If there is one thing that people do not want to put up with when they are online, it is a hacker that disrupts Internet connections and even affects the files a user has on a computer. Here is a look at how hacking the web raises security issues and how hackers can be stopped so that these security issues will not be a problem.
One of the ways that hacking the web raises security issues is that it can create dangerous software. Hackers can easily insert malware into a computer. This consists of files that can be especially damaging to the computer. The reason for these damaging capabilities is that a hacker can easily look through and edit files that are inside a website or the computer of a user on a website. Hacking the web raises security issues because it not only affects the websites involves, but it can also affect the users of the sites that have been affected.
Hackers who work on hacking the web can steal specific information that other groups may give to websites. This includes phone numbers that can be used to call people with unsolicited offers. In some cases, a hacker may have more control over the malware that is used and therefore insert this software into a mobile phone that is listed on a website database. This can cause the hacker to steal even more phone numbers.
In many cases, the hackers can send data to people on a contact list and this is then considered spam. They can send viruses and other pieces of malware that will only end up expanding the level of power that the hacker has. Some people may not know what to do with the emails that they get from a hacker because they may not know exactly whether the message is legitimate. This makes it clear that hacking the web raises security issues.
A hacker can steal the especially sensitive financial data, and this is another reason why hacking the web raises security issues. For people who are going to be sending financial information and other important pieces of data to a website the information can be especially important. A hacker for that person to use for that person’s advantage can steal the information. This includes not only credit card numbers and other information regarding these cards but also Social Security numbers.
Since hacking the web raises security issues, it is best to use a few simple tips to work with improving security. For businesses that run websites that may be prone to hackers, it is best to install a good firewall onto the server. This can be used to help monitor incoming transmissions and block any software that is going to be sent to the server without the permission of the company that owns the server.
Having the appropriate antivirus software is needed. A typical firewall program will have all of this information. This can be used for a server as long as the program will automatically update itself as new information on viruses and other dangerous things that hackers may have to gain access to a website or your computer are known. With automatic updates, it will be easier to be protected.
In addition, for people who visit these sites, a firewall can be used. General measures that the average person should be using can help too. These include visiting only websites that can be trusted and by not opening any online links from any emails that may have been sent as a result from visiting any sites.
It is very clear that hacking the web raises security issues. By taking care of these risks with a good firewall and antivirus program and by recognizing how hackers will look into affecting a system it will be easier to handle hackers and any other dangerous things that may come around.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Hoax: free Blackberry Storm Promotion
Outline
Message claims that Blackberry is giving away free phones to those who forward the email to eight or more people.
Brief Analysis
The claims in the message are untrue. Blackberry is not giving away free phones to those who forward an email. The message is a new version of an old hoax that has previously targeted Nokia, Sony Ericsson and others.
Example Subject: FW: Blackberry Storm Promotion
Dear All,
Blackberry is giving away free phones as part of their promotional drive.
All you need to do is send a copy of this email to 8 people; and you will receive your phone in less than 24 hrs. Please note that if you send to more than 20 people you will receive two phones.
Please do not forget to send a copy to: amanda.lee@blackberry.com
With Regards,
Amanda Lee (Marketing Manager)
Office Number: 0117838512
----------------------------------
Detailed Analysis
This message claims that the recipient will get a free Blackberry simply by sending the email to eight other people. And, supposedly, if the recipient sends the message to more than twenty people, he or she will be given not one but two Blackberry phones. According to the message, the giveaway is part of a Blackberry "promotional drive". The participant is instructed to send a copy of the email to a marketing manager at Blackberry at the same time that he or she forwards it to the eight or twenty friends.
However, the claims in the message are untrue. Blackberry certainly will not be handing out free products in exchange for forwarding an email. In fact, the message is yet another variant of a long running series of hoax messages that claim that recipients can get free products just for forwarding an email. Email sent to the marketing manager email address specified in the message are returned with a "recipient address rejected: user unknown" error.
Moreover, this email hoax is having a detrimental impact on the reputation of a person who happens to have the same name and occupation as that listed in the message. The real Amanda Lee who is a marketing manager in the IT industry in South Africa is concerned that her name is being circulated in a false association with this hoax message. Amanda Lee has no connection whatsoever with the hoax message and does not work for Blackberry. Her name was added to the hoax without her permission or knowledge. Thus, those who send on this absurd and ridiculous hoax message are not only helping to distribute utterly pointless nonsense, but are also inadvertently helping to damage the reputation of a real person who has done nothing wrong.
Another widely circulated version of the hoax falsely claims that Ericsson is giving free laptop computers to those who send on the message:
Many other hoaxes make the absurd claim that a recipient can get free products, services, vouchers or cash just for sending on an email. The tactic is a favourite ruse of Internet pranksters because it virtually guarantees that their ridiculous messages will not only spread far and wide, but will very often continue to circulate for months or even years after they are launched.
Of course, many companies do run promotional campaigns that offer participants the chance to gain free or heavily discounted products or services. However, no legitimate company is ever likely to run a promotion based on the random and uncontrolled forwarding of an email. Real promotions will always include or link to documents that clearly specify such things as start and end dates for the promotion, legal terms pertaining to the promotion and detailed conditions of entry. Hoaxes such as this supposed Blackberry promotion never include limiting factors such as conclusion dates or entry conditions. Therefore, a company foolish enough to lend itself to such an absurd promotional campaign might ultimately find itself obligated to hand over thousands of laptops or phones - an outcome that could potential lead to economic ruin for that company . Thus, it is laughable to suggest that any company would engage in such an ill conceived promotional tactic.
Any message that claims that you can get something - be it free products or services, vouchers, gifts, competition entries or cash - just for forwarding an email is virtually certain to be a hoax. If you receive such a message, please do not further the spread of such nonsense by passing it on to others.
Message claims that Blackberry is giving away free phones to those who forward the email to eight or more people.
Brief Analysis
The claims in the message are untrue. Blackberry is not giving away free phones to those who forward an email. The message is a new version of an old hoax that has previously targeted Nokia, Sony Ericsson and others.
Example Subject: FW: Blackberry Storm Promotion
Dear All,
Blackberry is giving away free phones as part of their promotional drive.
All you need to do is send a copy of this email to 8 people; and you will receive your phone in less than 24 hrs. Please note that if you send to more than 20 people you will receive two phones.
Please do not forget to send a copy to: amanda.lee@blackberry.com
With Regards,
Amanda Lee (Marketing Manager)
Office Number: 0117838512
----------------------------------
Detailed Analysis
This message claims that the recipient will get a free Blackberry simply by sending the email to eight other people. And, supposedly, if the recipient sends the message to more than twenty people, he or she will be given not one but two Blackberry phones. According to the message, the giveaway is part of a Blackberry "promotional drive". The participant is instructed to send a copy of the email to a marketing manager at Blackberry at the same time that he or she forwards it to the eight or twenty friends.
However, the claims in the message are untrue. Blackberry certainly will not be handing out free products in exchange for forwarding an email. In fact, the message is yet another variant of a long running series of hoax messages that claim that recipients can get free products just for forwarding an email. Email sent to the marketing manager email address specified in the message are returned with a "recipient address rejected: user unknown" error.
Moreover, this email hoax is having a detrimental impact on the reputation of a person who happens to have the same name and occupation as that listed in the message. The real Amanda Lee who is a marketing manager in the IT industry in South Africa is concerned that her name is being circulated in a false association with this hoax message. Amanda Lee has no connection whatsoever with the hoax message and does not work for Blackberry. Her name was added to the hoax without her permission or knowledge. Thus, those who send on this absurd and ridiculous hoax message are not only helping to distribute utterly pointless nonsense, but are also inadvertently helping to damage the reputation of a real person who has done nothing wrong.
Another widely circulated version of the hoax falsely claims that Ericsson is giving free laptop computers to those who send on the message:
The Ericsson Company is distributing free computer lap-tops in an attempt to match Nokia that has already done so. Ericsson hopes to increase its popularity this way. For this reason, they are giving away the new WAP Laptops. All you need to qualify is to send this mail to 8 people you know. Within 2 weeks, you will receive Ericcson T18. But if you can send it to 20 people or more, you will receive Ericsson R320.And an even earlier version claims that Nokia is giving forwarders free mobile phones:
Make sure to send a copy to: anna.swelung@ericcson.com
Nokia Is Giving Away Phones For "FREE"!!Thus it seems clear that some prankster has simply taken an older version of the hoax and repurposed it so that it targets Blackberry rather than Nokia or Sony Ericsson and tacked on a picture of a Blackberry for good measure.
Nokia is trying word-of-mouth advertising to introduce its products.And the reward you receive for advertising for them is a phone free of cost! To receive your free phone all you need to do is send this email out to 8 people (for a free Nokia 6210) or to 20 people (for a free Nokia WAP).Within 2 weeks you will receive a free phone. (They contact you via your email address).
You must send a copy to anna.swelan@nokia.com
Many other hoaxes make the absurd claim that a recipient can get free products, services, vouchers or cash just for sending on an email. The tactic is a favourite ruse of Internet pranksters because it virtually guarantees that their ridiculous messages will not only spread far and wide, but will very often continue to circulate for months or even years after they are launched.
Of course, many companies do run promotional campaigns that offer participants the chance to gain free or heavily discounted products or services. However, no legitimate company is ever likely to run a promotion based on the random and uncontrolled forwarding of an email. Real promotions will always include or link to documents that clearly specify such things as start and end dates for the promotion, legal terms pertaining to the promotion and detailed conditions of entry. Hoaxes such as this supposed Blackberry promotion never include limiting factors such as conclusion dates or entry conditions. Therefore, a company foolish enough to lend itself to such an absurd promotional campaign might ultimately find itself obligated to hand over thousands of laptops or phones - an outcome that could potential lead to economic ruin for that company . Thus, it is laughable to suggest that any company would engage in such an ill conceived promotional tactic.
Any message that claims that you can get something - be it free products or services, vouchers, gifts, competition entries or cash - just for forwarding an email is virtually certain to be a hoax. If you receive such a message, please do not further the spread of such nonsense by passing it on to others.
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