Internet Users Vulnerable to Hackers During Peak Buying Seasons
During the December and January season, novice computer users often face unwanted attacks from hackers, spammers, and internet-spies at an increased level.
Many software companies and Internet service providers maintain that the holidays are the favorite times for hacker activity.
Consumers are vulnerable even if their first online destination is to a Web site for updating security patches.
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Kris Murphy, help desk coordinator for North Carolina Internet service provider Indylink.org, said his minister got attacked last year, only a few minutes after unpacking and connecting the machine. The minister was updating Windows security patches when he was infected.
“Hackers know that you are most vulnerable as soon as you go online for the first time,” said Murphy. “Inexperienced people tend to fall into traps more readily because they don't recognize that this guy might be trying to get your credit card information.”
According to a recent survey by the National Cyber Security Alliance, of the 185 million Americans with home computers, one in three say they'll never get hit by viruses or other cyber attacks. In a Consumer Reports study, 36 percent of U.S. home computers showed signs of being infected with spyware and only 41 percent of surveyed households said they actively try to prevent it.
“American businesses are savvy about firewalls, spam filters, multiple passwords and other network protections,” said Stuart McIrvine, director of corporate security strategy at IBM. “But problems at the consumer level - from spyware to security risks in coffee shop wireless networks - are so severe that every hardware and software vendor should be worried about a backlash.”
Especially during the holiday seasons, attackers gain greater incentive because of the annual jump in online shopping. E-commerce is a staple in today’s shopping needs and identity thieves constantly try to obtain credit card and other financial information from wireless and home networks. They may even set up dummy Web sites that seem to be hosted by major corporations in hopes that gullible consumers will provide their account information.
Virus writers hide viruses and worms in holiday-themed e-mails, seasonal greetings cards and screensavers.
"People want to get on the Net right away, just like they want to put together and start using any Christmas present," said Tony Redmond, chief technology officer of Palo Alto, Calif.-based computer giant Hewlett-Packard Co., whose new PCs ship with 60 days of virus and adware protection. "They should be warned that the Net is a very, very dangerous place."
