Why would someone want my computer?

Hi People

Whilst seeing a number of clients recently, a very similar question was asked, by several of them. The question was a one of why.  

Why would someone want my computer, I don't store anything on it? Or why do they do it (electronically vandalise computers)?

Whilst, if you think that derranged electronic nerds may be after your bank account, or credit card details, there are other reason why they would want to access your computer.  Consider the following:

1. Your system is a fully functioning PC with a link to the internet.
2. You have details which are personal, and these a probably stored on your PC, and I am not talking about bank, credit card or passwords.  Here the point is your email address book and other contacts, photos and letters etc.
3. Business quotes, and supplier details

Right let's have a look at these one by one (and I sure I have missed some other reasons).

1) Having a fully functioning PC connected to the internet, means it can be controlled remotely by a third party (with the right software present - legitimate or illegitimate).   It could then become part of a large network of computers all controlled by this one piece of software (read one person or perhaps a group of people). 

Now these people may want to extort money from a company or individual (read target), by getting all the remotely controlled computers, to send a request of some sort (or even an email) to the target and with such a lot of requests the servers may not cope and they go offline.  Which means the target cannot do business online. 

Your PC could well be part of this and you wouldn't know it.  These are called botnets

2) Email addresses, a possible source of infection for your friends, colleagues, associates, and business suppliers.

If there are letters of a personal nature, and or pictures then the third party can start a personal identity theft file on you.

3) Businesses losing out to competitors, time and time again, (industrial espionage) could possibly be a trojan or other piece of malware  sending back information on your business activities, or indeed on the whole business structure.

Think about it, your PC is worth a bundle to 'them' out there on the internet.

Get some internet security, but wait don't just rely on that, get at least two good antispyware packages (free ones, for personal use), update often them and use them regularly and OFTEN (not just once a month or two weeks).  Go to www.gds888.com and find a link to two good antispyware products in the free software section.

Go on Do IT Now before you forget.

See you next time

Prometheus1618

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