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Security 247 - Privacy

Privacy & Security: A double-pronged threat

People use the terms "Privacy" and "Security" interchangeably these days
as if they were the same concept. They are not and each issue needs to
be looked at individually.

Security is a concept that deals with the protection of assets,
including data and confidential information when stored as either
physical materials or data. Privacy is a constitutionally guaranteed
right, a human right, that we work dilligently to protect but are
always in danger of losing.

The reason that these two terms are used interchangeably these days is
because the computer and the Internet have combined to pose a clear and
present threat to both of these issues. At no time in our history has
the ability to have your security and privacy instantly compromised ever
been so easy to achieve.

When it comes to the computer a loss of security is a loss of privacy
and the loss of privacy threatens your financial and, perhaps, physical
security.

When these issues are presented so plainly it is hard to imagine that
nearly 90% of home and small office computer users pay no attention to
either one.

It is as if we have been conditioned to think that PC attacks happen to
government agencies and big business and that we are immune because we
are just "little guys". The fact is, we are just as much targets for
those who would steal our privacy by exploiting computer security as the
big boys are. It just doesn't usually make the news when Average Jane's
bank account gets wiped out by someone who stole her PIN.

We can sit here with our heads in the sand hoping that hackers will
leave us alone if we leave them alone, or we can proactively guard our
computer security and privacy as actively as we guard our homes and
children. We can stop others from "doing unto us" by locking the
electronic doors that they use to prey on us.

If nothing else, educate yourself and be aware of the multitudes of
threats that you face every time that you log onto the computer. With
this amazing technology comes a heavy responsibility. You wouldn't walk
down a dark alley flashing a wad of cash and acting as if you were
drunk, would you? Of course not -- you'd be inviting attack. Yet, you
are willing to open your home, your personal finances, and your most
private documents to any stranger with some time to kill and a need to
get rich.

Don't be foolish. Protect yourself and your family. Do something
proactive before you're forced to do something reactive. It's just a
matter of time until the electronic muggers meet you in some Internet
alley.

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