Network Security

             In today’s rapidly advancing technological age, it’s important that we understand the value of our personal data and how to protect it from online entities. Some online practices that scammers employ are social engineering and phishing, to name a few. The main goal of these practices is to obtain valuable information from individuals. This is done with the exploitation of human emotions and gaining unauthorized access to their computer systems and networks. A large portion of the population is from a generation when technology was less prevalent than it is today. Knowing so, it is important that we take the time to explain to those around us about the dangers of online phishing and how to prevent our vital information from being stolen.

            One of the most prominent types of computer hacking we face is HTTPS phishing. It is so successful because it involves legitimate-looking URLs that hide malicious links. One example of this is clicking on a link for a “trusted platform”, such as SharePoint or Google Drive, which could be a phishing page for hackers to obtain your personal information. According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, Quarter two of 2025 reported 1,130.393 phishing attacks, which are up 13% from the previous quarter (Cassidy, 2025). The main reason these phishing tactics work so well is the social engineering aspect. The computer is only the tool being used; the real vulnerability lies in the psychological angle of these attacks.

            Once social engineering baits a victim into allowing access to their computer system, the damage may vary. Malware/Ransomware will steal your personal data and encrypt certain files on your system, so you can’t access them. Pharming tactics redirect your computer from legitimate websites to malicious ones, leading to malware installation and data theft. Viruses will corrupt your system files and disrupt operations by inserting malicious code into legitimate programs. Some side effects of installing these hacks on your system include unusual pop-ups, system slowdowns or crashes, and an inability to access security websites. To avoid damage to our computer systems, we must ensure proper security measures are set in place to combat malicious files from entering.

            It may seem overwhelming at first, but after a little research, you will find that there are many ways of protecting our computers from dangerous malware. Some safety precautions include installing antivirus software on your computer. This will ensure that any malware or viruses are detected and removed before you attempt to install it (Federal Trade Commission, 2025). Another way to protect your computer is to keep your operating system and software updated regularly. Simply enable automatic updates for your OS and all applications through Windows Update settings. Lastly, don’t open any email links or attachments unless you know they're safe first. Some phishing emails include malware disguised as urgent warnings or package tracking.

            With so many uncertainties surrounding our personal data, it can be difficult to navigate online sources without feeling anxious. Malware and computer viruses are constantly created and updated by individuals who seek to exploit our emotions. Even now, so many individuals don’t understand how important it is to protect their online data. It is vital that our generation continues to educate those less technologically savvy than us to protect them from online scams.

 

References

(2025). Retrieved from Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/media/79889

Cassidy, P. (2025). Retrieved from https://docs.apwg.org/reports/apwg_trends_report_q1_2025.pdf