WHAT IS SECURITY?
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UNDIRECTED AND DIRECTED THREATS
Undirected threats are threats that are not directed at you personally, but might still affect you.
Examples include phishing emails and computer virus infections. These methods are always
automated and are just looking to get new victims, that can be everyone. Some schemes can
evolve into a directed threat (for example when responding to e-mails telling you you won the
"Spanish online lottery"). Also unprotected websites, or networks, can be dangerous if you fill in
your login codes or credit card information.
These threats can be compared to walking around in an unknown city, ending up in the wrong
neighborhood and getting mugged. This book aims to be your city guide helping to prevent you to
be at the wrong place at the wrong time. To protect yourself from this type of threats we
recommend you to read at least the sections on General Computer Security, Secure E-mailing
and Secure Browsing. Next to that it is key to keep your wits about you, keep your eyes and
ears open and don't loose your common sense.
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Directed threats are the most dangerous ones. A long known wisdom amongst security specialists
is the notion that "Only amateurs attack machines, professionals attack people." Directed
threats are aimed at you personally or your organization and might involve a lot of different
techniques. Attackers will use a mix of social engineering, sophisticated tools, luck and hard
work. Directed attacks are a lot more expensive to undertake than undirected ones, as mostly
they require more skills and work hours.
One source for directed attacks can be people you know, for example co-workers, your boss,
your spouse or friends. They might do so out of curiosity or for worse purposes. Small
measurements might be enough to counter these attacks, like using a password on your
computer and locking your screen when leaving your computer unattended.
Also thieves that gained access to your bank account, for example through phishing or spying on
unprotected networks, are considered a serious threat to the internet user.
Another source of directed threats are (repressive) societies. Governments have a range of
motivations for monitoring or restricting different kinds of people's online activity.
WHO MIGHT NEED THIS MANUAL?
Of course, there are several reasons why you might need some guidance for internet security. Who are possible users that can have personal or professional reasons to take extra safety
measures.
Journalists probably face directed threats. Organized crime, corruption, and government brutality
are dangerous subjects to cover. You may need to protect yourself and your sources of
information.
Bloggers can encounter similar problems. You may want to write about everyday life, but issues
are silenced or unpopular because of ethnicity or gender. You might prefer anonymity or need it
to connect with a support group.
Diplomats are also under heavy surveillance, as we know from the Wikileaks affair. You'd rather
communicate in a safe way with your colleagues because the the content of your e-mails could
have damaging effects.
Activists may want to improve your government or are seeking a new one. You may want to
expose environmental issues, labor abuses, fraud, or corruption at your place of work. Your
government and employers are not going to be happy about this no matter the time of year, but
they may put more effort into monitoring you if they suspect that there will be protests in the
streets soon.
Internet users: You might want to increase your security while browsing or mailing so you are
better defended against undirected attack, or you might be just fed up with companies storing all
your data for financial purposes, or suggesting you all sorts of things about yourself and your
friends.
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