When the Super Highway became commercialized, its use was intended for the free and legitimate exchange of information and instantaneous communication. It was a fairly innocent medium, awkward to some, but still innocent and safe. However, nowadays, staying safe online has become a never-ending battle – for children as well as adults. Because cybercriminals are becoming smarter and more sophisticated in their operations, they are real threats to our personal security and our privacy. Our money, our computer, our family, and our business are all at risk.

For example, researchers have found that most web browsers handle pop-up windows in a manner that makes them vulnerable to a simple phishing technique that allows fake content to look genuine. Even fully patched, standard versions of globally used browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Konqueror, and Safari—used by trusted sites such as banks—allow malicious sites to insert their own content into any pop-up window, as long as the target name of the window is known.

Over the past year, experts warned of new attacks that not only circumvent DomainKeys but, adding insult to injury, even exploit the fledgling e-mail signing technology for their nefarious ends.

As eWEEK’s Dennis Fisher reported, the technology once regarded by many in the security community as one of the best hopes for preventing e-mail address forgery is now being used to make bogus messages appear legitimate, thus undercutting confidence in the system. “It proves that people will get to the point where they can’t trust e-mail from anywhere,” one security expert, who requested anonymity, told Mr. Fisher.

But things seemed darker yet before a ring of cybercriminals was recently broken up by Russian authorities. These cybercriminals used keylogging software that they had planted in email messages and had hidden in websites to draw over $1.1 million from personal bank accounts in France.

Their goal was to infect the inner workings of computers in much the same way that mischief-making virus writers do. The twist here is that the keylogging programs exploit security flaws and monitor the path that carries data from the keyboard to other parts of the computer. This is a more invasive approach than phishing, which relies on deception rather than infection, tricking people into giving their information to a fake website.

The keylogging programs are often hidden inside ordinary software downloads, email attachments, or files shared over peer-to-peer networks. Because they can be embedded in webpages, they take advantage of browser features that allow programs to run automatically.

The hidden keylogging programs infect the computers of unsuspecting users. This puts the keylogging programs in the category of malicious programs known as Trojan horses, or just Trojans. These Trojans are very selective because they monitor the web access the victims make, and start recording information only when the user enters the sites of interest to the fraudster.

The growing threat of spyware. Beyond the phishing epidemic, spyware was on track to replace mass-mailing worms as the biggest security threat in the coming year. This technology, which uses covert techniques to install itself on computers and track user activity, is dangerous because malicious code can be executed on infected systems.

As eWEEK.com’s Ryan Naraine reported, spyware, also known as adware, has become the preferred way to deliver malicious Trojans, which can relay information to other computers or Web locations, thus putting user passwords, log-in details, credit card numbers and other personal information at risk.

Notwithstanding financial chief security officers’ complaints, the Feds spent a good deal of the past year studying cyber-crime, pondering and passing legislation to thwart it, and even handing down the first-ever felony conviction of a spammer. The spammer, Jeremy Jaynes, received a sentence of nine years in prison when a jury in AOL’s home county convicted him and his sister.

What Lies Ahead: In the coming years, internet users will not only have to be more vigilant, but will also have to demand more from vendors vis-à-vis secure products, as well as will have to go through legislative wording with a fine-toothed comb.

To protect ourselves, our approach to internet use will have to change to stay ahead of the cybercriminals. But we cannot do it alone, as exemplified by Mr. Greg Garcia, the Assistant Secretary for cyber-security and telecommunications at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, when he said that he and his team are already hard at work creating policies that aim to better protect critical infrastructure.

Although the United States government is better suited than ever to defend the nation’s computing and communications networks, federal watchdogs will need private industry to lend a hand to keep attackers at bay, according to the first-ever federal cyber-security czar.

The cyber-security chief went on to say that his initial priorities revolve around work to breed cooperation between federal agencies to develop common security policies for defending networks and to help the private sector strengthen national preparedness and incident-response plans. Garcia said his most important role will be to serve as a focal point in the U.S. government to drive national security policies across both the public and private sectors.

On a personal level, there is more that we as individuals will have to do in order to keep the internet and the personal computers in their homes and businesses safe. We need to change our thinking and actions when it comes to computer security, especially when going online. But we cannot do it alone; we need an internet security team of experts making sure that we, our family, and your computers at home and place of business remain safe and secure.

The best protection we can have in today’s rapidly changing world of cyber-attacks is to have expert support for all our internet security needs that will provide technical support without any hassles and without charging you extra fees. It will become even more critical than it is today as time goes on. We will need to find our own personal team of experts to rely on. If we ever have a security problem, we will want to have a trusted expert we can call for professional help, without any hassles and extra costs!

Because cybercriminals are becoming smarter and more sophisticated in their operations, they are real threats to your personal security and privacy. Our money, your computer, your family, and your business are all at risk.

These cybercriminals leave you with three choices:

1. Do nothing and hope their attacks, risks, and threats don’t occur on your computer.

2. Do research and get training to protect yourself, your family, and your business.

3. Get professional help to lockdown your system from all their attacks, risks, and threats.

Remember: When you say “No!” to hackers and spyware, everyone wins! When you don’t, we all lose!

© MMVII, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, The Internet Safety Advocate and Educator

If your organisation has a lot of mobile business lines, everyone using one has to fully appreciate the importance of mobile phone security, and of protecting company information which is stored on business mobiles. Bear in mind that this information is actually far more valuable to your business than the phones themselves, so focus on protecting it rather than the devices. Makes sure all data stored on company mobiles is encrypted.

Also make sure your employees understand the importance of keeping security software up to date on their mobile phones, just as they would on a computer. This protects company devices from the latest kinds of malware and viruses which can threaten a business’s critical data.

As well as encryption and security updates, it is also essential to enforce password management for everyone using mobile business lines.  The use of strong passwords will help protect the data stored in the phone if a device is lost or hacked.

Remember that a phone’s Bluetooth is the default setting, so it will have to be switched off or coupled with the device and configured with the headset. Otherwise, the device will look for other Bluetooth-enabled phones to connect to, and could mean malware is uploaded. Following these tips will help to control the threat of cybercrime, while minimising the chances of losing vital customer information.

5G Telecommunications provides organisations with a complete range of services for the business user, at competitive rates and with 12 years of industry experience. Make your staff accessible with our range of business mobiles, with benefits ranging from unlimited calls and texts to monthly roll-over minutes. See our website for more details about this, and all our other telephone systems –sign up for a business package today and get a free Blackberry.

Once upon a time there was a time when our children could roam the streets freely playing merrily with their prams and tricycles while under no threat from evil doers. Alas, a different type of environment filled with pedophiles and murderers has changed all that. Parents are now enforcing protection campaigns not only on the street for the kids but in the home too. Children don’t have a childhood any more, living their life looking over their shoulder has them turn to the internet for comfort where danger lurks from one click of a mouse.

A recent news bulletin said our Government has given full backing to a report recommending video games be forced to carry cinema-style age classifications. This will be seen as a positive action from our government; however parliament gets no medals for this decision because it is a decision of necessity

At present only video games showing sex or deadly violence needs an age rating from the British Board of Film Classification and less than 2% carry an 18 certificate? A lawful-binding system would guarantee that every video game is rated in the same way as movies – which are classed U (universal), PG (parental guidance), 12, 15 or 18 – with the age regulation printed out clearly for parents who are not computer-literate. Kids today can outsmart the best of the best with their computer skills and can easily dupe mom and dad so be careful.

The government consulted with psychologist Tanya Byron and gave the thumbs up for her to look into this issue. It was Tanya who suggested that parents should be given computer lessons and guidance to help them avoid being outwitted by their off springs that have grown up with latest technology. She said an education promotion to alert parents and teachers of the risks of games and the web in general is vital. If this suggestion were made compulsory then children may well be safe from internet perverts and games of mind destruction. It does not end here, she also said a new code of practice aimed at regulating social networking sites, such as Bebo and Facebook, should be developed which would include introducing principals on privacy and harmful content. Additionally, there should be new laws banning web-assisted suicide and rightly so.

Sadly, even though concerned parents know of the risks involved they do not want to deprive the kids of their computer pleasures and fail to take action (Not all parents). One point that Dr Byron brings to light in her statement is that “The digital world risks are comparable to real world risks but can be improved by the anonymity and ubiquity that the online space brings.” Keeping children safe must be the top priority and responsibility of us all – so it is important for this decision by our government to be sanctioned asp. The internet is here to stay so we have to accept this and deal with it.

This important issue remains a priority for Government and the United Kingdom Council on Child Internet Safety, established by and reporting to the Prime Minister will lead on a national strategy for improving child internet safety.” There are a vast variety of options for parents to choose from to keep their child safe while surfing the net.

1 It is in your child’s best interest to have the computer local in the house and not in the bedroom.

2 Point out to the little ones on what is appropriate and what is not.

3 If by accident your child stumbles across an inappropriate website and comes to you with a question, then it is important to praise them for coming to you.

4 If there are times and there will be, that you can not be present while your child studies or plays games then you have the option of initiating parental control over the sites you approve of.

5 In your absence you can alter the computer settings so that you are in control of site surfing.

A simple configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer will allow this, however not a good option if you have older children doing research for school or college.

Kids love chat rooms, however if left unsupervised in a gossip forum then it can create problems.

Chat rooms are generally anonymous which is quite scary. If your child is adamant on joining a chat room then give them some advice on how to keep safe.

6 Your child should use a nickname and never reveal his or her real name.

7 Not under any circumstances should they reveal where they live

8 Never tell anyone what school they go to or where they work.

9 Do not give out your home or their mobile phone number.

10 Never agree to meet someone without a parent or friend present

Now to give the government a kick up the back side to get the ball rolling so our children can enjoy the internet for the reason it was created, i.e. safe socializing, fun and entertainment and most importantly to learn.