Malware, Scareware, Spyware, – what the hype?
Back in early 1994 I created my first HTML document in a vi editor and later viewed the page within a Mosaic browser. It was gorgeous! I feel like I sat there forever mystified and content within this particular HTML creation. I never imagined “back in the day” that the Internet would become as big or as bad as it has become today.
Why am I calling the internet “BAD?” For most web surfers the Internet has become accessible to rapid data, live music, ongoing entertainment, and instant gratification. But alas, this same Internet consistently milks the golden calf with a cornucopia of malicious exploits. Preying upon the naive and the uninformed, the Internet is THE Gemini to the dark side of botnets, malware, ransomeware, rootkits, scareware, spyware, Trojans, viruses, worms, and a host of other Evilware yet to be discovered.
From recent Malware infections at hospitals in the UK, to data breaches at Aetna Inc and T-Mobile allegations, we live in a time where personal privacy, confidentiality, and identity theft have ample opportunity to become compromised and sold to the highest bidder.
Back in 1998-1999 the internet world began to morph. The back orifice was born, Melissa virus erupted, the Zombie concept took hold, and the grand entrance of Knark knocked hard upon web doors. Then in 2000-2001 the love bug bit us, and the reign of Code Red and Nimda worms crawled.
In 2003, while working in library systems at a small liberal arts college in New England, I had first-hand experience with the SQL Slammer worm. The first week of work I captured all SQL rogue servers on campus, cleaned them up, and changed SA passwords. When I called the IT department to report the capture, they only managed to tell me how upset they were that I did not call them first! Hey! I was busy cleaning up your slammer worms people…how about a simple “thank you?”
I have always held a very strong interest in hacking and in the psychology behind it. I will admit that I have been hacked a few times during the past nine years. Never excited that someone was smart enough to break into my web server or home servers, but, every single time I indeed LEARNED a huge lesson in SECURITY!
From the end user, to the web site designer, to the hosting provider, to the ISP — we are all liable for Internet usage behaviors and security. Do I need to repeat this? We are all responsible to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to stay safe online and to extend the same right to all Netcitizens.
End users, you need to become educated on how to secure your operating system, protect your browser with add-ons and plug-ins, run regular security scans on your system, and never become complacent with your role in utilizing this powerful technology. Being afraid of your computer is no excuse for not using good virus protection, installing adequate malware protection, and utilizing URL checkers to stay safe online. BTW, Google search is your BEST friend…
Website designers you need to be sure that the source code you use cannot be exploited. You need to take responsibility for the design of your website and to be overly aware of any and all security concerns.
Tips for Cleaning & Securing Your Website
StopBadware online community is available for you to ask questions and to discuss website security maintenance with other website owners.
Please check out the link for website owners from stopbadware
Hosting providers –> it is your responsibility to keep your servers malware-free. Website designers please check hosting company policies concerning protection of equipment from malware.
ISP (Internet Service Providers) should be performing “malware filtering” - prior to the malware contaminating local networks and systems. I know that sounds harsh! Protecting end users is not considered to be censorship in my book!
By now you are probably wondering what I think about the “badware, malware, scareware, spyware” pushers right? I am thinking that criminal minds will always exist and continue to function in the lifestyle that they are accustomed to. You can bet your bottom dollar that they came from a highly dysfunctional family background. You can also bank on the concept that $$$’s mean more to them then you ever did!
I exist in the mindset that if Cyber-criminals cannot become re-educated to halt these harmful internet behaviors that they should lose all access to the internet. Whether it is monitored by chip or by satellite, Cyber-criminals need to be forced to take complete responsibility for their actions and to stop this behavior or lose all rights to this technology.
Is this censorship? No! Commonsense? Yes!
Until next time – Safe Surf!
Malware, mosaic, scareware, Security, spyware
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