to think sometimes before you do something on the internet. To feel safer I'm using an antivirus which runs some scans from time to time, but it never found anything on my computer, so I guess my first instance of protection is working. ;)
Unfortunately, I thinks it's possible as more of our home devices will have a connection with internet the chance of getting infected by malware is becoming bigger.
I think that I do not have any important data and information for the world to let anyone attack me. I use typical anti-viruses to protect my account details. They are enough for me and I think that in the near future I won't need anything special.
I believe that it protects me from everything that could disturb my work. I't enough for me. In my opinion, the best protection is information gathering and thinking.
If we have enough information about a threat, it is easier for us to avoid it.
It is very likely that with the development of the Internet and new technologies such a threat will become more and more serious.
In order to protect myself from viruses on the Internet, I use a free anti-virus program and it works fine. Occasionally, I also do a reboot of the whole system.
I agree with you that we have entered lately a digital era, and the change in the economy structure of moving from physical to virtual work spaces make us more vulnerable to virtual threats. I feel that some kind of special official forces should be created, such as the Internet police, that would keep it safe for the people on the Internet and bring order, should it be needed.
As I was saying I don't use any specialistic software to protect myself. I try to avoid a suspicious websites and I don't use a illegal softwere e.g. from torrents because it could contains dangerous scripts which can be used to take over your computer by a hacker.
I think that we should focus on our privacy in the inter-network and also on dangerous malware. We should educate people how to avoid dangerous situations and that they shouldn't share their personal data for public view. As a programmers we should also make an effort to build software which will protect our resources and also our users. I predict that dangerous malware will be one of the most dangerous aspects of our live because for some years everything will have a inter-network connection and then hackers will have power to e.g. hack devices like a fridge, TV or even a heating. We are excited about a AI algorithms and we already have a e.g. autonomous cars. Please imagine what could happen when a hacker will have power to take controll of our car on a motorway when we travel with a big speed. We have to be concious that malware will not be only dangerous for our data but also for us.
At this time I never have had virus on my PC even if take on mind that I use only default (Win 10) antivirus (that enough for me).
To my humble opinion malware and viruses will be one of the major threats in future because the majority of users have no idea what they are downloading from the internet and how to protect against it.
As I said, it's very important to be careful in the Internet. It's very important to have the newest version of software. Secondly, anti virus can help us and but Windows or Mac OS X have their own defenders.
I think that viruses will be on the same level like nowadays because developers are fixing their software and making it safer.
After 3 years of using Linux I'm finding it hilarious when i read
stories about another windows breach. Its finally time to move on to better
(and free) solutions. Cut back on playing video games!
I suggest installing uBlock with some custom filters, noScript which cuts off any
malverous javascript (or uMatrix which allows to mantain control on every website object). (And stop visiting porn sites)
A long time ago I get a message that my Windows is locked after installing suspicious software.
2. What do you do to protect yourself from internet threats ?
Don't install suspicious software, check https when send my passwords, use different passwords for every resource.
3. Do you think a malware and viruses will be one of major threat of future ?
For private users, I don't think so. But for companies this is the huge problems, for example a hotel malware that locked all rooms, and owners was forced to pay money.
But it's more scary, when I think about the "smart" things - the fridge, washing machine, automated vacuum, cars... It's all not protected at is should be and in the future it will be the main problem with security. All systems are as strong as their weakest component. And it won't change in the several decades, it will be even more visible. I recall that there was article where security engineer said that 15 years ago he would not believe, that today it could be possible to send air strike to kill a single hacker. And today it's normal for government to request this type of order, because danger of creating complex viruses and all kind of attacks is too great to ignore.
I must say, when i was young it happend several times, but noone of them was a serious one. I just had to clean my computer or reinstall the system and after that it was all fine.
2. What do you do to protect yourself from internet threats ?
Of course i have an antivirus on my PC, but it’s most of the time not enough to protect computer from internet threats. I never download unverified stuff from insecure websites, but if I have to I always check properly that page on sites like safeweb.norton.com
3. Do you think a malware and viruses will be one of major threat of future ?
I think they have potential to be really dangerous in the future, because we are storing more and more information online, so lots of people would like to take control of it and use it eg. taking a loan.
2. Besides trying to be smart when browsing the internet. I have home pc, separate from my laptop, that I use for installing untrusted software. I also keep my software up to date. Honestly, I don’t bother with anti-virus programs other than the one that windows provides. And when it comes to Linux distributions I just do often clean installs.
3. According to your post it will be and I agree. With increasing informatization and reliance on software affecting all businesses. It will be increasingly more profitable to perform this illegal activity.
I use, what i think is the best think we can us e: COMMON SENSE!, its been close to 5 years since i stopped using additional anti malware, antivirus software solutions on my machines, and its been close to 5 years since i had last "confirmed" infections. What do i mean by "confirmed" there have been times when my pc would misbehave, or seem to be malfunctioning every one of those times antivirus/malware searches and scans of my pc showed no results. Since i developed pretty nice and easy system in order to make potential pc restores and repair painless i always do so if i feel like it might be infected even if the results show nothing.
No i think that "legitimate" companies and services will become threat of the future. Ignorant and non tech savvy ppl put trust (in my opinion) in too many services and sites online, we have become and revenue source not "customers" and most ppl to this day fail to realize that.
Not so long time ago, I became a victim of malicious software. I opened an email on my mobile phone where I also have the Skype application installed.
Unfortunately, the mail had a virus, which triggered a series of sent links to everyone on my contact list.
2. What do you do to protect yourself from internet threats ?
In order to protect myself against malware, I try not to click on suspicious links, and I have an anti-virus program that performs system scans and warns of infected files.
3. Do you think a malware and viruses will be one of major threat of future ?
Certainly, ensuring data security is a big challenge for the future. Currently, a large part of viruses is based on the user's
ignorance and leads to a harmless but annoying operation of the computer system. Unfortunately, there are more advanced and sophisticated software.
For example, a virus that changed the account number during copying which led to the transfer being forwarded to another account.
Such a virus causes a lot of damage and better protection should be created for such situations.
2. I'm just using Internet with brain. Trying to avoid shady web sites, downloading files from places, that I'm not sure about.
3. Yes. Viruses now can empty your bank account and it is a serious problem. You can't be sure about everything, because any kind of security system can be broken.
I do not use any cracked games or applications. I used to use ones in the pass but now when I’m a software developer and I know how much effort you have to put in the application you are building I feel it as an obligation to pay the owner for what he have build.
I think yes, malware and viruses would be our biggest challenge we would have to face up with in the future. In the times when war is so expensive and requires lots of people to be involved in the actions, internet is the perfect place to make the battles and wars. I think some virtual wars are happening right now but we are not seeing them.
There is a really wide recommendations list which helps us feel more secure when using the Internet. Some of the most basic recommendations are keeping our systems and browsers up-to-date, using anti-virus software and properly setting firewall as well as in most cases - not using the default configuration on our hardware like printer or router.
The viruses are and always will be the threat, but I don't think that in general we would perceive it as something critical. There could be some new attacks and malware which could cause some major losses, but that would only apply to some range of the viruses.
Anyway i agree that unless you are some kind of company representor, you have no need to reinforce your protection.
When I used Windows - all the time. But when I switch to linux based system the problem was gone.
What do you do to protect yourself from internet threats ?
I try to not use windows and other unsecured applications.
Do you think a malware and viruses will be one of major threat of future ?
Probably yes, because there are no simple solution for that.
I think that I am following standard security rules nowadays, e.g: I use antivirus and firewall systems, I don’t expose any sensitive information to security threats, I change my passwords frequently etc.
It is obvious that cyberwar and cyberterrorism next to nuclear warfare are the biggest global threats nowadays. Because of the fact that cyber attacks require much less resources compared to traditional military strike and thus they are available for almost everyone with required skill set and minimum resources. In my opinion this is the key factor for considering cyber attacks as powerful weapon and major threat of future.
2. Currently, I’m using the free version of Avast and it completely satisfies me, as I not experiencing any problems with viruses and malwares for years.
3. I believe that this process of inventing new viruses and malwares and diling with them, by providing some antivirus software will newer stoped as it a huge multimillion business.
Yes, several times. Last time about 7 years ago. Unfortunately, I do not remember it well and now I try to be careful what I do. What I download from the web. I try to clean the computer every week. I am using an anti-virus and I do not enter suspicious websites.
As I mentioned above. I am using an anti-virus, I try not to enter suspicious websites. I am often cleaning the computer.
I think that for people who care about safety, not. However, I think that large companies are susceptible to such attacks and in the future many companies can lose everything if they do not take care of security.
I am using anty-malware software and I am conscious user of internet.
Yes, malware viruses are very smart and in many cases hard to remove.
Make them a "phrase" with special characters instead of just one word.
Use adblock and noscript in your browser so websites don't automatically run things when you get there or if you get there by accident))
It caused multimillion losses in many companies. That's why it is very important to teach employees basic security in the Internet.
I don't think the malware is a real threat to the world. We should be more afraid of AI.
As I mentioned, I'm always using the latest antivirus update program, also scan my laptop with programs dedicated to the internet threats like "Spybot: Search and Destroy". AdBlock is also a huge help - I don't have to think about "little" threats and "tempting buttons". In my opinion AI is bigger threat rather than malware.
To protect myself I try to avoid any suspicious things that I am seeing on the internet. Sometimes I install extra software that take care of my computer health.
I think that malware and viruses are not that threat as they were about 10 years ago. I think that nowadays we should be aware of things that we consciously agree with on the internet like sharing our data, not the things that are happening without our permission.
I’m not entering suspicious websites, I always read some info before downloading stuff etc. I’m not using any antiviruses/antimalware stuff.
Yes, I mean - they are a big problem right now and hackers are improving them all the time, so yes - that could be a big problem.
I'm using the same antivirus for 8 years and I've never been exposed to any malware ( I won't post name here because I would be falmed by proffesional security guys). There're some basic rules to avoid threats from the internet. The basic one is DO NOT open everything (especially big buttons with "DOWNLOAD NOW" badge). I don't think that malware would be major threat in the furture because as long as new viruses are being developed the same goes with protection so i think it is ballanced and it will be.