A world of virtual opportunities

The growth of the Internet has sparked a debate about the impact of online communication on social relationships. The Internet frees us from geographical ties and binds us into thematic communities that are not tied to any particular place. The Internet is the tool we use to interact with each other, and therefore poses new challenges to privacy and security.

Information technology has caused fundamental changes throughout society, moving it from the industrial age to the networked age. In the world, global information networks are vital infrastructure - but how has this changed human relationships? The Internet has changed business, education, government, healthcare, and even the ways in which we interact with our loved ones - it has become one of the key drivers of social evolution.

Of particular importance are the changes in social communication. While analog tools still have their place in some sectors, new technologies are gaining ground every day, changing our communication practices and opportunities - especially among young people. The Internet has abolished all communication barriers. On the web, conventional constraints of space and time disappear and communication opportunities are staggeringly wide. The impact of social media applications has sparked a discussion about the "new communication democracy."

Today's Internet development is mainly shaped by instant mobile communication. Mobile Internet is the new revolution. Comprehensive Internet connectivity via smartphones and tablets leads to an increasingly mobile reality: we are not tied to any particular device, and everything is in the cloud.

People no longer spend hours staring at a computer screen after work or class; instead, they use their mobile devices to stay online anywhere and at all times.

Modern Threats

There is no doubt that you need to be vigilant online. As the World Wide Web has evolved over the years, many online adversaries have exploited vulnerabilities to attack computers and recover sensitive data from individuals. Half the time we don't even realize it's happening until it's too late.

The fact that most of our email accounts contain a "Spam" or "Junk" folder suggests that spam emails are a huge problem, as over 50% of emails are sent to these folders. Aside from being annoying, spam messages are not an immediate threat. However, many of them may contain malware. A similar threat, adware, is a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements when a user surfs the Internet. The ads often redirect searches to advertising sites and collect marketing data about the user.

One of the most commonly discussed Internet threats is viruses. Viruses usually attach themselves secretly to downloaded files as they aim to spread at an alarming rate. Viruses are often attached to files for download, made available on CDs, DVDs, and USB drives, or loaded onto computers by opening infected e-mail attachments. Another form of malware is spyware. Spyware is an all-encompassing web-based program that is usually bundled with downloadable pop-ups. Once installed on a computer, spyware can monitor keystrokes, read and delete files, format the hard drive, and access applications. Whoever controls the spyware has access to your personal information without your knowledge.

Hacking or cracking

Any attempt to invade a computer or network without authorization is called hacking. It involves changing system functions or security features in pursuit of a goal that differs from the system's intended purpose. It can also refer to non-malicious activities, usually involving unusual or improvised changes to hardware or processes.

A person who engages in hacking activities is known as a hacker, and some companies employ hackers as part of their support staff. These types of hackers use their skills to find vulnerabilities in a company's security system to prevent identity theft and other computer crimes against the company. While hacking is the process of breaking into computer systems without authorization to gain access to them, for good or bad purposes, cracking is the same practice, albeit with criminal intent. However, cracking is generally less harmful than hacking.

A cracker is someone who breaks into networks; bypasses passwords or licenses in computer programs; or otherwise intentionally compromises the security of a computer. Crackers also operate by gaining access to people's accounts in malicious ways and misusing that information on networks. They can steal credit card information, they can destroy important files, they can expose key data and information or personal information and sell it for personal gain.

The primary difference is that a hacker uses their extensive knowledge of computer logic and code, while a cracker looks for back doors in programs and exploits them.

The Internet - how do you defend against it?

Increasing the security of your devices, online identity and activities really doesn't take much effort. In fact, a few tips on what you can do to be safer online comes down to little more than common sense.

Many excellent apps and settings help protect your devices and identity, but they are only valuable if you know how to use them properly. To get maximum protective power from these tools, you need to understand their functions and settings. For example, a smartphone almost certainly includes an option to find it if lost, and it may even be enabled. But have we actively tried it so we know how to use it if necessary? Most antivirus tools have the power to repel potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), troublesome apps that aren't exactly malware but don't do anything beneficial. But not all of them enable PUA detection by default. Similarly, your security suite may contain components that won't be active until you enable them. When installing a new security product, it's a good idea to go through all the Home window pages and settings.

One of the easiest ways hackers steal information is to download a batch of username and password combinations from one source and try the same combinations elsewhere. For example, suppose hackers have obtained a username and password by breaking into an email provider. They might try to log into banking sites or major online stores using the same username and password combination. The best way to prevent one data breach from becoming a domino effect is to use a strong, unique password for every online account you have.

It is also a good practice to only use sites that have a positive reputation, such as Webinar Universe for online training platforms, Binance as a cryptocurrency exchange, Signal as an instant messaging service, etc. This way we ensure maximum security.