Prevention

Cybercrimes Watch states that 25% of cyber crime remains unsolved (CCW, 2013). As hi-tech as the world is today, removing all electronics from one’s home is like removing them off the face of the earth. Americans especially, are so pruned and glued to the use of technology that safety becomes the last step in purchasing merchandise online and when inserting their card into the ATM machine. So how does one protect their information? How does one protect their family? According to B4USurf, one can start by making their passwords more difficult. Hackers are people too, crossing all ages, they know about the “first name-birthday”. Trying more upper case with lower case passwords could put users at a lower risk. Firewalls protect computers from intruders. They are “walls” that block the outsiders from getting into the owner’s computer. When the internet is not in use, disconnect it. When the internet is connected, the computer is at risk, especially when it’s owner is not monitoring it. Shared files become more vulnerable and accessible to hackers when the internet connection is able. Do NOT open spam mail or emails that have an unfamiliar sender. In May of 2005, “ILOVEYOU”, or the “Love Letter”, attacked over millions of personal computers through an email system. Created in the Philippines’, “ILOVEYOU” traveled to Hong Kong, then to Europe, and finally the US (Kane, 2009). When using anti-virus software, keep it up-to-date (B4USurf, 2010). Recent software makes an effective protector. The many ways that one can protect their computer can go a long way. By protect the computer you protect your children from pedophiles, your bank information, your house, and your life.