ONLINE SECURITY
Hackers
People who get access to your computer without your permission to steal your information
Spyware
A computer program installed without permission which collects information about a user and sends it back to another source
Information may include websites you have visited
Cookies
A cookie is a file that is installed on your computer by a website.
Cookies can be used legitimately, for example in customising home pages of a website to a particular user
Some cookies are used for overt data collection and this data may be sold to other companies, if they do this they must seek the permission of the user first.
Setting up an online account
When creating online accounts you are asked to complete online forms
Hackers
People who get access to your computer without your permission to steal your information
Spyware
A computer program installed without permission which collects information about a user and sends it back to another source
Information may include websites you have visited
Cookies
A cookie is a file that is installed on your computer by a website.
Cookies can be used legitimately, for example in customising home pages of a website to a particular user
Some cookies are used for overt data collection and this data may be sold to other companies, if they do this they must seek the permission of the user first.
Setting up an online account
When creating online accounts you are asked to complete online forms
Required fields: Usually indicated by an asterisk *. Form will identify an error code if they are not completed.
Combo boxes: Make it quicker and easier for a user to enter data. Also a form of validation ensuring only valid data is entered by limiting the number of choices.
Verification: Online forms often ask for important information such as passwords to be entered twice, this is to confirm the correct data has been entered as the two passwords will be checked to make sure that they match.
Secret answers: Security questions often used to confirm the identity of a user if, for example, they forget a password
Captcha tests: Used to prevent automated software from filling in a form.
Remember my password: The autocomplete feature allows a password to be remembered by a website.
Advantages of remember my password are:
It is convenient – you don’t have to remember lots of passwords.
It is quick – you only have to enter your username and then the computer automatically fills in your password.
Disadvantages of remember my password are:
If you don’t lock your computer when you go away from it, someone could access your emails, for example, because they would only need to know your email address – the computer would fill in the password.
The passwords are not stored securely so anyone could find them on your computer.
People could find out these passwords by installing spyware on your computer.
Credit Card Validation (CCV Code)
The number found on the signature strip on the reverse of a credit or debit card. Makes the use of a card more secure as it cannot be read by a card reader.
Verified by Visa
Verified by Visa reproduces the process of entering your PIN or signing a receipt when you pay for something in a shop. When you make an online purchase, Verified by Visa provides you with a digital receipt that you sign off with a personal password. This offers you extra protection against unauthorised use when you shop online at participating retailers
Secure websites
Https:// : Displayed at the start of the URL
Padlock: Displayed at the end of the address bar indicating that the website has been investigated and has been given a certificate to say it is secure and uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption
SSL: built into a web browser. SSL allows confidential data to safely pass from your web browser to a distant server via the Internet. The confidential data is 'encrypted' or scrambled so that only the server can read it.
Verified by Visa reproduces the process of entering your PIN or signing a receipt when you pay for something in a shop. When you make an online purchase, Verified by Visa provides you with a digital receipt that you sign off with a personal password. This offers you extra protection against unauthorised use when you shop online at participating retailers
Secure websites
Https:// : Displayed at the start of the URL
Padlock: Displayed at the end of the address bar indicating that the website has been investigated and has been given a certificate to say it is secure and uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption
SSL: built into a web browser. SSL allows confidential data to safely pass from your web browser to a distant server via the Internet. The confidential data is 'encrypted' or scrambled so that only the server can read it.