suyash_123
Techno Freak
Hi All,
Today I again come with some more myths , But related to Internet, Antivirus, security...
I got it On TOI's today's edition.
Hope u find it useful
Top 10 internet myths
1. When my PC is infected, I will notice it one way or the other
When my PC is infected, I will notice it one way or the other
If you think your PC will immediately crash or emit distinct sounds if it comes under malware attack, you are not alone. Almost 93 per cent of the surveyed internet users believe that malware has a distinct, identifiable effect on the PC.
Over 45 per cent assume that the computer will immediately crash in the event of a malware attack. And almost 57 per cent assume at least some functions will be disrupted, or that specific software will no longer work.
However, it is very unlikely nowadays that a PC infection is made visible by crashes, limited computing power, suspicious pop-ups or other characteristics.
2. Free AV software offers same elements of security as paid for packages
If you still bank upon those free antivirus software to guard against web attacks, you are putting a lot of your personal information at risk. Almost 83 per cent respondents believe free AV software offers the same security as the paid one. However, this is not true.
In contrast to free software which provides only basic protection, a paid version includes a range of security components like HTTP filter, a firewall, an anti-spam module and behaviour-based recognition of malware.
3. Most malware is spread through e-mail
Most malware is spread through e-mail
Over the past few years, cyber criminals have moved on from email attachments to web links to lure users to malicious sites. This tactic enables the perpetrators to bypass the highly effective spam filters with their e-mail and get to unsuspecting users.
However, 54 per cent of those surveyed still believe that most malware spreads through e-mail only.
4.You can’t get infected merely by loading an infected website
You can’t get infected merely by loading an infected website
If you think loading an infected site will not affect your PC’s health, you are in for a bigger scare. Cyber criminals have been using drive-by downloads to contaminate systems with malware.
There are two types of drive-by infection: Firstly, cyber criminals try to lure victims to the infected website by publishing interesting links in social networks, or by using banner advertisements or e-mails containing the link.
The other way is a malware code which is smuggled onto a popular website that is actually trustworthy.
Alarmingly, almost 50 per cent surveyed web users believe their PC doesn’t get infected by merely opening an infected site.
5.Most malware is spread through downloads at peer2peer and torrent sites
Most malware is spread through downloads at peer2peer and torrent sites
Forty eight per cent of the survey participants believe that this is the most important route of getting malware. However, the report reveals that the majority of malware is distributed via a number of other malicious websites.
6.More likely to encounter malware at a porn site
More likely to encounter malware at a porn site
If you fear visiting a porn site will infect your system with malware, you may be right. However, it is not always obvious.
The report reveals that pornographic websites can harbour a higher risk overall if they exist for dubious reasons. However, the potential threat from serious sex sites is not so great.
7.My firewall can protect my PC from drive-by-download attacks
If you think installing a firewall on your PC gives you fool-proof security against malware attacks, here’s what you need to know.
The report reveals that it is not possible to effectively protect a PC from drive-by infections using a firewall alone. A firewall cannot always prevent the malware from running its malicious tasks and sending sensitive data to criminals.
Almost 26 per cent respondents believe a firewall alone can guard their systems.
8. I don't visit risky sites, so I am safe from drive-by-downloads
I don't visit risky sites, so I am safe from drive-by-downloads
For those who assume that not visiting any unsafe site gives them security against drive-by-downloads, are not aware of cyber criminals’ new modus operandi.
The recent hacking of trusted sites like Sony, Nintendo, FBI and Mastercard show that cyber criminals want to exploit highly trustworthy sites to cause maximum havoc.
Hackers achieve this by manipulating web banners and constantly attacking large domains. The also deploy web exploit toolkits to load malicious code
9.If you don’t open an infected file, you can’t get infected
If you don’t open an infected file, you can’t get infected
You believe that the best way to safeguard against any attack is not to open any infected file or an email attachment from an unknown sender? You are right, but it may not work in all cases.
It is possible for the malicious code to be activated automatically without clicking on the infected file.
Hence, you should always assume that infected files are dangerous for the PC user and can be executed regardless of what the user does.
10. Most malware is spread through USB sticks
Most malware is spread through USB sticks
You think USB sticks are the biggest carriers of malware? No, claims the report.
With the popularity of USB drives, the autostart functions in data media is exploited for running malware programmes when connected to the PC. The most prominent example is the Conficker worm. Hence, it is recommended that the automatic run function in the operating system is disabled.
This prevents worms from being installed when the USB stick is connected to the computer.
I know many of these u all know ... But liked to share info here
Source: Top 10 internet myths- The Times of India
Today I again come with some more myths , But related to Internet, Antivirus, security...
I got it On TOI's today's edition.
Hope u find it useful
Top 10 internet myths
1. When my PC is infected, I will notice it one way or the other
When my PC is infected, I will notice it one way or the other
If you think your PC will immediately crash or emit distinct sounds if it comes under malware attack, you are not alone. Almost 93 per cent of the surveyed internet users believe that malware has a distinct, identifiable effect on the PC.
Over 45 per cent assume that the computer will immediately crash in the event of a malware attack. And almost 57 per cent assume at least some functions will be disrupted, or that specific software will no longer work.
However, it is very unlikely nowadays that a PC infection is made visible by crashes, limited computing power, suspicious pop-ups or other characteristics.
2. Free AV software offers same elements of security as paid for packages
If you still bank upon those free antivirus software to guard against web attacks, you are putting a lot of your personal information at risk. Almost 83 per cent respondents believe free AV software offers the same security as the paid one. However, this is not true.
In contrast to free software which provides only basic protection, a paid version includes a range of security components like HTTP filter, a firewall, an anti-spam module and behaviour-based recognition of malware.
3. Most malware is spread through e-mail
Most malware is spread through e-mail
Over the past few years, cyber criminals have moved on from email attachments to web links to lure users to malicious sites. This tactic enables the perpetrators to bypass the highly effective spam filters with their e-mail and get to unsuspecting users.
However, 54 per cent of those surveyed still believe that most malware spreads through e-mail only.
4.You can’t get infected merely by loading an infected website
You can’t get infected merely by loading an infected website
If you think loading an infected site will not affect your PC’s health, you are in for a bigger scare. Cyber criminals have been using drive-by downloads to contaminate systems with malware.
There are two types of drive-by infection: Firstly, cyber criminals try to lure victims to the infected website by publishing interesting links in social networks, or by using banner advertisements or e-mails containing the link.
The other way is a malware code which is smuggled onto a popular website that is actually trustworthy.
Alarmingly, almost 50 per cent surveyed web users believe their PC doesn’t get infected by merely opening an infected site.
5.Most malware is spread through downloads at peer2peer and torrent sites
Most malware is spread through downloads at peer2peer and torrent sites
Forty eight per cent of the survey participants believe that this is the most important route of getting malware. However, the report reveals that the majority of malware is distributed via a number of other malicious websites.
6.More likely to encounter malware at a porn site
More likely to encounter malware at a porn site
If you fear visiting a porn site will infect your system with malware, you may be right. However, it is not always obvious.
The report reveals that pornographic websites can harbour a higher risk overall if they exist for dubious reasons. However, the potential threat from serious sex sites is not so great.
7.My firewall can protect my PC from drive-by-download attacks
If you think installing a firewall on your PC gives you fool-proof security against malware attacks, here’s what you need to know.
The report reveals that it is not possible to effectively protect a PC from drive-by infections using a firewall alone. A firewall cannot always prevent the malware from running its malicious tasks and sending sensitive data to criminals.
Almost 26 per cent respondents believe a firewall alone can guard their systems.
8. I don't visit risky sites, so I am safe from drive-by-downloads
I don't visit risky sites, so I am safe from drive-by-downloads
For those who assume that not visiting any unsafe site gives them security against drive-by-downloads, are not aware of cyber criminals’ new modus operandi.
The recent hacking of trusted sites like Sony, Nintendo, FBI and Mastercard show that cyber criminals want to exploit highly trustworthy sites to cause maximum havoc.
Hackers achieve this by manipulating web banners and constantly attacking large domains. The also deploy web exploit toolkits to load malicious code
9.If you don’t open an infected file, you can’t get infected
If you don’t open an infected file, you can’t get infected
You believe that the best way to safeguard against any attack is not to open any infected file or an email attachment from an unknown sender? You are right, but it may not work in all cases.
It is possible for the malicious code to be activated automatically without clicking on the infected file.
Hence, you should always assume that infected files are dangerous for the PC user and can be executed regardless of what the user does.
10. Most malware is spread through USB sticks
Most malware is spread through USB sticks
You think USB sticks are the biggest carriers of malware? No, claims the report.
With the popularity of USB drives, the autostart functions in data media is exploited for running malware programmes when connected to the PC. The most prominent example is the Conficker worm. Hence, it is recommended that the automatic run function in the operating system is disabled.
This prevents worms from being installed when the USB stick is connected to the computer.
I know many of these u all know ... But liked to share info here
Source: Top 10 internet myths- The Times of India
