Internet threats for beginners

Below you will find a simple explanation of many common Internet threats.

It is important to have good security software. A virus scanner alone cannot give you the necessary protection. You need software that helps to protect your computer against all forms of computer crime. It is also important to follow the tips given to you on this website.

Adware

Adware displays advertisements to the user.

Back-up

A back-up is a reserve copy of the data on your computer. These copies are a preventative measure in case your data are lost. For example, if your files are ‘accidentally’ deleted or damaged, your hard drive crashes, or as a result of theft or fire. A back-up can be kept in a different location to the original files. Nowadays, it also very easy to make back-ups via Internet.

Computer crime or cybercrime

The term 'computer crime' encompasses forms of crime relating to computer systems or the people working with them.

Computer virus

A computer virus, or simply a virus, is a harmful computer program that spreads from computer to computer. It does this by ‘attaching itself’ to an email or program. A virus tries to infect as many computers as possible in this way.

Computer viruses can take up disk space, make computers and internet connections slower, and delete or spread information.

Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of information that send Internet pages to the computer. This is a simple way to track information about the Internet user. They mean that next time you visit a website, you don't need to log in or give a language preference. The disadvantage of cookies is that such information can also be private. Cookies are therefore controversial.

Because a cookie is in principle nothing more than a small text file, no viruses or other malware can be hidden in them.

Credit card fraud

The trade in illegal and stolen credit card details is thriving like never before. For just £2, it is easy for anyone to get hold of illegally acquired credit card details, including information such as name and expiry date.

In principle, credit card users are covered against this type of loss. So always look carefully at transactions made with your credit card. Especially if you've made purchases on sites that you don't really trust in hindsight.

Online child grooming

The efficiency of child groomers is becoming increasingly professional, partly as a result of the Internet. Child groomers can hack into the webcam of young girls' computers and spy on them through the webcam. They also often pose as someone else on chat rooms.

Firewall

A Firewall helps to protect your computer against unwanted intruders on the internet. These unwanted intruders include for example attacks from hackers, computer viruses, spyware and spam.

Free Antivirus Software (Free download virus scanner)

Free antivirus software is indeed available. The greatest problem with this is that the software almost always only detects viruses, whereas a large number of other Internet threats also exist.

Hacker

A hacker is someone who hacks into computers. Nowadays, you no longer need to be a ‘nerd’ or computer specialist. Hack software, which anyone can use for ‘hacking’, can be downloaded for free on the Internet.

Hoax

In the computer world the word 'hoax' is used in particular for a false rumour or a claim that isn't true and which is sent via e-mail. These messages usually tell you to forward the email to as many people as possible. With hoaxes, it is the computer users themselves who are doing the harm and not the software.

HTTPS

Privacy-sensitive websites such as banks are almost always secure. You can check this by looking for https:// and a closed padlock in the browser.

HTTPS ensures the secure exchange of data. The S from HTTPS stands for Secure.

When HTTPS is used the data is encrypted, making it impossible for an outsider, for example someone who wants to intercept the data, to know what data is being sent. Because the data is encrypted and then decrypted, this costs extra computer time, and is also the reason why encryption is not used as standard.

Identity fraud

Identity fraud is the use of illegally-acquired personal information to gain access to computer systems and payment / credit card accounts in someone else's name.

Keylogger

A keylogger registers keystrokes on a computer and can forward the information to another computer. A keylogger gets into your computer for example through a virus, spyware or a Trojan horse.

Mail viruses

These are the 'old-fashioned' viruses, which spread themselves as attachments via email.

Malware

Malware is a collective name for malicious and/or harmful software. The word is a combination of the words '‘malicious' and 'software’.

Network monitoring

Wireless networks are particularly vulnerable to Internet threats. Good network monitoring is essential to protect against hackers.

Parental controls

Parental controls are filter systems which allow parents to restrict what their children can and cannot do on the Internet. These can be used to block websites or programs, set time slots or automatically block applications.

Pharming

With pharming, hackers deceive Internet users by redirecting traffic with one server to another server without the user noticing this. The user is redirected to a different site to the one actually typed in. This is like deliberately connecting someone to the wrong line in a telephone call.

Phishing

Phishing is a form of Internet fraud . It consists of deceiving people by luring them to a false (bank) website. The fraudster can then gain access to banking, login or credit card details. The victim is often lured to this false website via email.

Tracking cookies

Tracking cookies are cookies that map your surfing behaviour. They allow, for example, targeted advertising (banners and pop-up windows) to be offered on participating sites.

Tracking cookies are not an Internet threat in themselves. A tracking cookie is nothing more than a standard cookie. The concept of cookies is misused more than the actual cookies. Cookies are intended to make the life of the Internet surfer easier, rather than to map the surfing behaviour of an Internet surfer.

Trojan horse

Trojans (Trojan horses) don't use the computer's weak spots, instead they take advantage the computer user's weak spots. Trojan horses disguise themselves as a harmless program, for example a screensaver, a funny film or a nice photo. Computer users access them, download the file and in doing so infect their own computer.

Often the user doesn't realise that his computer is infected. It appears as though everything is normal but in fact the computer can be remotely operated by the people who created the trojan. Trojan horses can cause a lot of harm as a result.

Rootkit

A rootkit is a set of software tools that are often used by third parties (usually hackers) to gain access to a (computer) system. The rootkit nestles deep in the operating system, making it possible to destabilise the operating system. The rootkit is almost impossible to remove without damaging the function of the operating system.

Rootkit detection

A rootkit is software that is often used by hackers. The rootkit nestles deep in the operating system (for example in Windows). The rootkit is almost impossible to remove without damaging the function of the operating system.

Spam

Spam or junk mail is a collective name for unwanted mail.

It costs very little to send spam. The spammer can cost-effectively send millions of spam emails just to sell one product. There is a lively global trade in files containing millions of email addresses.

Spyware

Spyware is the name given to computer programs that collect information about a computer user and forward this to a third party. Spyware is primarily used to make money. Users are generally not aware of a program's spyware function. Detection programs can be used to detect spyware after installation and potentially to remove it. They work in a different way to virus scanners. For example, detection programs can help to prevent the installation of unwanted programs. People should watch out for poor, false and malicious spyware detection programs. Over recent years, spyware has become one of the biggest threats to computers on which Microsoft Windows is installed.

Symantec / Norton

Symantec is a global leader in infrastructure software, giving companies and consumers greater confidence in today's Internet world. Norton is a trademark of Symantec.

URL-spoofing

URL spoofing is the imitation of the URL for example of a bank, so that the user thinks they are visiting the real site when the URL is in fact that of an impostor.

Webcam spying

Just by downloading free computer programs, anyone can easily spy on someone via a webcam. You don't need to be a computer expert or hacker to do this. This hacking usually takes place in the form of a trojan horse.

Website verification

The better security packages offer an up-to-date list of suspected fraudulent websites. Before you visit a website, the feature checks whether the website is actually secure. Only then are you allowed access, making it less likely that you will fill out your personal details on a fraudulent website.

Worm

Worms aren't actually viruses. They are programs that spread themselves. They independently seek out computers that they can infect.

Worms cause nasty effects similar to viruses. They slow down computers and the Internet connection. They can also destroy files on an infected computer. Some worms send spam from computers they have infected, or use infected computers for computer crime.