| Since the advent and wide-spread acceptance of | | | | attack your computer; these are discussed in more |
| "always on" broadband internet connections, online | | | | detail below. |
| criminals are finding it easier than ever to gain access | | | | Externally |
| to sensitive and personal information. | | | | This involves the attacker "probing" your computer, in |
| In 2007, 61% of Britain was connected to the | | | | the hopes of exposing any weaknesses in which |
| internet, that's around 15m homes. For the majority | | | | they can gain access to your information. |
| of those with broadband connections, their computer | | | | Typical methods include; subnet scanning, port |
| becomes connected to the internet as soon as it is | | | | scanning, packet sniffing, e-mail eaves dropping, DOS |
| turned on. | | | | attacks and "Phishing". |
| This has essentially made us very vulnerable to online | | | | Internally |
| hackers and fraudsters. Such people use a wide | | | | This method often involves users' unknowingly |
| range of motives, methods and techniques to obtain | | | | downloading malicious programs, sometimes referred |
| our personal information (namely bank details, and | | | | to as "malware" to their computer systems. Malware |
| other "secure" information) | | | | often appears harmless software, and is usually |
| It's important to note that the purpose of this article | | | | transferred via email or downloaded from what |
| is not to make you fearful of the internet, but | | | | appear legitimate sites. |
| educate you on the methods that hackers use, so | | | | Typical methods and malicious applications include; |
| you can be more aware on how to protect your | | | | Trojan's, viruses, rouge diallers, key loggers, spyware |
| information. | | | | and "pharming" sites. |
| Put simply, there are two ways in which hackers can | | | | |