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Business security

Internet security – a synonym for sleepless nights

How do we sleep at nights? Everywhere I turn I seem to come across security issues relating to my use of the internet.

In catching up on my reading I find that a team of Japanese researchers have figured out how to crack the WPA encryption technology that up until now I had considered to offer my home wireless network a safe and secure browsing environment, at least from the next door neighbour.

As it is the wireless performance of my home router is suspect because I suspect that it is finds it harder to cope with WPA than the previously less secure but more performant WEP.

Next I’m writing a blog post and a security warning flashes up in front of my eyes on the WordPress console telling me about a vulnerability in older versions of the blogging software that has caused some bloggers to lose large numbers of posts. Fortunately I am up to date with my patches.

One of my sons then complains that his website has been identified as a source of malware by Google. I investigate and find that indeed this is the case and remove the problem. His laptop, however, is a difficult kettle of fish to clean. It has conficker and some other nasties that won’t let any of the worm removal tools on to sort it out. So we are having to reflash his laptop and I then go around the house cleaning up all 12 memory sticks that the kids have in their possession (the fruits of a number of visits to trade shows 🙂 ) .

I could go on. It’s all very well for me though because I have dozens of highly skilled engineers sat outside my office door for who all this is bread and butter stuff. Our customers can also access these resources (for a fair price). The real problem is going to be for Joe Public who, as a consumer, is going to drown in the stormy seas of internet security.

Sorry if this one seems a little on the pessimistic side – it isn’t normally my nature.

Trefor Davies

By Trefor Davies

Liver of life, father of four, CTO of trefor.net, writer, poet, philosopherontap.com

One reply on “Internet security – a synonym for sleepless nights”

funny you should blog on this subject, the first time for ages tonight i went to this site and it is now flashing up a warning. http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=sa&id=1744
“Reported Attack Site!

This web site at http://www.ibls.com has been reported as an attack site and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

Attack sites try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.

Some attack sites intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners.”

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