Post #6 – Network Security

Information and System Security

Everyone should always be aware of their surroundings when they move about on this Earth, as we all leave being foot prints wherever we go. You would leave out a bank statement, your social security card, or other personal information for someone else to pick up and use. Using the internet is much the same, although we are not physically moving about the internet, we are digitally traveling the web, and still leaving behind a digital fingerprint. “A person walking leaves physical footprints. Similarly, a user on the Internet leaves electronic footprints.” (Vahid & Lysecky, 2017). This electronic footprint leaves behind little bit of data, and if you are not careful, this data can be used against you. Scammers are always looking for new ways to gain access to your personal information using cloned sites, phishing e-mails, viruses, or simply stealing your passwords to get the information they want. It’s imperative to safe guard your information, and be safe while using the internet, knowing what that is out there is a threat is helpful. Knowing the possible threats, you may face is helpful in being proactive and choosing safeguards for your home computer, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
Often many people use the web with the mentality of “it will never happen to me”, seemly unaware that it has already, or is right around the corner. “Low amounts of fear diminish safety, because the threat is not seen as important enough to address. However, intense fear can also inhibit safe behavior, perhaps because people suppress their fear rather than cope with the danger.” (LaRose, Rifon & Enbody, 2008). As many people do not have the fear something will happen to them, they often do not have safe practices of internet safety like updating virus protection, malware scans, or even routinely changing their passwords. Updating passwords routinely can help prevent against stolen information, many companies require routine password changes every so many days. At my current job, it is every 120 days, I cannot use the same password with in the last ten changes. My password must contain and uppercase and lower-case letter, a number, and a distinctive character. Adding numbers, special characters and upper/lowercase letters makes for a very strong password, as most passwords are now case sensitive.
Employers urge their employees to also maintain safe internet practices often by blocking downloads onto work PCs, as well as restricting sites which contain click bait, are known for Phishing, or are in general unsafe or inappropriate for the workplace. Since most often we do not have the same strict policies at home, it should become one of our best practices to take note of what we are clicking on, and what sites we are redirected to, as there are no safeguards like in our workplace to stop out personal PC from making a connecting with a malicious site. A malicious site can come from a link on a reputable site, like a news outlet or even Facebook. Facebook is known for their “fun” quizzes that pop up in our newsfeeds like “find out what super hero you are”, “What is your inner color”, “who were you in a past life?”, all seem like innocent fun, but to take the quiz and post on your page, you must allow them specific permissions to your information, such as to post to your page on your behalf, your friends list, pictures, past posts, and if you are using your cell phone, often they might ask for permission to use your contacts, or camera and microphone. Many do not read this, and just click yes and next on each item to take the quiz, which now invites those on the other end of the connection full access to your information via Facebook. We have our own personal responsibility to read and really think about what we are clicking on, to be safe on the internet. “Among all of the factors we have discussed, personal responsibility, self-efficacy, and response efficacy were the ones most related to intentions to engage in safe online behavior.” (LaRose, Rifon & Enbody, 2008).
To engage in safe online behaviors is to be aware of your surrounding always while navigating the web. Know what pages you are visiting, when clicking on a link, read if it is asking for permission, and never type in your passwords or personal information unless you know it is a trusted site. Be careful when making online perches as well, as some hackers mirror reputable sites to get you to type your credit card or banking information, for them to then steal and use as they so please. You don’t need to be so scared that you never use the internet again, or refrain from buying online, however it is very important to maintain internet safety and know where you are digitally walking around and leaving behind footprints.


References
LaRose, R., Rifon, N. J., & Enbody, R. (2008). PROMOTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for INTERNET SAFETY. Communications Of The ACM, 51(3), 71-76. doi:10.1145/1325555.1325569
National Cyber Security Alliance. Emerging Internet Threat List, 2006; www.staysafeonline.info/basics/Internetthreatlist06.html.
Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2017). Computing technology for all. Retrieved from zybooks.zyante.com/