The State of the Net 2010 is Sobering: Why Protecting Your Lifeboat Matters More Than Ever

I just read a recent blog post by Tory Jennings of CoreTrace that mentions Symantec’s new Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR). The threat report is a must-read for any security professional, as it highlights current trends in the threat landscape based on real data taken from the world's largest security software maker.  Consider this statistic:  Symantec blocked an average of 100 potential attacks per second across its userbase in 2009, or 6,000 potential attacks per minute, 360,000 attacks per hour, or 8.6 million attacks per day.  The key takeaway from these numbers? Internet users are TRULY "under attack", and as millions more users embrace social networking sites and interact with each other online, the issue of collective security and protection against malicious threats becomes even more important for every Netcitizen.

A Symantec article titled, “Cybercrime’s Financial and Geographic Growth Shows No Slowdown during the Global Economic Crisis" shows that hackers were more active than ever last year. The multitude of cyber threats has not only increased, but become more sophisticated, more global in reach, better funded, and caused greater damage from a financial perspective.

The Threat Report, coupled with June's Consumer Reports State of the Net 2010 Report, drives home the point to consumers and security professionals alike that Internet threats and user security are key concerns requiring a radically different and collaborative approach to what is ultimately a community-wide problem.

Consider these statistics from the State of the Net 2010 Report:

 The report, available on newsstands and in summary format from the Consumer Reports website, states:

• Within the past year, 9 percent of social network users experienced some form of abuse, such as malware infections, scams, identity theft, or harassment.

• Among all computer users, established threats, such as spyware and phishing e-mail scams, persist at alarmingly high levels, and virus infections increased significantly since last year. Forty percent of online households surveyed reported that they had at least one virus infection in the past two years. 40%!

What percentage of the 40% who were infected with at least one virus infection actually had antivirus protection that didn't work effectively enough? We don't know for sure, but we do know that approximately 50% of online users have inadequate, expired, or no antivirus protection at all.

Consumer Reports estimates that cybercrime cost American consumers $4.5 billion over the past two years and prompted over 2.1 million computers to be replaced as a result of the havoc wreaked. Imagine what the global damage from those same threats must be? The report also states that these findings "provide a reminder that it's still important to use the best anti-malware software available." [hint hint -- get Immunet, it's always up-to-date and it works as extra protection beyond your existing antivirus, plus it's free].

Seriously, these are sobering statistics, and they are ones that keep the team here at Immunet up late at night (in addition to working hard on product improvements and launching the new release of Immunet Protect for June...). We truly do care about making the Internet a safer place, one Immunet user at a time, one community of friends and family at a time.  

Of the features we have developed for the new 2.0 release is a simple community tool that makes it incredibly easy for users to extend antivirus protection to their contacts. Why would you want to extend protection beyond your own PC to those of your friends, family members, coworkers, and most frequent contacts? Here's why...

At Immunet, we believe that security begins with the end user, but it certainly shouldn't end there. If you are a community of one, you can take the "every man/woman/child for herself" approach and say, "I don't care if my friends don't have antivirus, at least I have it". But as we know in the age of Web 2.0 and social networks, NO one is an island, and the Internet is about connection, sharing, collaborating. Connecting online should not include inadvertently infecting someone you just emailed or shared a URL link with because it was full of malware that your antivirus software didn't detect. Talk about a social networking faux pas.

We believe that engaging and connecting with others' online, whether it's via Facebook, email, Twitter, games, or other means, that act of connecting online comes with certain responsibilities, such as socially "safe", security-conscious behavior. What are some examples of "socially safe, security conscious" behaviors?

1.  Make sure you are protecting yourself and your PC against threats. Make sure your antivirus is up to date. If you turn your protection off, or haven't scanned in a while, make a habit to turn it back on or scan frequently at regular intervals.

2. Use strong passwords, use a different password for each site, and don't give your password out to anyone, especially via email, which is not secure. 

3. Adjust your privacy settings to "Maximum" if you can. Check privacy settings on all services you use, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, any online groups, forums, and even Web services.

4. Only share with known people. Don't accept friend requests from total strangers, even if it looks like someone you know knows them...it might be a fake identity. Don't be fooled. See the article on "Online Con Artists" for more reasons why you should be wary.

5. Only share information, content, photos and posts about yourself that you would not be embarrassed about if somehow your privacy settings suddenly stopped working temporarily (as in the Facebook case from this week, where private Facebook chats and pending friend requests were exposed due to a Facebook security flaw).

6. Do not share content, photos or information about your friends, family or coworkers that you did not get explicit permission to share -- they may be more private than you and don't want all YOUR friends knowing that they had a party this weekend that their own social contacts may not have been invited to.

7.  Finally, protect your most beloved people -- the friends, family members, and frequent contacts that you TRULY care about. I call these people your "lifeboat", or those social contacts whom you communicate with most frequently. These are people who trust you to help them out, and whom you know would help you in return. No, these are not your 5,000 Facebook "friends" including someone you went to preschool with that you don't even remember anymore.  Your lifeboat people would call you for help if they were ever a victim of identity theft, or an online scam, or had their PC hacked by a cybercriminal, because they know you care about them and can do something to help. 

PLEASE suggest that they protect themselves. In fact, don't just suggest it to them, actually HELP THEM OUT.  Recommend what YOU use, whether it be to download free antivirus software, or the install a helpful password manager tool since it's challenging to memorize strong passwords, or to sign up for identity theft protection to prevent fraud.

Explain to them why they should change their behavior, if you know it is risky, such as implementing the Top 7 Things You Should Stop Doing on Facebook as recommended by Consumer Reports.

Call them up and walk them through the steps for what to do. If you can, better yet, go to their house and help install it for them (like I did with my parents, who are technically clueless and THOUGHT they had updated antivirus on their home PCs but hadn't renewed their subscription in months. Now they do have real-time protection because I installed Immunet for them, and I see their status online so know they are safe...). 

Why does protecting your lifeboat matter a lot? Because you have influence to protect them, and they are the ones that are most likely to infect you or affect you if they are practicing socially unsecure or unsound online behavior. If their privacy settings are off, the data you've shared with them becomes less private for you (your chat with them is now exposed, your postings on their wall now made public to everyone). If their antivirus is not updated or they don't have antivirus, they are the ones most likely to infect you with malware. If their email gets hacked, then your contact information that resides in their address book is now going to get spammed by hackers. All this means damage to your friend, and collateral damage to you in some way.

Please be a friend and help your friends be safer and more secure online. It will give them greater peace of mind to know you care enough to help protect them, and you'll have greater peace of mind knowing that the people you care about the most are better protected as a result of your personal efforts.

Protect a friend with Immunet

Comments

[replica watches]

The modern replica submariner watches
comes housed in a black plastic case with stainless steel lugs at each side. The black wristband is nicely crafted from leather, and in case you plan on banging your new watch around a bit, the display is protected by a durable, scratch-resistant mineral crystal face.

[kevinroy]

Moncler Jackets
Moncler
Women Moncler Jackets
Moncler Jackets For Women
Moncler Lucie
Moncler Alpin
Moncler Angers
Moncler Lans
Moncler Mens
Moncler Coats
Moncler Vests
Moncler Boots
Moncler Bags
Moncler Branson Navy
Moncler Arcs
Moncler Maya
Moncler Auburn
Moncler Ever
Moncler Garcons Everest
Moncler Himalaya
Moncler Clairy
Moncler Quincy
Moncler Nantes
Moncler Badia
Moncler Pop Star
Moncler Shiny
Moncler Daytona
Moncler Limited Edition
Moncler Indre
Moncler Puffer
Moncler Bady
Moncler Bea
Moncler Mokacine
Moncler Chartreuse
Soccer Uniforms

[xixiwyhes]

Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Cheap Ralph Lauren Polo Cheap Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet Ralph Lauren Outlet Store Ralph Lauren Outlet Store Ralph Lauren Polos Ralph Lauren Polos Ralph Lauren Clothing Ralph Lauren Clothing Discount Ralph Lauren Women S Polo Shirts Discount Ralph Lauren Women Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Stripe Sport Shirt Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Mens Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Polo Mens Ralph Lauren Custom Ralph Lauren Black Watch Polo Ralph Lauren Black Watch Big And Tall Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts Big And Tall Ralph Lauren Colorful Polo Ralph Lauren Shirts Colorful Polo Ralph Lauren Ladies Polo Ralph Lauren Shirts Ladies Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Models Polo Ralph Lauren Models Big Pony Polo 5x Ralph Lauren Big Pony Polo True Religion True Religion True Religion Jeans True Religion Jeans Cheap True Religion Jeans Cheap True Religion Jeans Discount True Religion Jeans Discount True Religion Jeans Herve Leger Herve Leger Herve Leger Dress Herve Leger Dress Herve Leger Skirt Herve Leger Skirt Herve Leger Outlet Herve Leger Outlet Herve Leger Bandage Herve Leger Bandage Herve Leger Dresses Herve Leger Dresses