Technology is advancing rapidly nowadays and so are internet threats that make our system and data vulnerable. Over the years, increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks have shifted the paradigm because criminals now have access to the latest technology that enables them to violate our private and confidential data. Half the time, people are not even aware of the fact that their computer systems are compromised and hackers have complete access to their network.
So, what to do about these internet threats? In this article, we will learn about the most common online threats that people should be aware of when using the internet. Nonetheless, before we begin, it is important to mention that in order to save yourself from such deadly attacks; you should use a secure internet service that protects you against online threats. For instance, Spectrum Internet comes with a complete security suite that consistently manages your defense system and keeps you safe from online criminals. With that being said, let us discuss the internet threats that you might encounter when working online.
1. Adware
Adware is malware software that projects unwanted advertisements when you are surfing the internet. Online ads are often designed to collect marketing data so that marketers can gather insights about your lifestyle, purchasing preferences, and demographics. Acquiring this data through illegitimate means i.e. without the permission of the user makes it malicious. So, never click on the banner ads that are displayed on unknown websites because they might download malicious adware on your computer, giving a free invitation to the Trojan virus.
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2. Trojan
Trojan is another malware that is usually disguised as legal software on your computer. Cybercriminals entice users to click on a link that automatically downloads Trojan on their systems. Once the virus enters your computer, hackers can gain full access to your system, which enables them to perform multiple functions including data modification, duplication, system disruption, theft, and miss use of information. The worst thing is that you will not even know if a Trojan is present on the computer or not.
3. Spam
Spam is an unwanted and unsolicited form of communication that is usually sent through an email. The fact that our email accounts come with separate Junk and Spam folders is a big indication that these emails can be harmful to your system, which is why they directly land into the aforementioned folders. However, hackers do have their ways to send spam emails to your inbox and these emails usually come with a link that contains malware. Therefore, always check the source of the email and never open unknown links from untrusted senders.
4. Worms
Worms often make their way to your computer through emails or USB. Once your computer is infected, the worm will most likely send out automated emails(with a virus) to every email address on your computer. The receiver might not be able to detect the virus until they open the email and follow the attached link in the message.
5. Phishing
Phishing is a fraudulent activity that is usually sent by hackers to steal the credit card or debit card details of a user. Phishing emails come in form of a formal message that appears to be from a well-known company. For example, the criminal might be impersonating your bank and can ask for your account details including credit card information to make unauthorized purchasesin your name. Some people have also received phishing emails where the criminals were pretending to be from Netflix and were asking users to make the payment or else their account will be blocked. Many people fell for the trap and ended up paying the wrong company.
6. Spyware
Spyware is another dangerous malware that is often attached to downloadable files on the World Wide Web. If installed on your computer, this particular virus can monitor almost all the activities that you perform on your system including reading and deleting files, accessing personal information, and reformatting the hard drive. Just like Trojan, Spyware is also hard to locate on your system and at times, people do not even know that their computers are infected with such harmful viruses.
7. Pharming
Pharming is a more complex and sophisticated version of phishing that imitates the Domain Name System of a well-known organization. For example, a pharmer may create and launch web pages that are an exact copy of your online banking website. Therefore, when you enter your credentials on the site thinking that you are logging into your usual service, the criminal on the other end will steal your details and use them to wipe away your actual account.
Final words
That is all that you need to know about internet threats that are regulating on the World Wide Web nowadays. Always use a secure internet connection to keep yourself protected at all times. Stay tuned for more updates regarding internet security.
