Glossary of Threats

Computer Failure: Computer system threats are many and varied. Power outages can cause loss of data; surges and sags can damage both data and equipment. Water leaks and fires bring computer system hazards. Saboteurs from within or those who infiltrate your company's computer network can delete data, access proprietary information, and install viruses and worms, that can bring your systems to a halt. Even well intentioned employees pose a threat when user mistakes become system-wide errors.

Computer Hacking: Computer hackers are individuals who gain access into restricted or private systems for the purpose of profit or destruction. A hacker is generally an expert at programming and solving problems relating to computers. However, a hacker is also someone who uses their expertise for criminal purposes. In gaining illegal access, hackers are able to download confidential files, tamper with them, steal them completely, or even use the lifted information for blackmail purposes. Most businesses are unaware that hackers are able to access their secret files, much less tamper with them. The solution is knowledge and computer security.

Computer Viruses and Worms: It is of paramount importance to protect your company's information from infection that can come in the form of a virus or its close cousin, the worm. A worm, like a virus, is a damaging organism that has the ability to self-replicate. Unlike a virus, a worm does not need to live in another program and can spread through your system by itself. This makes it a nastier, more dangerous infection that can spread quickly. The most common way for a computer to become infected is through e-mail or by visiting a website that carries a virus. Reliable firewall protection is the best way to protect against these types of infections.