Security Software

Anyone can be a victim of a security breach. Here is a list of software that will help keep your devices out of the hands of virtual crooks. Please note that this is a representative list, and not a comprehensive one. 

Network Security

Your home internet connection is an example of a secure wireless network. Protected with a password, secure wireless networks are best to use when accessing and sharing sensitive information like banking, your SIN (social insurance number) and any other information you'd like to keep protected.

If you have ever accessed a Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop, a mall, at school, or at an airport, you most likely connected to an open wireless network. Open networks are typically unsecured and you can connect to them without a password. While this is convenient and saves your data, public Wi-Fi networks pose a number of security risks, so try to not access any sensitive information when connected to one. 

One way to ensure privacy and security of your data when browsing on a public Wi-Fi network, is to use a VPN, or a virtual private network. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel through which you can access information online away from "prying eyes". This protects your privacy and helps with device security. 

Secure Passwords

Passwords are your first line of defense against external intruders. Complex passwords that are 8 characters or longer and include a combination of letters, numbers and symbols are a great first step to keeping your information secure. Two-factor authentication, where, for example, a code is sent to you as a text message to use in your login, is a step up in the security game. 

Biometrics like iris scanning, facial recognition, and fingerprinting are yet another way of securing your devices, but they have their own security issues - Opens in a new window.

Encrypted Information

Encryption scrambles data so that it is unreadable to those without a public key, which unlocks or decrypts the data. Encryption makes information secure as the message is sent in code and appears to those without the public key as random series of letters and numbers.

The Internet of Things

Fitness and health trackers, smart TVs, smart thermostats, connected baby monitors, networked security cameras and cars are just a few examples of physical objects connected to the Internet that comprise the Internet of Things (IoT).

Every device connected to a network is open to security threats. Have you heard of hackers taking control of a car - Opens in a new window, or speaking to a baby through an unsecured baby monitor - Opens in a new window? While connected devices can make our lives much easier, if left unsecured they can become a problem.

What is Spam?

Spam messages, emails and texts, are sent to people in order to advertise new products or trick individuals into sharing sensitive information through a process called phishing (more about phishing in the next tab). 

In Canada, Anti-Spam Legislation - Opens in a new window protects individuals by outlining clear digital communication processes for businesses. 

What is Phishing?

Phishing is an attempt to steal sensitive information, including passwords, user names, credit card info, through the use of email and any other personal messaging system (e.g. text message, WhatsApp message, etc.). 

Here's an example: You receive what looks like a trustworthy message asking you to login to your personal account, for example, your banking account.  The link in the message goes to a fake website, created to look real. The process of logging in to this fake website collects your sensitive information, providing hackers with your complete banking login information. This information can be used to login to your account and steal your assets. 

What is Malware?

Malware is short for malicious software. Malware is typically installed on a user's device with the purpose of stealing of personal information. Types of malware include adware (or forced advertising), spyware (collects and steals personal information from unsuspecting users), or ransomware (money extortion).

Watch the video and access the individual tabs to learn more about the various types of malware.

What is Hacking?

Computer hacking is a form of "creative problem solving" that takes advantage of computer and network vulnerabilities. 

Why do hackers hack?

1. Intellectual curiosity - to see how things work
2. Personal protection - to patch their own networks
3. Enjoyment - to have fun with unsuspecting users
4. Activism - to support a social cause
5. Financial gain - to make money by identifying software glitches
6. Criminal activity - to cheat people out of sensitive information and for financial gain 

What are Denial of Service Attacks?

Most websites have an infrastructure in place that can accommodate a large number of access requests per day, think millions. Denial of Service (DoS) attack takes place when cybercriminals overwhelm a website with too many simultaneous requests, billions or trillions of requests at a time, which causes the website to crash.

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is when the attack comes from large number of computers at once. This causes network overload, the website stops responding and appears to be down. 

DoS and DDoS attacks are made possible through the use of botnets. Botnets are networks of remotely controlled (hijacked) devices injected with malware and controlled by cybercriminals. Botnets are also called zombies, or zombie bots. Read more about botnets in this post - Opens in a new window.