Keep up with the latest information on computer security problems. The recent Black Hat conference underscores how vital computer security is, and how much Apple is at risk. Jim Hamm found two articles from InfoWorld that we need to read. This one and this other one.
Here's the parts Jim wants to emphasize, "The author—who, interestingly, is a full-time principal security analyst at Microsoft— observes the following: 'So when I'm asked if Microsoft or Apple's security is better than the other, it's not a question even worth answering. Overall, computer security is pretty bad. Nearly any company can be hacked, with just a little research and know-how.'"
And here's Jim's emphasis: "OS X or Windows—it doesn't matter—one should just use common sense and caution on the internet. As for 'Cloud' computing or storage, I personally would never store anything of a personal or critical nature on a server somewhere. I prefer to have my 'offsite' storage on an external hard drive that I can store where I want."
With all the new devices, iPhone, iPad, etc. along with our personal computers the personal information floating around, available for any hacker is astounding. Thanks, Jim, for sharing your viewpoint.
Organized Crime is Stealing Data
In case you didn't read it, here is an interesting article from the Windows Secrets newsletter on online data theft. Jim Hamm comments, "Seems as though it is relatively easy to hack web servers that use SQL databases. The study noted that 85% of the breeches was from organized crime, and 'that 98% of the stolen data was snatched directly from company servers — mostly by use of malware and direct hacking.' I hope Amazon's servers are reasonably secure -- we do a fair amount of shopping there.
"This isn't a topic I lie awake at night worrying about, but it is a risk one takes if you want to do online shopping -- which many people do," Jim concludes.