Surf Anonymously - The Key to Internet Safety

Surf Anonymously - The Key to Internet Safety
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brad_M_Smith]Brad M Smith

Threats to internet users' security are ever on the rise, thereby sparking many discussions about the issue. These threats can be anything from hackers, spammers, phishing scams, viruses, and even pedophiles who are hidden in the shadows of the cyber world. However, one thing they have in common is they can't wait to jump at their next victim and advance their malicious intents. This is the reason why Internet safety is important.

To be able to look into the need for guarding your Internet privacy and security, it's important to know what risks you are avoiding. These days, there are four main online agendas you'll always want to steer clear of.

Hacking, which is defined as the unauthorized access of one person to another person's computer, is a fundamental issue in Internet security. This is, in fact, a very serious issue these days, especially for banks and other institutions that keep massive amounts of confidential data in their network databases. To address this threat, a network security system must be implemented to secure sensitive files. Most common scenarios of hacking include banking password thefts or, in worst cases, identity thefts. Once the hacker has the information he needs, he will naturally be able to make transactions as though he were this person. For example, he would be able to withdraw cash from his victim's bank account because now he has stolen all the information he needs.

Another threat to Internet security is phishing which is still a form of data theft, except that emails are used to propagate the malicious cause. For example, a phisher sends his victim an email saying the latter's bank account has been tampered with and needs to be fixed only if he revealed his bank account number, password or any other sensitive information. Spamming, on the other hand, might be harmless but it still becomes a bother as it floods an email with unsolicited, unwanted emails, telemarketing calls and even snail mails.

Pornography is yet another online safety concern. There is simply too much illegal sexual content on the Internet as well as human predators who are always on the look out for their next victims. Many cases have involved pedophiles who usually trap children during chat and bully them into meeting up. And then the abuse starts. Internet pornography is also something to watch out for especially for people who upload sensitive photographs and videos over the Internet as these could easily land in pornographic sites.

On a national scale, cyber terrorism happens. This refers to online attacks against government sites by tracking their IP address. With cyber terrorism, highly sensitive government files are put at risk as hackers try to expose them and put national and international security on the line. Internet extortions are also possible among other criminal activities possible in the world wide web.

These are threats that anyone may encounter at anytime, that's why important to actively work on keeping them at bay. Educating children goes a long way in protecting them from online abuse.

Or simply hide your IP with an [http://www.ipsharkk.com]IP changing software so you can [http://www.squidoo.com/changeipaddressforanonymoussurfing]surf anonymously and escape the eye of hackers who wont' find a link to you because they'll never know your real IP address.

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