Kids have always been bullied, from unkind words to stealing lunch money and chasing other kids home. Likely you knew the bully in your school and also knew who they were bullying.

Bullying may not be so clear cut in our electronic age so defining bullying is the first step.

Some people minimize bullying by calling it different names, including teasing, giving you a hard time, pulling your chain or brushing it off as a practical joke. A bully will frequently down play their behavior and blame the victim by saying things like “you can’t take a joke” or that “you’re a party pooper” or call you a “sorehead”. It is helpful to look at bullying as toxic behavior that tries to marginalize the victim in order to control, embarrass, make the other person feel less than and diminished. Physical abuse is not necessarily involved but it can be. Bullies often think they are funny or just playing a joke but real humor is funny to everyone and is not at someone else’s expense.

Cyber-bullying is somewhat new and involves the use of online or electronic technology to control, intimidate, diminish, embarrass and make the life of another person difficult. Adults can even be bullied by students as outlined in this article: GIGAOM reports about student bullying of teachers in North Carolina. If this is happening in one state, it is likely happening elsewhere. In this article, North Carolina is taking steps to prevent students from bullying their teachers. The students are signing teachers and other school employees up for online porn sites and then posting an image of the teacher or employee online. A few students have built websites to defame, insult, post cruel and derogatory information about school officials and teachers. This type of harassing behavior has been going on for a long time, things like putting a teacher’s car on the front steps of the school, putting mice in drawers and tacks on chairs. Using technology to abuse teachers and school officials is new and it is also much more harmful and widespread with permanent ramifications. Once the information is in cyberspace it is difficult, if not impossible, to get it back. It can permanently damage a teacher or school official’s reputation.

The action that North Carolina is proposing is to pass a cyber-bullying law to make it a misdemeanor and carry up to a $1000 fine if found guilty. This effort is pitching a battle between student rights for free speech and victim’s rights. Our technology has far outstripped our ability to deal with how the technology is used.

Most of the people don’t care about their personal computer security unless they are hit by serious computer viruses or spywares. These viruses infect the stored files and folders, often damage the file system and minimize the performance of your computer. Similarly, spywares track your personal data and information and then send it to the host. To prevent yourself from the viruses and spywares, antivirus software should be installed on your pc, which takes care of your computer security. However, installing an antivirus is not enough. Following steps should be taken to make sure your pc is protected and running smoothly.

Hacking and security issues over the internet have stalked organizations and other institutes dealing with confidential information. Every day we hear of some site or platform being hacked now and then. History stands alibi to the biggest internet attacks including the infamous South Korea hack where personal information of around 35 million South Korean people was stolen from an ESTsoft Server, theft of 77 million PlayStation Network accounts or of 134 million credit card accounts. What’s aggravates this issue is the fact that there is no right way to secure a website once and for all. It requires attentive revision and improvement as every security method becomes obsolete and vulnerable with time. Having said that, it’s tedious and expensive to administer a world-accessible website still one should stay prepared to proactively respond to any internet security threat. Prevention is always better than cure. Don’t learn it the hard way! Read along the tutorial on how to secure WordPress, Joomla and Drupal platforms to raise a guard against security breaches.

Stay Updated

The best advice is to keep oneself updated. All CMS release their updates on a regular basis including the like of WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. These updates can be of minor or major nature. Many people overlook the importance of updates and fell that their system is working just fine. Remember! These updates also include amendments to vulnerabilities and weaknesses that serve as a gateway for hackers to inject malicious codes.

Avoid Free Themes

Yes! Avoid free themes for most of them are a trap to get entry into one’s site and system. Not all of them are the same but there is no full-proof way of identifying one. Stay away from nulled and ripple themes. These themes are loosely built and may lack some security features. Hence, it is wise to have a paid site with some intelligent and secure features.

Use trusted plug-ins/ add-ons

Just like in case of free themes, the same argument goes for plug-ins, add-ons and extensions. Avoid using nulled/ cracked/ suspicious plug-ins and extensions as it can expose your website to serious threats and security breaches. Try to read comments and reviews about them and use the ones with good general feedback.

Fortify your Server

This is the most potent and foremost method of warding off any security threat and secure Joomla, WordPress and Drupal platform based websites. One should harden the server against any attacks and hack attempts. Use the latest OS and keep updating all updates as soon they are released. Do not let any unnecessary port open and always avoid installing random unreliable scripts on the website.

File Permissions

Proper file permissions are vastly recommended for all CMS based websites. Most site administrators and developers leave their files writeable even when they don’t need them. Hackers specifically target these sites and update these writable files to inject malicious codes into the site. Several WordPress, Joomla and Drupal sites have been attacked with hacking code injected into every single php file of the site. Assigning authenticated and authorized access to the files is strongly recommended for any CMS powered website.

Do you belong to the thousands of individual who are using treacherously easy to guess password? If you are one of them perhaps this is the right time to fix that before everything is too late.

Among the world’s popular websites that suggests users to alter their passwords are Yahoo, LinkedIn, World of Warcraft and Twitter, in light of the current security violation at the Gawker Media family of sites.

The big issue behind it is that many individuals utilize the same passwords on very single site; approximately there are 33% of users according to the research. It simply means that if the password you used gets stolen or hacked in one place like Lifehacker websites or Gawker’s Gizmodo it can be utilize to unlock access in any other sites as well.

Unluckily, base on the study of the password that hacked in the Gawker incident show it confirms that most of the people are using poor password that are easy to guess by the hackers.

Moreover, Splashdata, a security software developer recently released its annual list of the world’s most common and worst passwords that was usually used on the internet in the year 2012. Disturbingly, only a little has changed from the year 2011, wherein passwords like “123456″ and “12345678″ are still belong on the top of the list, even though the “Password1″ is on the top three of the list for Trustwave, last year, while it’s a recent version in Splashdata’s edition.

Exactly what somebody is talking about, please take a closer look at this new report from Mark Burnett an IT security consultant. Who hailed himself as one who “loves to write about password”; Burnett has collected a huge list of top 500 most common and worst passwords, and I excerpted the top 10 from his list.

Here the top 10 worst passwords everyone must stop using:

•  password
• 123456
•  12345678
•  abc123
•  qwerty
•  monkey
•  letmein
•  dragon
•  111111
•  Baseball

It’s quite disturbing, right? Many of us opt to use risible passwords and believe me the hackers are aware about the most frequently used passwords and are swift to try them out when you are striving to break into your own accounts. Moreover, the Conficker worm an infamous malware also has lists of commonly-used worst passwords created into them.

The obvious fact is that if you decide on a password in a simple pattern or is an apparent word, letter or number, it will not only easy for you to remember but it is also be easy for the hackers and intruders to breach or attacks your personal security.

It is very clear that people must need to get out from the practice of utilizing the same password everywhere, and importantly user should also make sure that if they create a password it is not easy to crack or guess. But one thing jumps into my mind. Why that is still there are many websites that don’t test the password that user have chosen just to ensure that it is strong and safe?

For you to create a safe and strong password, you need to consider preventing using easy keyboard outlines like “123” or “qwerty”, try to mix lower-case and capital letters, and keep them assorted. As well used password that is hard-to-guess but easy to remember like book or movie characters or favorite foods would work better compared to “letmein” or “password”, also try to switch words just to improve your online accounts security.

As the internet is getting vulnerable to identity thief, personal attacks and any internet related crimes user must aware and responsible enough for the security or their personal online accounts.

Although the Internet has been around for a very long time now, online security continues to be an enigma. We do everything possible (we at least some of us do) in order to ensure that our personal and commercial web security protocols are flawless. But, are all our efforts worth it? Every day we get to read or hear about online security breaches in some massive company or user information being stolen from corporations who, we would like to think, employ the most advanced security systems to protect against hackers. Truth is that many of the systems are actually quite capable of keeping hackers at bay. It is usually a silly mistake that leaves the backdoor open. No amount of technological advancement can be a substitute for common sense. Here are 3 very common silly errors that you should be looking to avoid.

Failure to Restrict URL Access

Restricted URLs are kept restricted for a reason; unauthorized access to them can have catastrophic results. It is no surprise then that hackers repeatedly try to gain access to restricted URLs by using every trick in the book. However, sometimes, they don’t have to work too hard. A simple slip-up from the configuration end can easily leave a backdoor open for hackers to exploit. A web security application may perform checks the first time someone tries to access a restricted URL. However, if the settings aren’t correct, the application will fail to run the checks a second time around, thus making a hacker’s dreams come true. Checks for restricting URL access have to be run every single time, without fail.

Improper Configurations for Security Settings

As far as human error is concerned, nowhere is it more evident than the stage at which security settings have to be configured. In order to create a breach of web security, hackers will poke and prod at every single parameter, trying to find a loophole. Even a single misconfigured setting will let the hacker move in and set up shop in the framework. Most of the times, the problem arises because people are too cautious; they are worried about messing things up and let everything running on the default security settings. That is a huge mistake. No matter what kind of security systems you are relying on, they have to be customized and configured to meet your specific requirements and protect against specific threats. Failure to configure is just as bad as misconfiguring settings.

Sidestepping rules and regulations

Protocols are always in place for a reason – to increase efficiency while cutting down on risk. Ignore protocols and you run the risk of making everything go haywire. Sidestepping protocol for any reason is a big no-no. Perhaps certain security rules were ignored for the sake of convenience. Or maybe a few regulations ever overlooked because it was making the job at hand tougher. In any industry, abandoning protocol can lead to mayhem. However, to do so when concerning web security is absolutely unforgivable. Despite this, it is amazing how frequently this occurs.

Make sure to avoid these three errors and you should be able to close any backdoors right on the hacker’s face.

Computer viruses are the bane of computers and computer users. They cause wanton destruction and cause your PC to crash, especially when you need it most. To get your computer back on its legs and going is a herculean task and consumes a lot of time and money and the wait can be painful. It makes good sense to have effective antivirus software installed and prevent such outbreaks. Here are some malicious viruses and the best antidotes, or antivirus software rather, to fight them.

Melissa was a macro virus that was dreaded most when it broke out and spread through email, causing untold misery to Microsoft and Intel, forcing them to shut down their mail servers. Surprisingly, the name originated from a stripper in Miami after whom the virus was christened. It arrived in a person’s email, and the moment the message was opened it rapidly spread to the first 50 email addresses in the person’s address book. This way it spread like wild fire and containing it was rather difficult. The best antivirus for this is software like F-Secure, which can fight it effectively.

People still remember the disastrous effects MyDoom had as it was probably the only worm that spread the fastest during that period, fast enough to beat the ILoveYou.  The strategy was an email reporting a standard delivery failure, prompting the receiver to investigate further by opening the email. The moment the email was opened, the virus got triggered and sent itself to the addresses contained in the address book of the recipient.  The easiest way adopted to fight this malicious virus was by using StandGuard AntiVirus that contained the menace by seeking it out and removing it.

The virus that distinctly stands in most people’s memory is probably Sasser & Netsky, because of the betrayal that followed. A close friend of the creator of the virus (an 18-year-old) turned him in to the authorities as he was tempted by the bounty offered by Microsoft. This virus surpassed MyDoom and caused havoc by invading computers through a loop-hole in Microsoft’s Windows, until it was finally contained. The virus prevented the shutting down of the PC by altering the functioning of the OS, leaving no choice but to cut the power source. However, any regular antivirus software was enough to contain this menace that raged for a short while.

Another email work that kicked up a storm was the Storm Worm virus. It was camouflaged, and worked more like a Trojan Horse, and spread rapidly through emails. It could disguise itself as some important bit of news, or an important current event and ease itself into the email and spread its ugly tentacles. It targeted PCs that ran Microsoft’s Operating System and proliferated rapidly, without causing the least bit of suspicion. It is suspected to have infected millions of computers across the world, before it could be finally contained. It had the ability to hide files and any process that was associated with those files. Here again, scanning the PC with any latest anti-virus software helped contain and remove.

All Virtual Private Networks aren’t created equal. While all of them provide you with a security and encrypt the information that’s sent over the network, using an anonymous VPN takes your identity and online activity privacy a step further. If you ever have to use a public or untrusted network, you might want to consider using an anonymous proxy. Some are able to give you an offshore IP access and link you with an anonomyzing server that hides your actual IP address and where you’re located. Anonymous VPNs are one of the best ways to protect your information from web sites and applications that gather your usernames, passwords and other sensitive information.

What to Look For In an Anonymous VPN

When trying to decide which anonymous VPN to got with, you’ll want to be sure that the network doesn’t keep track of your online activities, that they accept anonymous payments, that you don’t have to enter an abundance of information in order for you to register and that they allow unrestricted Internet usage. It’s also recommended that you make sure that the VPN isn’t aware of your location, which can be done by paying anonymously and by providing them with artificial credentials. There are certain payment systems that allow you to make pseudo-anonymous payments. If you download music, TV shows, games or movies, then you might want to look into getting an anonymous bittorrent so you can download without fear of your IP address being revealed.

Common Features of Anonymous VPNs

Anonymous VPNs come with a variety of features that you might be interested in depending on your personal preferences. Not all VPNs support major operating systems, so before you download one, make sure that it’s compatible with your computer’s operating system. You’ll also want to make sure that the VPN doesn’t lag while you’re downloading files or browsing the Internet. One feature that you might be interested in is a VPN that has a leakage block and an Internet kill switch, which basically disconnects your computer from the internet if your VPN connection were to ever be lost.

Torguard VPNs are catered specifically for bittorrent users and include encryption tunnel software for users who consider their security to be their top priority. Certain anonymous VPNs support P2P transfers and offer game server hosting. If you live in an extremely hostile area where you might be physically threatened if your online activities were ever to come to light, then you’ll want to find a network that is especially focused on the security of all of their users. There are certain areas of the world where nations don’t allow their citizens full access to the Internet and constantly monitor traffic. Anonymous VPNs make it possible for people to browse the Internet without fear of being discovered and charged with a criminal offense.

Not everything about anonymous VPNs is all good and great. Some networks have horrible email support and there are also networks that drop users from the service when a certain country’s servers are used. You also have to be aware of networks that only allow connection to their servers from a single household at a time.

5 Reasons Why You Should Backup Online
To prevent the loss of important business data and files, routine online backup is necessary. Simply defined, online backup is an offsite data storage method. Your files are stored on a remote server or a computer that is connected to the World Wide Web. When looking for a service provider, it is necessary to consider the experience, reputation and charges. There are many reasons why you should choose to backup online, here we look at 5 of the main reasons.

1.      Automation

The first reason to backup online is that the entire process is automated. Backing up offsite doesn’t involve copying your files onto drives and delivering them to a company providing the backup services or anything like that! Instead, your files are automatically copied onto the data vault of your service provider. This helps save time. Think of how much time you would have spent manually copying files onto tapes and transporting them to the service provider. You can use that time to focus on and develop other aspects of your business. You have the liberty of choosing how often you want to backup. Automation also helps save money. Think of the amount you would have spend buying data drives to store the data. Lastly, because online backup is automatic, human error is avoided.

2.       Security

Another reason you should backup online is that it is secure. By storing your data elsewhere than on site your data is less likely to be lost in a fire or a flood, for example. Online backup providers often store data two locations so if one place is damaged, your data is still safe. Data you store yourself onsite is rarely encrypted. What this means is that it is easy for an outsider to gain access to your files leading to sabotage. However, data that is backed up online is encrypted and with encryption, no one can get access to the files unless they use the right password.

3.       Access

The third advantage of online backup is it can be managed and accessed from anywhere. Even if you are travelling, as long as you are connected to the Internet, you can access your files. This is especially important for large companies with offices in different locations.

4.       Peace Of Mind

The fourth advantage of online backup is that it gives peace of mind. If you choose to backup your own files, there is a good chance that you will always be worried about their safety. However, this is not the case if you choose an online backup services provider to do it for you. Nevertheless it is necessary to choose a company with a good reputation. Reading reviews and talking to some of the company’s clients will help you make an informed choice.

5.       Retrieval

Last but not least, your files are always ready for restore. You do not have to worry even if you accidentally click on the wrong button and delete all your files. You will still be able to retrieve them a few minutes later. There are even service providers who deliver backed up files in carriers so that you do not have to waste time downloading them from the Internet.

Taking these five reasons into account, it is clear that for anyone serious about protecting their data, online backup is the way forward. Do some research and find out which online backup provider offers a service that best suits your needs.

With a growing popularity of cloud based software solutions, the issues of data security were brought into spotlight. Cost-effective platform, easy file management and increased efficiency are the benefits that are most frequently related to the concept of cloud computing. However, the possible security risks frequently overshadow the cloud’s bright side..

Benefits that made cloud computing popular

Cloud computing is one of the trends in technology that boomed among both private users and in businesses settings. When it comes to consumer-oriented market, Dropbox is the app that made a revolution among the internet users, enabling them to easily share and sync all kinds of digital files. Businesses, on the other hand, have found the ways to use the cloud platform to cut their IT costs and improve overall efficiency. Benefits of the cloud are multiple indeed, but what actually makes many companies hesitant to adopting these newly invented solutions is the question of data security.

Cloud computing security – Gartner

Ever since the Internet became a household item, the issues of security and privacy were attached to it. Businesses are well aware of how valuable their data is and are not comfortable with storing it on places outside the company servers. Despite the general attractiveness of the cloud platform, many CTOs still discuss the pros and cons of storing data in the cloud. The cons usually refer to the security issues.

Gartner’s 2008 report neatly outlined the major cloud security risks that come down to these:

SLA should cover security in detail

When the cloud migration plan is made, the next thing the company managers need to pay attention to is creating a stable SLA agreement with their provider. Ideally, SLA will cover the above described issues in detail, leaving no place for CTOs to further worry about the data security. Plenty of cloud providers offer customized solutions where SLAs require additional examinations. What companies need to do is read between the lines and make sure every single statement in the SLA is clear. This especially goes for the questions of security, as this is the only way to secure smooth functioning in the cloud. After the security issues are resolved, it is much easier to manage cloud strategy so it is as efficient as possible.

Businesses that handle a lot of financial and legally binding documents have a lot to keep track of. Aside from making sure the documents are properly stored and monitored, these documents should also be destroyed in a timely manner when they become obsolete so businesses don’t get inundated with information. A good document management solution can go a long way toward alerting companies when a document needs to be properly destroyed.

BMO Harris Bank said properly managing financial documents may be a headache, but it can also help prevent identity theft and provide proof of important transactions. Companies should make sure they are keeping documents for a proper amount of time.

“Too many people learn too late that it’s vital to save certain financial documentation,” said Ken Hall, senior vice president at M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group. “Whether you need to prove contributions to an IRA or provide tax-related documentation to the IRS, organizing and managing your financial paperwork can reap dividends over the long term.”

 

BMO Harris offers some advice for businesses dealing with financial documents, including keeping documents organized for easy reference in the event that paperwork is needed for taxes, account statements or other reasons. Companies should also backup important documents or put them in storage to keep them safe.

The bank also suggests determining which documents need to be kept for a long period and which do not. BMO gave tax documents as an example, with documents that verify tax deductions needing to be saved for seven years. After this point, people and companies should eliminate these documents to have less financial information out there. Documents that include personal identification details that are no longer useful should be eliminated as well.

Financial Planning’s 2011 Tech Survey said more financial firms are using document management than they in the past. The report said 42 percent of respondents used a document management solution in 2011, up 74 percent from 2010.

“It’s vitally important,” said Mary Kusske, president of Burnsville, Minn.-based Kusske Financial Management, according to Financial Planning. “We need to have documentation in place for compliance.”

She said her company uses multiple solutions for document management, and they have been working well. Businesses looking to get a better handle on information and documents should be sure to look into what document solutions can do for their company.