Protecting your virtual assets
Posted by Acro in Business, Domains, Social issues on March 1st, 2008
Remember
that high school kid that used to break into everyone’s lockers to steal your stuff?
Guess what, he’s now an adult and he still steals - only this time, it’s your virtual assets he’s after: your domains, your emails, access to your bank and credit card accounts. This kid simply changed the size of the game but the rules remain the same: he’s still a thief and you’re still the potential victim.
Welcome to the wonderful world of intangible property theft.
As I am typing this, there is a chance that a keystroke-recording program is storing my text, beams it out to an online location to be dissected later by unscrupulous thieves. When I hit submit to my e-mail, it can be copying its contents to someone else. While I am checking my bank account balance on my laptop from the living room via wifi, some person might be getting a nice view of it while web surfing on my dollar.
There are several rules that you must observe, to avoid such trouble; each and every one of them will make such an unfortunate situation less probable. I’ve compiled a list of rules, and the list grows larger by the day; the more we rely on technology, the faster we become a target.
* Install an anti-virus, firewall and anti-scumware application. There are lots on the market, some are free and some have extensive features that make the purchase of the full version worthy. If you run a business, such an expense is a write-off as well.
* Never use a wireless connection for logging onto your bank account. If you must, enable secure connections with long keys and disable wifi at your router when not in use. Absolutely do not use an Internet cafe for that purpose.
* Passwords are there for a reason: to provide privacy and access only to you. Do not use the same password across different accounts and forums. If it gets compromised, your entire online social activity will get compromised also. Make passwords hard to guess: use upper, lower case, numbers and symbols. Always use the maximum length allowed. For authorization questions stored alongside passwords, such as “Where are you located?” never answer the obvious but always give a surreal, unrelated answer e.g. “popsicles”. Never store your unencrypted passwords on electronic media, such as your PC; write them down on paper instead.
* Communication is essential. There are several instant message programs, such as Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ etc. They offer convenience and they are quite often compromised by off the shelf tools that can scan your computer for vulnerabilities, often taking control of it. As a rule of thumb, avoid using them altogether for business; or at least, avoid talking to strangers or people you cannot trust 100%.
For are more tips and advice; Go To: http://acro.net/blog/2008/03/01/protecting-your-virtual-assets/#comments
