| We have all heard the horror stories about hackers | | | | personal computers, or even our banks. And they |
| busting into computers and learning secrets, that are | | | | collect important pieces of our lives. Anyone who has |
| suppose to be secure. And we have seen the movies | | | | ever been a victim of identify thief can tell you what a |
| where terrorists hack into highly secured government | | | | nightmare it can be. Your savings could be wiped out |
| computers and take over, shutting down electric and | | | | and your hard earned credit rating destroyed. So what |
| water systems, and getting nuclear bomb codes. | | | | can be done? Our banking systems and other high |
| Although these are rare, and major if they ever did | | | | level organizations have top notch security measures |
| happen, there is still a lot of everyday hacking that is | | | | in place to help protect us and our information. They |
| happening to the general public, such as Identity thief. | | | | also have people working everyday on improving |
| This is a process where people get your personal | | | | security, and learning how to handle and avoid new |
| information, either from computer files or even on | | | | threats. On our personal computers we need to take |
| paper. And they use it for their own gain. | | | | the proper precautions. And have different types and |
| We all have information stored on computers. Even if | | | | levels of security software in place. Hopefully this will |
| you don't own one your information is still in large | | | | help prevent anything bad from happening to our |
| computer systems everywhere. Our banking systems | | | | detailed information. |
| use them, our government agencies, our schools, and | | | | When you are shopping, or doing anything on the |
| work places. In all these computer lays our very critical | | | | internet that requires you to give out details about |
| details. Such as Driver's License number, Social | | | | yourself that can fall into the hands of a thief, be |
| security numbers, bank accounts, credit cards, health | | | | careful, and make sure the site you are giving this |
| records, etc. And if you do use a computer for | | | | information to is secured and legitimate. Microsoft |
| personal use such as shopping, then you have had to | | | | windows has an alert systems in place that tells you if |
| give your information over a computer many times. | | | | you are entering an unsecured web page, it also |
| And if you make purchases over the internet often | | | | checks the security certificates of a website and if |
| you my have your information saved so you don't | | | | there is a question it will advise you not to go there. |
| have to enter it every time, and this could make it | | | | Pay attention to all the alerts when they are given, |
| easier for someone to get a hold of it for the wrong | | | | they are there to help protect you. Computers and the |
| reasons. | | | | internet have made our lives much more fulfilling and |
| Online banking is another good example of our | | | | easier. You just need be little careful and cautious. Just |
| information being accessible on a computer. These | | | | like walking to your car in the dark late at night, Just |
| hackers learn how to get our information from our | | | | pay attention. |