ayla
Member
I belong to a weekly "area-wide" pc users group here in Houston. Today, they had someone talking about security (not the first time).
What I heard was that most hacking is now done by organized crime, not your anti-social teenager working out of his garage. This info wasn't that new to me.
But what WAS new was the info that said that cybercrime has now bypassed illegal drug trafficking as the most profitable business for organized crime.
The speaker also said that "cheap and free" PC security products are not good. That is the first thing the hackers learn about and exploit. He said that the reputable large companies do not use "cheap and free" and that we should follow their lead. I'm not sure I agree with him but thought it was interesting.
He also recommended NOT buying any virus protection or firewall protection from Microsoft. You can use it but he said that no reputable company who is seriously concerned about security uses it. He said that Microsoft made the decision long ago for security not to be a top priority. (Hope we don't get into too much Microsoft bashing but I worked as an Electrical engineer in a very technical federal agency before retirement and that was pretty much the conclusion there as well.)
Just wanted to post info in case there was still anyone out there who was being lackadaisical about their home computer security. You are exposing computers of others as well if you leave your backyard gate open to criminals.
Apparently, there are companies now called "internet management" that for a monthly fee will guaranty you security for your home pc including providing you Identity theft insurance. Monthly price is in the neighborhood of 20-30 dollars (and can include two computers). I'm sure google will turn up lots of info on this option.
What I heard was that most hacking is now done by organized crime, not your anti-social teenager working out of his garage. This info wasn't that new to me.
But what WAS new was the info that said that cybercrime has now bypassed illegal drug trafficking as the most profitable business for organized crime.
The speaker also said that "cheap and free" PC security products are not good. That is the first thing the hackers learn about and exploit. He said that the reputable large companies do not use "cheap and free" and that we should follow their lead. I'm not sure I agree with him but thought it was interesting.
He also recommended NOT buying any virus protection or firewall protection from Microsoft. You can use it but he said that no reputable company who is seriously concerned about security uses it. He said that Microsoft made the decision long ago for security not to be a top priority. (Hope we don't get into too much Microsoft bashing but I worked as an Electrical engineer in a very technical federal agency before retirement and that was pretty much the conclusion there as well.)
Just wanted to post info in case there was still anyone out there who was being lackadaisical about their home computer security. You are exposing computers of others as well if you leave your backyard gate open to criminals.
Apparently, there are companies now called "internet management" that for a monthly fee will guaranty you security for your home pc including providing you Identity theft insurance. Monthly price is in the neighborhood of 20-30 dollars (and can include two computers). I'm sure google will turn up lots of info on this option.
