Six hacker methods that can hurt business
By Ashley Curtis
19/05/2011
A security expert has outlined some tips and tricks of the trade that hackers use and exploit to gain access to networks and valuable information.
John Brandon, writing for Computer World, suggested that negligent IT managers and employees can expose vital information to hackers through accidentally clicking on harmful links or downloading malicious software.
He then outlined six ways hackers can hurt business - text-message malware, hacking into smart grids, social network account spoofing, cyberstalking, hackers controlling a car and GPS jamming.
Brandon elaborated in PC World, claiming: "You might develop a friendship on LinkedIn and then get an email from that person that looks like it was sent via LinkedIn but is actually a fake."
"When you click the link to reply to the message, you're taken to a fake LinkedIn site: logging int here reveals your LinkedIn username and password to the spoofer."
Strong IT system management software could go some way to help negate the threat of malware, trojans and other harmful programs. In addition, setting aside a few hours in the business day to teach employees about digital security could help protect valuable information.
With this software available, Rodney Joffe, senior technologist at mobile messaging service Neustar, claimed there is "no defence against being stupid" or employee error.
"The problem with communication by Facebook or LinkedIn is that you are stuck in a Web interface - you can't check the IP address or header information. Everything is in a nice friendly world," he added.
