Symantec , the well known Security software manufacturer has provided suggestions to the web users so that they do not fall into the tarp of cyber attack. It advised the users that they should not make use of e-mail ids which are used for social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter in order to perform and access banking or business transactions via the web. The details are discussed below.
In talks to provide solutions to protect from cyber attacks on social networks, the MD of Symantec, Shantanu Ghosh, said, “They (internet users) should be more cautious while on social networking sites. They should have separate e-mail id for social networking site and other e-mail id for carrying out transactions like banking.” He added saying, “We have observed that on social networking sites, people usually share their detail including personal ones with their friends as well as with those whom they do not know much and here they face the risk (of being attacked).”
Ghosh added, “Cyber attackers then can try to get into your e-mail ids through malware on these sites and try to steal vital information like credit card information.” According to him, no untrustworthy link in the e-mails or social networking site of users should be clicked as it may steal important financial information. A link featuring the stunning Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif’s video was received by web users in India and later it was found to be a malware sent to steal information of credit card.
Just within the few last years, the malware count in the web has increased to millions and hence Ghosh said told that the users should be vigilant to frame a secure password for their e-mail ids. Ghosh said, “Some users use e-mail password as wife’s birth date or anniversary day or birth year and most of these details are available on their social networking site account and it can also be misused by cyber attackers.” A lot of threats are suffered in the cities of Chandigarh, Surat and Jaipur as small entrepreneurs do not spend much on security technology while the usage of internet is growing rapidly..
Ghosh said, “Small cities, including Chandigarh, are sharing good amount of malware activity…(because) these companies are not spending much on security technology which makes them vulnerable to cyber attack.” He then added, “Augmented by broadband penetration, smaller and emerging cities of India are exploring opportunities offered by the virtual world in turn creating a new lucrative pool of targets for cyber criminals to exploit.”