Hack Me Not!

For years, hacking and hackers have been glamorized in the movies. While the hacking shown in these movies bears little resemblance to real life, the everyday dangers of hacking, viruses, trojans and numerous other methods for stealing data are very real. While nobody is going to walk into a coffee shop, log into a public computer and hack the world -- the person sitting in the corner, on their laptop could be stealing the data from everyone logged into that wireless network.

Hacking is a 'game' between good guys and bad guys. For every hack, there is an anti-hack. For every piece of bad software, there is a good piece of software to prevent the hack. The time between a new hack being discovered or created and the time it takes to close the flaw and get everyone to use the fix is critical. New viruses and Trojans come out every day -- and every day, the software companies work to close these loops.

Hackers are looking for a way to get into computers of other people. Whether by using the latest piece of hacking software or by deceiving an unsuspecting user, they look for a back door into your data. You might think, "I don't have anything on my computer that's worth it". Even if you don't store personal information on your computer, your computer itself has value to a hacker by giving them a place to drop illegal content and store it -- without your knowledge. Using your computer as their proxy server lets them use stolen credit cards to buy things using your IP address!

Because this is a game of give and take as previously discussed, there is no magic bullet to prevent hackers and there never will be. No matter how much money or resources you spend in designing the perfect system, someone will find the way to crack it. Hackers have cracked government agencies, big banks and major retailers. If they want in, they will find a way.

Fortunately, most people are not the target of such intense scrutiny. Keeping abreast of the latest patches for your computer and buying and implementing the latest security software will keep you safe from all but the most determined attackers.

What can you do to keep yourself safe from everyday dangers lurking in email, on web sites?

Your Network:
One of the greatest dangers is surfing at the local coffee shop, hotel or airport. These wireless networks are insecure and anyone on them has access to everyone else's data. It is essential to use a Personal VPN when using any kind of public Wi-Fi network. The Personal VPN encrypts all your data making it invisible to the local network. Your VPN privacy is assured and you can rest easy knowing that no hacker is getting to your data as you sip your latte.

Your OS:
Make sure your operating system is constantly updated. The software manufacturers continuously put out patches to fix holes and faults in their systems. These patches will prevent you from being attacked by a newly-discovered means. Most operating systems and software today have an 'auto update' feature. Turning it on is the simplest thing you can do to improve your security.

Firewalls:
Your computer needs to be firewalled to prevent hackers from entering it via your internet connection. At the very least, you should implement the firewall that ships with your operating system. This will be adequate for most people. Several companies have firewall products that are very strong and secure.

Antivirus and Anti-Spyware:
Both email and web pages are used as ways to deliver malicious software to your computer. Having high quality antivirus and anti- spyware on your computer is essential. These programs are free or inexpensive and worth their weight in gold.

* More information on free proxy service.