What is Hacking?

What is your definition of hacking? Most people think of the news stories that relate to big companies having embarrassing problems as their data is compromised. But in truth, hacking goes a lot further than this.

It doesn't always have to be someone you don't know who hacks into your systems and causes problems for your business. It could equally be someone who works for you that doesn't have your best interests at heart. This is because the basic meaning of hacking is when someone accesses some or all of your computer systems without permission. And it doesn't just happen over the internet.

Quite often, many people don't see how widespread computer hacking can be. Assuming that they are only in danger from internet based attacks means they may not be covered for all risks. Even those companies that do all they can to prevent hacking which occurs online may have unwittingly turned a blind eye to other dangers.

This is why an understanding of what hacking is and what it involves can help you to protect your own business more fully. But what do you do if you don't know all the ins and outs of the threats posed?

The easiest solution is to rely on an expert to make sure every potential hole is plugged, and no one can break into your systems. Network penetration testing is one of the best ways to see how good your computer network really is. If you do have vulnerabilities it's best to find out via someone who is honest and is looking for them to benefit you. If you assume everything is okay and it isn't, you could be in for a nasty shock at some point in the future.

It is probably because people limit their definition of hacking that some businesses are more in danger than they realise. Everyone likes to think that all their employees are working honestly and for the company's good, but it doesn't always pan out that way.

Supposing an employee was given notice to leave but they had until the end of the day to clear their desk. They could potentially do a lot of damage to your computer system before they left, if the mood took them that way. Even though you could have them arrested for their actions, the damage would still be done and it would take time to rectify.

An expert in the field of ethical hacking would be able to highlight any potential problems and solve them before anyone else had a chance to exploit them. And that is certainly a service that is worth paying for.

Don't make the mistake of thinking this should only be done once though. Hackers are constantly finding new ways into previously secure systems. If you employ a company to see how up to date your security measures really are, make sure you do it on a regular basis. If you don't, you still run the risk of being caught out.

Pure Hacking helps protect your Internet security by providing world-class penetration testing and ethical hacking risk management services. For a free consultation, please visit Ethical Hacking.

Credit Card Users Need to Be Careful With Their Computers

If you, like most of us, own a home computer it is likely that you have used it to store personal information, perhaps done some internet banking, saved the addresses and names of family members for your Christmas card list...

It is unlikely that you would imagine yourself leaving this information out on the front door step for anybody on the street to come across, and we all know that we need to shred our personal information before we put it into the litter, but there are more aggressive identity thieves out there who are determined to get their hands on your information.

Personal computers are the new hot target for the thieves after your personal information, and they're stopping at nothing to get hold of them. If you decide to get rid of your computer for any reason, make sure you wipe the hard drive of every single thing on it otherwise you risk making it easily available to thieves. Identity fraudsters are looking specifically for used personal computers so they can harvest the information still on the hard rive.

If they can't get hold of your computer information this way, they will use a more aggressive approach and simply break into your home and steal the computer from you. There are a rising amount of theft victims saying that little more than the home computer has been stolen.

If you have any saved bank statements, pin numbers (a surprising amount of us keep these codes in a word document!) photographs of you and your family, passwords to bank accounts online etc all of this is going to in a neat little package waiting for the thief. It is so important to remember to password protect these files, if you must have them on your computer.

If you are going to get rid of your computer, take it to a responsible location and remember to destroy the hard disk inside. This way the computer can be recycled and its parts used without being a risk to your identity being stolen.

For credit cards be sure to make sure you look into all of the different credit card deals available. 0% credit cards can really make the difference on the day you are caught out on a payment you can't ignore.

Security Features You Should Know About If You Are Printing Your Own Checks

Hackers, spammers, and scammers are constantly surfing the Web looking for unwary victims. More and more people are falling victim to financial crimes such as check fraud, which is the number one crime in the financial sector.

In order to safeguard against check fraud, checks are being updated to contain enhanced security features. The increased security features help to prevent common crimes such as tampering, photocopying, and counterfeiting. Checks that lack security features can be readily altered by criminals.

It is common for checks to use one or more enhanced security features. One way to provide check security is by using special types of paper. One example is controlled paper stock in which checks are printed on a special, high-quality paper. Another way to provide security using paper is by printing checks on chemical sensitive paper. Checks are printed on a special paper that resists chemical alterations. Any type of chemical alteration will result in the destruction of the paper.

Another way to add security to checks is by using special printing techniques. Micro printing is an attractive security feature that places a small border around the check. To the naked eye, the border appears as a broken line but it is actually a series of words that cannot be duplicated by a photocopier or scanner. Prismatic pantographs are another printing option. This process employs a multicolor background with frequent changes in density. This makes the color impossible to duplicate. Watermarks are a type of security feature in which white ink is used to print the back of the check. The ink can only be seen using a black light thus the check is impossible to duplicate.

Other security features that can prevent check fraud include:

• Copy-void pantographs in which checks contain a series of dots on the backside. They are invisible to the naked eye but when photocopied or scanned, the word "VOID" will appear on the duplicate.
• Light-sensitive material known as fluorescent fibers can be used in check paper. These can only be seen in black light and they cannot be duplicated.
• Endorsement pantograph is a feature that prevents duplication of the check issuer's signature.
• Signature security is a feature in which there is a pantograph built in to the area surrounding the check's signature line. The pantograph interferes with scanners and copiers making it impossible to reproduce.
• Anti-fraud printing is a feature that uses MICR toner to create a stain to appear on any check that has been subjected to chemical tampering.

Learn more about secure check printing with MICR Toner and MICR Toner Cartridges by visiting the Inkcarts website.