Common Threats

• Malicious code: viruses, worms, trojans - Protect your workstation with updated anti-virus software and only open emails from people you know and trust .
• Hackers: People will try to manipulate you or your computer to gain information. Be vigilant about giving out information .
• Physical theft: Protect equipment and information by restricting access to it. Proper access controls prevents system snooping and obtaining information by unauthorized users.
• Identity theft: Do not share confidential or sensitive information about yourself or your agency without appropriate authorization .

Viruses

• Viruses: A virus is a program or code that attaches itself to a legitimate, executable program, and then reproduces itself when that program is run. Viruses may be opened or run as an email attachment or contained in a document or spreadsheet macro in order for the program to replicate and damage your data or computer.
  • Example: Melissa Macro Virus.
• Worm: A self-contained program (or set of programs) that is able to spread copies of itself to other computer systems. The propagation usually takes place through network connections or email attachments.
  • Example: Code Red, Nimda, Klez, I LOVE YOU.
• Trojans: A program that neither replicates nor copies itself, but performs some illicit activity when it is run. It stays in the computer doing its damage or allows somebody from a remote site to take control of the computer. Trojans often sneak into your system attached to a free game .
  • Example: elf-bowling game, christmas cards.
• The vast majority of viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses (backdoor programs) are propagated through e-mail.
• Other methods include file-sharing (files from home, chat, peer-to- peer networks like Kazaa, Morpheus, etc.) and using infected media.