Dangerous Stuff
Published on 21 Jun 2005 · Filed in Rant · 177 words (estimated 1 minutes to read)The Internet grows more dangerous every day. Why? Well, have a look at this recent eWeek article and this slightly older eWeek article and you’ll see what I mean.
Spyware acting like root kits? Viruses taking on root kit features and able to hide their processes? This is scary stuff. When one of these malicious programs exploits a vulnerability in your web browser, you could get infected and not even know it. And if that application starts using I/O blocking to hide its processes and NTFS data streams to hide files inside other (legitimate) files, you’re really in trouble.
I know that Mac OS X may only be more secure than Microsoft Windows because not as many people use it, but the end result is the same. If you use Windows, at least protect yourself—don’t use Internet Explorer (use Firefox), stay up to date on patches (visit Windows Update regularly), use an anti-virus application (and keep it updated as well), and use a good anti-spyware program (there are several, take your pick). You’ll be glad you did.