The Stuxnet worm made headlines again this week and reminds us how each individual carries responsibility for the Internet security of our homes.
The Stuxnet malware gains access to closed, secure industrial systems through the manual transfer of files using disks involving unsuspecting professionals with permission authority. At the Natanz plant in Iran, this particular malicious code was designed to activate when it encountered the computers that operate the centrifuge which it then hijacked and ran the system so fast that it broke the equipment all the while displaying normal operations to personnel.
Similarly, family members can inadvertently grant permission for malicious code to download into your network and PCs with catastrophic consequences including identity theft and exposure to sexual predators.
Below are some examples of potential malware threats and what to do about it.
- Identity theft. Banking or identity theft programs that log key strokes to capture private information actively seek permission to download, or glean data left in your browser. According to experts at Kaspersky, digital pollution, the personal data such as user and pass codes, can be gleaned from your browser after accessing on-line accounts and later used for identity theft. To prevent this from happening, always close your browser after you have completed a transaction or accessed a password protected account.
- Some anti-viral scams pop up as if they are authentic anti-viral warnings, and encourage you to “click” in order to eliminate the bug it claims to have found. Once you click on this option, the malicious code downloads into your computer and convinces you to purchase a bogus Internet security service. Always go to the trusted URL for Internet Security. Do not respond to a pop up.
- Social media links. Check the bottom left of the screen to see if the URL associated with links to videos or games looks legitimate. Clicking on unknown links via social media can download malware that allows sexual predators to gain remote access to local computer files. The images and information gleaned can be used to extort for sexual images and acts.
Parent Resources
Smart Schools Smart Money Subscriptions (raise money for school)
Kaspersky Internet Security (Free to Surewest Customers)
Computer Professional Services – Granite Bay and Roseville
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