Damage your data
The traditional threats on the internet used to be viruses, and the computer hacker trying to gain access to your computer. The virus and the hacker tool, the Trojan horse, were programs designed to do harm: to damage data on your computer or gain access to it. They gave rise to the term malware (malicious software), and to the anti-virus program, which removes viruses and Trojan horses, and to the firewall, which secures your computer against intrusion by hackers.
Today there are new threats. The computer hacker is still at work, although today possibly working for organised crime, trying to steal credit card numbers and internet banking passwords or to use your computer to send out thousands of spam emails. And there is a new threat which comes from the dishonest and aggressive tactics of companies determined put secret software on your computer, learn your browsing habits and beam advertisements to you, or direct your browser to their site, whether you choose to come or not.
These new threats have given rise to the term spyware and to anti-spyware programs, developed to fight the invasion of your privacy by secret software lurking in the background of your computer.
A recent report has found that 80% of computers contained spyware and 19% contained viruses. 15% had no anti-virus protection and 75% had no firewall.
Security study reveals frightening results PC Flank
A false sense of security pcmag.com
Some excellent reports into internet security from the archives of Click Online from the BBC:
For information about the latest internet threats:Virus Alert! (3/5/01) bbcworld.com
I-Spy (16/8/01) bbcworld.com
Click Vaccination (18/9/03) bbcworld.com
Walls of Fire (25/9/03) bbcworld.com
ID Theft (4/9/03) bbcworld.com
Zombie PC's (26/8/04) bbcworld.com
Click Worms (19/2/04) bbcworld.com
Jacques' Hack Attack (7/4/05) bbcworld.com
c|net news.com
Security The Register
Security eWeek
News>Internet ZD Net UK
IT Security vnunet.com
Security Watch PC Magazine
Analysis/News viruslist.com