Internet security. Internet Information Security

Internet security is a very important issue of our time. And it concerns everyone, from children to senior citizens. It is becoming increasingly relevant in connection with the massive arrival of users on the Internet who are almost, if not completely unprepared for the threats that await them. Therefore, this article will be devoted to such a question as security on the Internet. After all, not one user suffers, but many others combined into one global structure.

Dangers lurking on the net

In short, there are two main possibilities of how your computer may become a victim. First, you yourself, wandering through various sites or installing software from unverified sources, and sometimes from verified ones, infect your computer. Secondly, a situation is also possible where attackers deliberately, using, for example, trojan programs or viruses, make your device a source of danger.

As a result of all this, the computer, sometimes even secretly from its owner, starts to send spam, participates in DDoS attacks on various sites, and steals passwords. It also happens that the provider is forced to disconnect such a device from the global network. It turns out that if the user is not aware of what the basics of security are on the Internet, he will have a hard time.

Why do attackers need access to a user's computer

In vain, an ordinary user thinks that nobody needs his computer. It used to be that hackers often wrote viruses just for fun, but now it is almost always done with commercial gain. About 20 years ago, an attacker took pleasure in the fact that he could simply format the hard drive. Or make it so that when you turn on the computer instead of the standard desktop, some cool pictures will appear. Now they are doing everything possible so that the owner of the PC does not know as long as possible that his device is infected and secretly performs additional functions from it.

Why is all this done? In addition, as mentioned above, hackers try to access your emails, wallets, accounts in social networks, forums. It happens, for example, that you go to bed with 20,000 rubles in an electronic wallet, and in the morning you receive an SMS message that there is no more money on it. And from the mail all your contacts, and not only, receive spam emails, and even Trojans. Hackers can combine many infected computers into a single powerful network, and conduct a DDoS attack even on powerful government servers. From the simplest, but also bringing money: they will block the operation of the operating system and require money to fix the problem. And by the way, they will take the money, but the computer will be left locked. So security on the Internet should be the basis of your work in it.

How do intruders get into a computer? detailed information

In order to crack the protection of the PC, even if it is, hackers use a number of methods, and users in vain think that just by installing an antivirus, they get rid of the danger, for example, pick up a malicious program. Therefore, before looking for information on how to properly maintain security on the Internet, you need to understand where viruses and trojans come from. Now we will list the main ways of their penetration and theft methods of various information.

1. The first method is called social engineering. Thanks to various psychological tricks, tricks and gullibility of users, hackers send you a completely harmless file or letter, and you yourself launch the Trojan in it. Or at the request of the supposedly administration of the service, you give out all your passwords and appearances.
2. The second method - it offers a variety of free software, pirated discs, where a lot of viruses, trojans and the like of this muck are hidden.
3. In software, including from the most reliable proven sources, security holes constantly appear. This also applies to operating systems. Here the attackers carefully and monitor such moments, try not to miss them, but use them for their own purposes. Go to some page a hundred times the checked site and - once - your device is infected.
4. The fourth method has gained particular popularity recently. This is phishing when fake sites are created. And you, instead of the page of your bank, find yourself on a fake copy of it. We won’t talk about what could happen next, you will guess.

Initial user computer protection

Ideally, having bought a PC, the user should perform a number of operations before rushing to surf the endless expanses of the network. We will now introduce some of the very first security lessons on the Internet.

1. Despite the fact that Windows has a built-in firewall, it is recommended to install a more reliable one, since the existing one is far from the best. Choose paid or free based on their ratings.
2. The next step is to install antispyware and antivirus software. You need to immediately update it and configure it to automatically update. It should also start automatically, along with the OS. And constantly, in the background, work. And be sure to check any installed program.
   
3. As soon as updates for Internet Explorer and other browsers you use appear, immediately download them and install.
4. Disable all unused services on your device, this will reduce the chances for hackers to access it.

Further safety lessons

Now a little information on how to ensure the safety of work on the Internet. After completing the steps in the previous section, continue to remember the daily protection.

1. Delete all letters of suspicious content immediately, do not try to open files from unknown sources. Ignore all offers of easy money, do not send your passwords to anyone, do not click on suspicious links.
2. Use only complex passwords consisting of a complex set of numbers, letters, and symbols. For each case, assign your own, original.
   
3. When going online from public areas, be careful and careful. The same applies to the use of proxy servers. It is advisable not to conduct any banking and other similar operations from such places.
4. Prefer to work with payment systems through their own applications, and not through the site. It is much safer.
5. It’s not advisable to visit adult sites or similar resources. There is a high probability of catching a trojan.
6. Watch for Internet traffic, even if it is unlimited. If it has increased significantly for no particular reason, this may be a sign of virus activity. If you follow these minimum safety rules on the Internet, then avoid many problems. This, of course, is far from all. There are so many dangers that we should not forget about them for a minute.

Some More Internet Security Lessons

We will now briefly talk about some more precautions. If you received a password verification letter from your bank, do not try to send it to them. Banks never make such requests. All email programs have a spam filter. Trust him. After receiving a letter of winnings of a million rubles or an inheritance of five million dollars, delete them immediately. We recommend installing comprehensive protection. It is more reliable than an antivirus from one manufacturer, a firewall from another, and an anti-spyware program from a third.

Give preference to paid versions. Since Opera and Internet Explorer are the most common browsers, there are most viruses for them and viruses. Use alternatives: Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Do not use unlicensed software, as it may initially be installed spyware. If you make purchases in online stores, then use only proven options. The same applies to any other online service. Follow all these requirements, and then the security of the Internet will be more or less guaranteed.

Children and the Internet

In connection with the development of modern technology, an increasing number of children get the opportunity to access the Internet. And if earlier they basically played games without even going online, now everything is completely different, and you yourself know everything. Therefore, a new task appeared - to ensure the safety of children on the Internet. This is quite complicated, since the World Wide Web is initially developing completely uncontrollably.

It has a lot of information, access to which children should not have. Everything else, they need to be taught how not to "catch" viruses and trojans. Who will help them with this, if not adults. In addition, information security on the Internet is very important, since children are completely inexperienced users. They can easily fall for the bait of an experienced fraudster or attacker.

How to teach children to use the Internet correctly

The very first advice is that the child should spend the first sessions on the network with an adult. It is advisable to use programs such as Parental Control to monitor all the activities of children on the Internet.

It is necessary to limit the independent use of mail and chats, because it can even be dangerous. Since there, for example, pedophiles can look for victims. We will give some recommendations on how you can try to ensure the maximum safety of children on the Internet.

Recommendations

1. Make the children share with you all their failures and successes in mastering the Internet.
2. Teach your child to talk about everything that bothers him.
3. Tell us how to maintain confidentiality, help choose registration data that does not disclose real, because information security on the Internet is the key to avoiding many troubles.
   
4. Explain that in virtual space you don’t need to tell anyone your last name, home address, school number, etc.
5. Teach that there is no difference between actions in real life and on the Internet.
6. Advise not to meet friends from the network, as expectations can be deceived, do not believe everything that they are told / written.
7. Be sure to install special software and control your children.

Tips for parents of children 14-16 years old

When your child is 14-16 years old, it is unlikely that you will be able to understand more about computers, the Internet and all such things. Although, of course, one should not forget about control and influence on it. Moreover, you need to remember about such a problem as ensuring security on the Internet. After all, if the computer is shared, or all devices are connected to a single home network, then the threats will be common. In addition, you can always view reports on the activities of the child. It is recommended not to conflict with the child about this, but to try to communicate and find a common language. Despite objections, try to force them to accept the rules for using the Internet, tell me which sites you can’t visit.

A PC with network access must be installed in a common room. This will hold back your child a little. Install software that blocks unwanted sites, do not allow without the consent of you to install any programs. And do not forget to ensure that children do not become addicted to the Internet. We hope that our tips will help protect your computers from threats.