Online Security

One of the biggest concerns in computer technology is online security. The focus of internet security is on online banking/shopping, protecting company and national securit data, and protecting against widespread malicious attacks like worms. The most common mediums for these attacks are--- Malicious software (malware): includes computer worms(some of the most damaging, like heartbleed), ransomware (demanding a ransom to lift restrictions on hardware/software), scarware (usually hackers installing malware for limited to no benefit with the purpose of causing shock/anxiety), trojan horses DoS attacks (denail of service attacks): limiting a targeted networks resources to restrict its ability to do certain things. One common method involves saturating the targets communication network Phishing: an attempt to obtain sensitive information (credit card info, social security number, bank account numbers) by posiing as a trusted entity online Many countries have been implicated in sophisticated computer espionage warfare. US and Israel were implicated in spying on Iran's nuclear talks, German and US relations were strained when it was discovered that the US had been spying on German chancellor Angela Merkel, and the NSA was very notoriously implicated in spying on the US general population by the whistleblower Edward Snowden. While national security is obviously a serious concern, it is estimated that the NSA's computer security activities cost the US 35 billion globally. Other countries market campaigns focus on the negative aspects of NSA activity in attempts to take away US market share and foreign policy makers put in place protectionist laws against US firms. The biggest obstacles to overcoming cyber security issues are the adaptive and constant threats that would exploit security, the lack of a qualified workforce to stop them, and government and policy makers slow reaction time.