So, today I’m going to pick on one of my family members a bit.
You see, a few weeks ago while they were sitting at the computer, they received a phone call from Microsoft. Microsoft called to kindly inform them that their copy of Windows was out of date, and if they could just download a special file and run it…
I think you see where I’m going with this.
Said family member was extremely embarrassed, and understandably so. They complied with a complete stranger over the phone, and based on nothing more than that person saying they were someone important. Was that a stupid thing to do? Absolutely. Is this behavior common? Unfortunately, quite.
We have a strong tendency to comply with authority, real or imagined. If someone says something with enough confidence, we often find ourselves unconsciously going along with whatever it is they ask of us. When it comes to computers, that can lead to all sorts of nastiness.
The Human Element
My family called because they were suspicious, but what if they simply went about their day? That file they installed was a virus, and the person who sent it could have stolen all of their passwords in seconds, including the passwords for their banks.
Computer viruses can spread like wild-fire, even without the help of social engineering. For example(s), this infographic from Norton takes a look at the five worst viruses in history – all of which appeared in theearly 2000s – and how quickly they were able to infect systems all over the world.
Computer viruses like the ones from this infographic couldn’t spread without help from, you guessed it, you! Viruses are becoming more and more sophisticated, but there’s almost always a computer element… a file you need to click, a strange looking web address in your email, etc.
So if you’re trying to avoid getting screwed over by a nasty virus, then my best advice is not simply to install an anti-virus program and hope for the best, but to start paying more attention to your online experience. Not even a good password will protect you. No, before you do something blindly, think about it! Should I really click this link from a wealthy African prince? Should I really do what this complete stranger says on the phone?
Question… everything.
(Photos by Ted Rheingold and James Offer)
