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What Is The Biggest Computer Security Threat?

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by Arie, 2011/11/26.

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What Is The Biggest Computer Security Threat?

Poll closed 2011/12/31.

  1. Insecure Wireless Networks

    5 vote(s)
    7.2%

  2. Insiders

    2 vote(s)
    2.9%

  3. Instant Messaging

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  4. Lack of User Awareness / Education

    46 vote(s)
    66.7%

  5. P2P Applications

    3 vote(s)
    4.3%

  6. Phishing Attacks

    2 vote(s)
    2.9%

  7. Rootkits

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  8. Spam

    1 vote(s)
    1.4%

  9. Spyware / Adware

    1 vote(s)
    1.4%

  10. System Setup (User Accounts / Logon / Access)

    1 vote(s)
    1.4%

  11. USB Attachable Devices

    1 vote(s)
    1.4%

  12. Viruses / Worms

    7 vote(s)
    10.1%
Page 1 of 2
  1. 2011/11/26
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff Thread Starter

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    So what would you see as the biggest thread to computer security?

    So just note that this is not a multi-choice poll. The question specifically wants you to answer what you think is the number one threat.
     
    Arie,
    #1
  2. 2011/11/26
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    I chose Lack of User Awareness / Education.

    Most of the issues I've seen with malware getting installed on users computers or users falling for phishing scams comes down to the users own ignorance with not knowing the basic rules and safety guidelines of using the Internet.

    If more users would get educated on learning the dangers of using the Internet, then I think there would be less malware infections going around. Sure your computer system can still get infected because of incorrect user settings or because the machine is running on an unsecure network.

    But those Internet threats on the list become more or less dangerous depending on how much knowledge a user has of how to mitigate those threats. If you are smart about your browsing habits, you are running your computer on a secure network with a Firewall running, you have set Windows to install updates automatically, and you have an updated Antivirus program running in the background, then the chances of falling for a phishing scam or getting infected with malware will be dramitically reduced.
     
    Last edited: 2011/11/26
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2011/11/26
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    +1
    The biggest threat sits behind the keyboard.
     
    broni,
    #3
  5. 2011/11/26
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I wholeheartedly agree.

    PICNIC (Problem In Chair, Not In Computer).
     
    SpywareDr,
    #4
  6. 2011/11/26
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    I've got to say lack of awareness/education, if that gets sorted then the rest wouldn't have a look in.
     
    wildfire,
    #5
  7. 2011/11/26
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Lack of awareness/education got my vote. I'll add to that arrogance...for lack of a better word.

    Some of the worse infections I've dealt with were on systems belonging to self-styled "techs," all but one teenagers. The one was barely out of his teens.

    They are so convinced of their own expertise in the Wonderful World of Computers, they don't believe they will get an infestation and when they do, they invariably blame it on "bad software."

    I've only known one of them well enough to point out that the bad software was actually the bad wetware between his ears. He was at least mature enough to laugh at himself.
     
    Miz,
    #6
  8. 2011/11/26
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    I say the biggest threat is still viruses/worms.

    I don't see 'lack of awareness/edu' as a threat.

    A user should not have to learn about computer vulnerabilities, security and "safe computing" to the degree it has become necessary to know these things today by IT & Security Pros. Most larger businesses have trained staff to deal with security because it's more economical to have personnel just doing their work.

    Businesses must pay to get their employees trained to use the software that the businesses use and cannot afford to also train their employees in computer security.

    Remember, to those of us who understand more than just the security basics, our edu consists of years of experience and even self-training at our own expense.

    The amount of malicious software the circulates today takes the pleasure out of computing for the average user.

    To a home user, the computer is viewed just like the person views any other appliance he purchases. He should not have to have an awareness of the dangers of breathing freon to operate his refrigerator. He should not need to be educated in internal combustion engines in order to drive his car. The average consumer is content to know just what he needs to know in order to use his devices and then have professionals fix them when necessary.

    He should have an awareness that computer threats exist and he should have access to software that handles these threats. OEMs know this & that's the main reason AV-Security bundles come pre-installed on new computers.

    The most senior form of education is direct observation. A user's education is obtained by trial & error & also direct experience. After he's lost data by failing to make backups, after he's been through expensive repairs and frustrating malware, he has hopefully learned from the experiences and will seek knowledge about how to prevent & deal with them in the future. If he doesn't do that then will eventually stop using computers.

    Viruses, trojans, malicious software are the threat. Edu is a preventative measure.

    The most common question I get asked by my clients when I am removing malware is this: "Why do people make these malicious software? "

    My simplistic answer is this: "Because approx 15-20% of all the people in this world are criminals and that's what criminals do. "
     
    TonyT,
    #7
  9. 2011/11/26
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    I'm sorry Tony, it's not often but I completely disagree with you.

    You have to think about how malware gets in in the first place (why does that red oil light keep appearing on my dashboard?).

    If I could pick a secondary choice it would be insiders (family/friends) or Usb devices (again probably from family/friends) but like any car owner the responsibility for driving without insurance etc lies with him/her not only the driver.

    Anyway, I'm just expressing my opinion which just happens to differ from yours.
     
    wildfire,
    #8
  10. 2011/11/26
    joescat

    joescat Inactive

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    I also selected user awareness / education. I've been doing computer security for a long while now, and although many of the choices are a good choice, it is ultimately the end user who can allow or disallow (or attract / not attract) threats to begin with.
    The flip side of many opinions already stated are users that "never" have any security issues - they simply don't do the things typically introducing risk, and those times when it comes uninvited, they recognize and sidestep the threat easily.

    Sad to say that users do need to be educated - IF they don't otherwise have that inherent caution and skepticism already. Some people just start thinking differently when at a computer, though they might be duly careful in other situations. I know some people that often run into trouble, that just won't ever believe there are "bad guys" out there. They think anti-virus software should be enough to protect them from everything.
     
    Last edited: 2011/11/27
    joescat,
    #9
  11. 2011/11/26
    Palmtree

    Palmtree Inactive

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    Always The End-User

    I've been in the game for 40 years and it has always been the end user (user awareness and education).

    They want their computer to be like a toaster -- put in the bread and out pops the result. Unfortunately for us, the techies, they don't really have the interest or time for such things as security. I can't say I really blame them, but until we can make computer usage as safe as flying on an airline, we are going to be saddled with the "crashes in security" that we currently have. [pardon all my mixed metaphors]
     
    Palmtree,
    #10
  12. 2011/11/27
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I chose P2P but I agree with wildfire - usually "the nut behind the driving wheel ".
     
    retiredlearner,
    #11
  13. 2011/11/27
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    One example:

    You have a Castle built with real thick rock walls.

    You then have a 30 foot high really thick rock wall built all the way around that.

    You then have them go out another 50 feet and put up another 30 foot high rock wall all the way around the first one.

    And finally you have them dig out a really deep moat between the two walls and stock it with alligators.

    So there you are, thousands of man hours later, and your family is safe and secure, right?

    Wrong! Your daughter dropped the drawbridge and invited a pimply-faced intruder in?!

    Lack of education.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #12
  14. 2011/11/27
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    I am not in total disagreement with "lack of edu ".
    But in such an example, there should be a sign next to the door lever "Do not open" or a guard posted there.

    A sign or guard implies "policy" which regulates security.

    No amount of edu can thwart those that (continually) violate policy.
     
    TonyT,
    #13
  15. 2011/11/27
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    It's OK to disagree. In fact, it's actually an ability. (most don't realize that, due to a lifetime of being punished for having disagreed)

    My disagreement with awareness/lack of edu probably stems from basically considering edu a solution rather than an actual threat. By definition, a threat is something that produces danger, or it's an intent to cause harm.

    I do agree that the computer user who fails to learn after experiencing several threats IS the biggest threat himself to a business. Or as a home user he's his own worst enemy.

    One must be aware of some thing(s). One must be educated in things. And the things here are threats, which I consider to be malware, viruses, etc. His edu must include a basic understanding that these things exist and are a potential danger. And his edu must include simple solutions to the dangers. And any edu above those 2 points becomes quite technical rapidly. And that's why I did not select edu in the survey.

    Perhaps I was too literal when reading the survey. But it sure does make for good discussion!
     
    TonyT,
    #14
  16. 2011/11/27
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    I see your point, yes lack of education is not in itself a threat but if people were properly made aware of the security issues when using things like P2P etc then the other threats wouldn't be such an issue.

    Of course some people aren't able, don't care or simply can't be bothered. For that group the biggest threat is probably their power button.
     
    wildfire,
    #15
  17. 2011/11/27
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    From the moment you're born you must start learning to survive, (or die).

    If you don't learn the local rules you will suffer the consequences.

    Naivety in nature can get you killed.

    Lack of driving skills can cost you and others dearly.

    Same with surfing the net. It can be dangerous. And if you don't learn how to take care of your computer, it will not be your computer for long.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #16
  18. 2012/01/26
    catsend

    catsend Well-Known Member

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    I agree with you completely. And the automotive analogy is something I have used when talking to people and their computer problems.
    I am now retired ,but worked as an auto tech most of my life. Just for a smile I was ask by a young lady (collage student) what is the RED light on my dashboard for and I told her is was a low oil indicator. She say's "could you check my oil ?" It was not showing any oil
    on the dipstick.I told her I would add some for her. (And now for the really good part)
    She said she would let her dad check and add the oil. I asked her how far she had to drive (assuming it would be in town close by). She said Boise ID,so I said that's is about 300 miles and she said that's OK and drove off. I doubt she made it home.
    And they let people drive cars and run computers,no wounder.
     
    catsend,
    #17
  19. 2012/01/26
    clitwin13 Lifetime Subscription

    clitwin13 Well-Known Member

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    Everyone makes excellent points but attitude to me is the biggest threat. Until the end user treats the computer and it's inherent capabilities with the respect it is due, the threat will always succeed. Just as any device with the power and potential (i.e. automobile, construction tool, firearm etc.) needs to be handled in a responsible way lest damage be done, the computer is no toy. No one leaves their wallet or purse laying about unattended because these personal items generally contain valuable information, articles, ID's or money. So why store similar valuable information (and at times more valuable information) and then leave it vulnerable and within the electronic reach of others out of sheer neglect..... just sayin'
     
    clitwin13,
    #18
  20. 2012/01/27
    OhNoNotAgain Contributing Member

    OhNoNotAgain Inactive

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    I was going to say that laziness should be on the poll, but I see that has been more than well covered by 'clitwin' with the 'attitude' post.

    Beyond that, I'd say most definitely it is "Lack of User Awareness / Education ". I'm thinking "Insecure Wireless Networks" deserves a lot more attention than it's getting. There are a lot of people that are going to be seriously 'bit' if they don't secure their wifi activity.
     
    OhNoNotAgain,
    #19
  21. 2012/02/04
    smokinjoe

    smokinjoe Inactive

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    "What Is The Biggest Computer Security Threat? "

    The direct short between the keyboard and the floor.
     
    smokinjoe,
    #20
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