Part-2: Hurt me
plenty…
Congratulations
on being connected; now we can explore ways of getting hurt by internet,
Ignorance was bliss only till you were not connected.
Can you lend me
your credit card, I think my computer is sick and have some fever, yeah signs
are there. What do you mean by what signs?
My computer runs
too slow, my files has disappeared, there is constantly Good Samaritan named
PCDOC telling me that PC is infected with virus, He constantly tries to clean
it but I think I have to give some money first, I will give it but you see, I
do not have a credit card. Can you lend me yours?
The problem here
is quite common one with new users of internet, the problem is ignorance,
mostly a system that is not protected by some kind of Anti-Virus /
Anti-Malware, and the user becomes susceptible to this kind of cyber-attack.
There is some advertisement like click here to get IPhone on 90% discount.
Things like that, the above example a pop-up opens that scans your computer
saying 75 infected file found click here to clean now then it asks you to enter
your credit card details. The problems with relative new users who are not
computer experts are susceptible to these kinds of harms.
Rules of safe
browsing- do not click on these kinds of Ponzi schemes; they are generally
virus, Trojans or malwares/adware.
Always use an
Antivirus even the free types will give you some protection. Do not submit your
private confidential information on unsecure link to dubious links you are not
sure about origins to. If something pop-up or message ask you to install
something on your computer, Unless and until you have specifically requested
the install, clicking no or cancel is best option. If you are not sure, then
not installing will be the safer option.
What are these
things you are talking about?
VIRUS – are
malicious piece of code, that can disrupt normal working of your computer, Like
you are unable to use a program because exe was corrupted by it, file of the
folder hidden or deleted or corrupted these are VIRUS like activities.
TROJANS – they are
software or utilities that has a dual purpose, one is masquerading like a
useful stuff and hidden purpose of malicious use that might be stealing your
private confidential data like passwords through keylogging. Hijacking your
computer for use in cybercrimes like Denial of service and hacking.
WORM – Write once
read many is another kind of Code that copies itself several times, example a
worm copying itself in every folder you access and every time you access it,
these may have some other malicious content or just nuisances. They may use up
your computer memory making your computer run slow.
An Anti-Virus
will protect you from most of these, also keep your firewall on if anti-virus
has not installed a firewall of itself, also don’t override anti-virus if it is
trying to tell you something. Anti-virus sometimes gives false positive so try
to research first before overriding your nagging anti-virus program.
Hey can you tell
me how can I send money to Nigeria? There is some opportunity to make some
serious money and earn good karma by helping some poor guy who is requesting my
help.
If you receive
mails like this and believe them that you will become a victim of Cyber-Frauds.
You may receive Spam mails from sender from foreign places and inland places
too, about some sad story where you can help by sending some money and in
return you will get gold or jewels and what not. They are all fraud do not fall
victim to these kinds of mails. If you are using your Email account properly,
enable spam mails and report such mails to service provider so that they will
be blocked.
Can you tell me
who to complaint to, I have not received my IPhone, I ordered at dirt cheap
prices online. I am really looking forward to it.
If you have
discovered joys of online shopping then also remember, a lot of stuff is bought
and sold on trust. If you received a mail telling click this link to buy
something for dirt cheap prices. Check whether it is from a reputed site. Do
not ever follow the links in the mail. You may be confused by the URL and end
up being victim of phishing attack.
Phishing Attack –
If you know a site to be genuine and follow a link from email you may end up on
a fake site which only looks similar and was only interested in stealing your
credentials, so always go to site by typing the base URL itself.
I bought some
stuff from such and such sites haven’t got it till now, any response from
customer support too. That’s why you should never buy stuff online. Unless and
until you can see the person and stuff, how can you be sure of the item?
Buying Online is
relatively safe nowadays some pointer should be followed.
1) Don’t buy from
unknown sites; try cash on delivery if available from new sites. Otherwise
avoid them, even if deal is too tempting.
2) Do your
research before buying the stuff, site review includes that see what other
people have to say about their experience.
3) To avoid
getting gray stuff, ask for valid Tax paid receipts for warranty purpose.
4) Check returns
policy of the purchase, some sites gives you store balance instead of refunding
your money.
Got declined for
job, I applied, I wonder why? They just screened me out no reason given, I
don’t know, I have sufficient qualifications for the job. Man I tell you they
all are sellouts.
In this day of
social media revolution, company’s HR checks your online profiles at social
networking sites. You now have to be careful what you decide to share on your
Facebook, Google plus pages. Clean up your official accounts of things an
employer may find objectionable. The internet technology has become quite
advanced now. Lying to someone while sharing your location on Android phone
will get you caught. Example, making excuse that you are sick while sharing
your location that you are on a beach or mall, will get you caught. Saying you
were sleep, when WhatsApp messenger announces your last seen time. These are
numerous more way to get caught while making excuses.
Here we discussed
just a few ways Internet can hurt you, in part 3 of the blog let see some Cyber
Issues spilling over in real world.
