In case you have not noticed hackers are developing smarter, more destructive and more importantly automated viruses, worms and Trojans.  Automated attacks have jumped over the past few years from 21,000 incidents in 2000 to over 137,000 incidents in 2003.  For example, a recent automated reconnaissance worm searches Google automatically for websites running vulnerable bulletin board software and defaced them. But there is hope through better spam blockers and by turning networks into a security device which automates defenses.

These hackers are steeling our identity/money and doing it through legitimate sites, such as, in Brazil 53 people were arrested for steeling 30 million dollars from online banking customers.  Zombies are how they are getting away with it, which are computers that have been taken over remotely through email attachments and online downloading.  “Vendor Sophos plc estimates more than 30% of spam originates from zombies.” (Information 57) Two months later it was reported 80% of spam originated from zombies.

“Cyber” crime has increased due to the increase in computers connecting to the internet and increase in processor speeds and bandwidth availability.  Hackers take these conditions, find flaws in your software and infect your computer.  Whether things are getting better or worse is a huge debate in the technical world; one side is the “expansion of the internet to cell phones, PDA’s, video game boxes and industrial control systems” (Information 58) this increases security issues, hence getting worse; the other side “suggests that best practices and innovative technology, in conjunction with law enforcement and user education” (Information 58) will minimize risks, hence getting better.  When and how this war will end is still being decided.

Claburn, Thomas. Machine Wars. Information Week 1/17/2005 p54-58.

This article summary presents interesting issues regarding security, where SESI excels, below outlines some suggestions:

	Check out the Customer Service Center for security articles.
	Be sure your computer has spyware and adware detection software.  Spybot offers a free spyware at www.spybot.com and www.lavasoft.usa.com offers ad-aware, the free version is not as robust as the SE+ version which is only $26.95.
	Invest in virus protection such as Norton Anti-Virus and keep it updated.