Safely Accessing Websites | Communication Data
Safely Accessing Websites
While accessing any website we should always be aware it’s safe and it does not contain any harmful content
in like virus and other malicious things always try to access websites which has https:// in it rather
http:// here “s” means secure. Let’s see some of the possible threats which you might get while accessing
websites.
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is software that generates revenue for its developer by
automatically generating online advertisements in the user interface of the software or on a screen
presented to the user during the installation process. The software may generate two types of revenue:
one is for the display of the advertisement and another on a "pay-per-click" basis, if the user clicks
on the advertisement. The software may implement advertisements in a variety of ways, including a static
box display, a banner display, full screen, a video, pop-up ad or in some other form.
Some software developers offer their software free of charge, and rely on revenue from advertising to recoup their expenses and generate income. Some also offer a version of the software at a fee without advertising.
The software's functions may be designed to analyse the user's location and which Internet sites the user visits and to present advertising pertinent to the types of goods or services featured there. The term is sometimes used to refer to software that displays unwanted advertisements known as malware.
Some software developers offer their software free of charge, and rely on revenue from advertising to recoup their expenses and generate income. Some also offer a version of the software at a fee without advertising.
The software's functions may be designed to analyse the user's location and which Internet sites the user visits and to present advertising pertinent to the types of goods or services featured there. The term is sometimes used to refer to software that displays unwanted advertisements known as malware.
Malware
Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Malware
includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware. These malicious programs can perform a
variety of functions, including stealing, encrypting or deleting sensitive data, altering or
hijacking core computing functions and monitoring users' computer activity without their permission.
Programs officially supplied by companies can be considered malware if they secretly act against the
interests of the computer user. For example, company ABC sold the rootkit, which contained a Trojan
horse embedded into CDs that silently installed and concealed itself on purchasers' computers with
the intention of preventing illicit copying. It also reported on users' listening habits, and
unintentionally created vulnerabilities that were then exploited by unrelated malware.
One strategy for protecting against malware is to prevent the malware software from gaining access to the target computer. For this reason, antivirus software, firewalls and other strategies are used to help protect against the introduction of malware, in addition to checking for the presence of malware and malicious activity and recovering from attacks.
One strategy for protecting against malware is to prevent the malware software from gaining access to the target computer. For this reason, antivirus software, firewalls and other strategies are used to help protect against the introduction of malware, in addition to checking for the presence of malware and malicious activity and recovering from attacks.
Virus
A computer virus is a type of malicious code or program written to alter the way a computer
operates and that is designed to spread from one computer to another. A virus operates by
inserting or attaching itself to a legitimate program or document that supports macros in order
to execute its code. In the process a virus has the potential to cause unexpected or damaging
effects, such as harming the system software by corrupting or destroying data. Once a virus has
successfully attached to a program, file, or document, the virus will lie dormant until
circumstances cause the computer or device to execute its code. In order for a virus to infect
your computer, you have to run the infected program, which in turn causes the virus code to be
executed. This means that a virus can remain dormant on your computer, without showing major
sings or symptoms. However, once the virus infects your computer, the virus can infect other
computers on the same network. Stealing passwords or data, logging keystrokes, corrupting files,
spamming your email contacts, and even taking over your machine are just some of the devastating
and irritating things a virus can do.
Trojans
In computing, a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless, but is, in fact, malicious.
Unexpected changes to computer settings and unusual activity, even when the computer should
be idle, are strong indications that a Trojan is residing on a computer.
A Trojan horse may also be referred to as a Trojan horse virus, but that is technically incorrect. Unlike a computer virus, a Trojan horse is not able to replicate itself, nor can it propagate without an end user's assistance. This is why attackers must use social engineering tactics to trick the end user into executing the Trojan. Typically, the malware programming is hidden in an innocent-looking email attachment or free download. When the user clicks on the email attachment or downloads the free program, the malware that is hidden inside is transferred to the user's computing device. Once inside, the malicious code can execute whatever task the attacker designed it to carry out.
Because the user is often unaware that a Trojan horse has been installed, the computing device's security depends upon antimalware software that can recognize malicious code, isolate it and remove it. To avoid being infected by Trojan malware, users should keep their antivirus software up to date and never click on links from untrusted sources or download files from unknown senders.
A Trojan horse may also be referred to as a Trojan horse virus, but that is technically incorrect. Unlike a computer virus, a Trojan horse is not able to replicate itself, nor can it propagate without an end user's assistance. This is why attackers must use social engineering tactics to trick the end user into executing the Trojan. Typically, the malware programming is hidden in an innocent-looking email attachment or free download. When the user clicks on the email attachment or downloads the free program, the malware that is hidden inside is transferred to the user's computing device. Once inside, the malicious code can execute whatever task the attacker designed it to carry out.
Because the user is often unaware that a Trojan horse has been installed, the computing device's security depends upon antimalware software that can recognize malicious code, isolate it and remove it. To avoid being infected by Trojan malware, users should keep their antivirus software up to date and never click on links from untrusted sources or download files from unknown senders.
Safely Communicating Data
One should always stay safe while making online payments or transferring the data. Let’s see possible measures
you can take to keep yourself secure.
Secure connections
A secure connection is a connection that is encrypted by one or more security protocols to ensure the security
of data flowing between two or more nodes. When a connection is not encrypted, it can be easily listened to by
anyone with the knowledge on how to do it, or even prone to threats by malicious software and rogue and
unexpected events.
Anyone who wants to get information from a non-secured connection can do so since they can easily go through, in and out of the computer’s network taking with them important data such as login, passwords and other private information.
Secure connections, as they supposed to protect the data being transferred from one computer to another, must be able to do three main things.
1. Prevent third parties from getting hold of confidential data
2. It must first validate the identification of the person who wishes to access and exchange the data
3. It must protect information from being viewed or altered by unknown parties
There are many methods to be able to establish a secure connection, but most of them involve data encryption. Data encryption is a method which hides information from other unauthorized parties. This method usually needs an appropriate program installed on both computers involved in the connection that will encrypt and decrypt the information. Among these are our basic security protocols embedded in main communication protocols like TCP/IP, HTTPS, POP3 or IMAP.
Firewalls and anti-virus software may also serve in creating secure connections in some form.
Anyone who wants to get information from a non-secured connection can do so since they can easily go through, in and out of the computer’s network taking with them important data such as login, passwords and other private information.
Secure connections, as they supposed to protect the data being transferred from one computer to another, must be able to do three main things.
1. Prevent third parties from getting hold of confidential data
2. It must first validate the identification of the person who wishes to access and exchange the data
3. It must protect information from being viewed or altered by unknown parties
There are many methods to be able to establish a secure connection, but most of them involve data encryption. Data encryption is a method which hides information from other unauthorized parties. This method usually needs an appropriate program installed on both computers involved in the connection that will encrypt and decrypt the information. Among these are our basic security protocols embedded in main communication protocols like TCP/IP, HTTPS, POP3 or IMAP.
Firewalls and anti-virus software may also serve in creating secure connections in some form.
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is as an electronic attack where digital communications are intercepted by an individual whom they
are not intended.
This is done in two main ways: Directly listening to digital or analog voice communication or the interception or sniffing of data relating to any form of communication.
Eavesdropping is the act of intercepting communications between two points.
In the digital world, eavesdropping takes the form of sniffing for data in what is called network eavesdropping. A specialized program is used to sniff and record packets of data communications from a network and then subsequently listened to or read using cryptographic tools for analysis and decryption. For example, Voice over IP (VoIP) calls made using IP-based communication can be picked up and recorded using protocol analyzers and then converted to audio files using other specialized software. Data sniffing is easily done on a local network that uses a HUB since all communications are sent to all the ports (non-recipients just drop the data) and a sniffer will simply accept all of the incoming data. This goes the same for wireless networking where data is broadcast so even non-recipients can receive the data if they have the proper tools.
Actual eavesdropping, that is the simple act of listening to other people talk without them knowing it, can be done using current technology such as hidden microphones and recorders. Hacking into devices such as IP phones is also done in order to eavesdrop on the owner of the phone by remotely activating the speaker phone function.
Devices with microphones including laptops and cell phones also can be hacked to remotely activate their microphones and discretely send data to the attacker.
This is done in two main ways: Directly listening to digital or analog voice communication or the interception or sniffing of data relating to any form of communication.
Eavesdropping is the act of intercepting communications between two points.
In the digital world, eavesdropping takes the form of sniffing for data in what is called network eavesdropping. A specialized program is used to sniff and record packets of data communications from a network and then subsequently listened to or read using cryptographic tools for analysis and decryption. For example, Voice over IP (VoIP) calls made using IP-based communication can be picked up and recorded using protocol analyzers and then converted to audio files using other specialized software. Data sniffing is easily done on a local network that uses a HUB since all communications are sent to all the ports (non-recipients just drop the data) and a sniffer will simply accept all of the incoming data. This goes the same for wireless networking where data is broadcast so even non-recipients can receive the data if they have the proper tools.
Actual eavesdropping, that is the simple act of listening to other people talk without them knowing it, can be done using current technology such as hidden microphones and recorders. Hacking into devices such as IP phones is also done in order to eavesdrop on the owner of the phone by remotely activating the speaker phone function.
Devices with microphones including laptops and cell phones also can be hacked to remotely activate their microphones and discretely send data to the attacker.
Phishing
Phishing is the act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in
an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. Phishing
email will typically direct the user to visit a website where they are asked to update personal information,
such as a password, credit card, social security, or bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization
already has. The website, however, is bogus and will capture and steal any information the user enters on the
page.
Identity verification
As services and socialising shifted online, identifying each other digitally has become increasingly important.
How can we do this securely, without impacting users’ experience? Let us explore the trends in online identity
verification, looking at the key solutions and implications for businesses and users.
Exposing more personal information about ourselves and revealing our true identities online opens up great opportunities and risks. Organisations must navigate (and mitigate) these for their users.
Consequently, a number of solutions have emerged to validate who we are online.
Exposing more personal information about ourselves and revealing our true identities online opens up great opportunities and risks. Organisations must navigate (and mitigate) these for their users.
Consequently, a number of solutions have emerged to validate who we are online.
Two-Step Verification
Creating a username and password to access specific websites is the most familiar online identity system. But,
we’ve known it’s a broken process for years.
It’s too difficult to create and manage unique, elaborate passwords for each online account we have. And even the idea that a ‘strong password’ can protect us is now a fantasy, with hackers regularly breaking into computer systems and releasing username and password data.
Worse than this, plenty of us daisy-chain accounts to our main email address; creating a single point of failure for hackers to exploit, gaining entry to countless more with ease.
The most common solution is two-factor authentication: requesting knowledge (such as an alphanumerical ‘secret’) and possession (adding a physical level) for a user to verify themselves. Cash machines were the original implementation of this idea, requiring possession of a physical card and remembering a secret PIN.
The trick is establishing a second, physical authenticator that is secure, but doesn’t inconvenience the user. For example, many companies have avoided the delay and cost of issuing unique physical tokens (such as a key fob, or card reader); instead, asking users to add a mobile contact number and enter unique codes sent via SMS.
It’s too difficult to create and manage unique, elaborate passwords for each online account we have. And even the idea that a ‘strong password’ can protect us is now a fantasy, with hackers regularly breaking into computer systems and releasing username and password data.
Worse than this, plenty of us daisy-chain accounts to our main email address; creating a single point of failure for hackers to exploit, gaining entry to countless more with ease.
The most common solution is two-factor authentication: requesting knowledge (such as an alphanumerical ‘secret’) and possession (adding a physical level) for a user to verify themselves. Cash machines were the original implementation of this idea, requiring possession of a physical card and remembering a secret PIN.
The trick is establishing a second, physical authenticator that is secure, but doesn’t inconvenience the user. For example, many companies have avoided the delay and cost of issuing unique physical tokens (such as a key fob, or card reader); instead, asking users to add a mobile contact number and enter unique codes sent via SMS.
Connect with me
To Visit Previous Blog!
Let's visit IMPACT's awesome Blog!
Comments
Post a Comment