The Weakest Link In Your Online Security, Part 1

It can be scary to be online these days. We are afraid to swipe a credit or debit card out of fear it might be compromised. We are concerned that our passwords or photos might be stolen and shown to the world. We hear of companies losing all their data to hackers, and we hear that one company shipped its computers with malware already installed on it. There are many threats to our online security: hackers from Russia and China, poor security practices by companies we frequent, and card skimmers installed on an ATM or gas pump are just a few of the threats we face. Plus, those methods do not even begin to mention the low-tech methods that have been around for years, such as a waiter jotting down your credit card number while he processes the payment for your dinner.

However, the biggest threat to our online security does not come from other people, other companies, or even other nations. This threat has unlimited and complete access to every piece of data on each device you own. It can be on your network at all times of the day or night. It knows all your secret passwords, security questions, and PIN numbers. The biggest threat to your online security is you!

Most security issues on your computer or network will occur with at least some permission by someone in your family. You will choose to install the game or program that secretly comes with a keylogger that steals your personal information. You will click on the link in an email to “update your information” and hand over your online banking password to criminals. You will fail to completely secure your computer or router and leave a way for someone to access your network. You will choose to visit the website that contains instructions that will harm your computer. While you may not give explicit instructions for an attacker to steal your information or access your computer, your actions are often the driving force behind someone’s access to your personal information.

I have come close to falling for some of these tricks, myself. If someone can almost fall for one of these tricks at the same time he is writing a book on how to stay safe online, I know that others will be even more likely to fall for many of these scams. I am not trying to criticize anyone who has ever fallen for an online scam; instead, I want to make you aware of your role in these types of attacks.