Here are some ways that your PC can be
attacked.
PHISHING
Phishers send an email claiming to be from
a reputable site, perhaps saying you’ve
won an iPad, but then direct you to a fake
site, which looks genuine. However it
exists only to steal your personal details
and often the only difference is the URL.
To stay safe, check the site by doing a
Google search, check the URL or make a
phone call.
SMISHING
The phone equivalent of “phishing” with
scammers sending dodgy text messages.
Emails are still at risk on a mobile device
too, as it is almost impossible to
distinguish real sites from fakes on such a
small screen. Take the same steps as
above.
MALWARE
Malware (viruses, worms, trojan horses,
backdoors, adware and spyware) is
unwanted software put on a user’s device
without consent. It has the ability to
severely damage a computer as well as
allowing external users unauthorised
access, including access to a victim’s bank
account. Luckily the easiest way to protect
yourself is a good virus scanner which is
updated regularly.
DDOS ATTACK
A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or
distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS
attack)won’t necessarily ruin your
computer, however it means you could be
taking part in activities of a far larger
nature. A big attack – such as the assault
on the FBI’s website by hacking group
Anonymous – can involve thousands of
“enslaved” computers being used in a
concentrated attack to overload a site or
ISP. About one in five home computers
and one in 10 work computers have been
taken over by such malware and are being
used by “bot herders” to conduct these
sorts of activities. Update your virus
protection and programs to stay safe.
attacked.
PHISHING
Phishers send an email claiming to be from
a reputable site, perhaps saying you’ve
won an iPad, but then direct you to a fake
site, which looks genuine. However it
exists only to steal your personal details
and often the only difference is the URL.
To stay safe, check the site by doing a
Google search, check the URL or make a
phone call.
SMISHING
The phone equivalent of “phishing” with
scammers sending dodgy text messages.
Emails are still at risk on a mobile device
too, as it is almost impossible to
distinguish real sites from fakes on such a
small screen. Take the same steps as
above.
MALWARE
Malware (viruses, worms, trojan horses,
backdoors, adware and spyware) is
unwanted software put on a user’s device
without consent. It has the ability to
severely damage a computer as well as
allowing external users unauthorised
access, including access to a victim’s bank
account. Luckily the easiest way to protect
yourself is a good virus scanner which is
updated regularly.
DDOS ATTACK
A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or
distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS
attack)won’t necessarily ruin your
computer, however it means you could be
taking part in activities of a far larger
nature. A big attack – such as the assault
on the FBI’s website by hacking group
Anonymous – can involve thousands of
“enslaved” computers being used in a
concentrated attack to overload a site or
ISP. About one in five home computers
and one in 10 work computers have been
taken over by such malware and are being
used by “bot herders” to conduct these
sorts of activities. Update your virus
protection and programs to stay safe.
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