Virus…!!! It’s scary…!!! Online security issues always become the major concern of most of the computer users in protecting their data from losses. For me, I experienced once. My computer was attacked by virus one day before my assignment due date. Have you ever experienced it before???

Online security threat is any danger software that can damage the computer system. It is obviously one of the biggest challenges on internet in today IT world. There are several potential threats to online security that can create possible attacks on personal computer. These threats are listed as below:


(1) Computer Viruses:

• A small computer program that copies itself & spreads it from one computer to another computer without the knowledge of the computer owner.
  


• Such viruses can be infected easily through E-mail attachment, USB drive, CD, & floppy disks.
  
  
  
  

(2) Torjan Horses:

• A program that contains hidden function that carry security risk
  


• Designed to allow hacker remote assessing to a target computer system

• Deletion of files and keystroke logging can be caused by Trojan Horses
  

(3) Denial of Service (DOS):

• Attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users
  
  
• DOS criminal will normally target sites or services hosted on high-profile web servers such as banks and credit card payment gateways
  
  
  
  
  

• Acquired users’ personal & financial information such as credit card details through acting as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication



• Collect information through fake websites



• Most likely carried out by instant messaging or Email

(5) Worm:

• A self-replicating computer program that sends copies of itself to other codes until it interrupts the operation of a computer network.



• The transfer of computer worm can be done without any interventions of the computer users

~Effects of online security threats:

• Confidential information might be loss or damaged
• Computer & network can be harmed
• Theft of intellectual property will be increased
• More people will involve in cyber crime
• Copyright material such as music and videos will be illegally used

~ Looming Online Security in 2008:

Research shows that famous social networks such as Facebook & MySpace are most common targets for hackers to obtain users’ sensitive information. Hackers will turn their attention into these social network websites as majority of the internet users like to display their personal information on these websites.

~ Conclusion:

From our point of view, we think that online security threats not only can destroy users’ data, but it also able to harm the users’ computer. As a result, safeguards such as backup procedures & firewall should be developed & updated in order to strengthen the defenses against the threats.

~ Video:

Crazy Virus Can Harm Our Computer!!!

~ Related Website Links:

• Major Online Security Threats
• What Are The Main Online Security Threats?
• Looming Online Security Threats in 2008