Hackers
at Home
As viruses and worms continue to attack businesses,
clearing out hard drives and shutting down Web sites,
people rarely worry about assaults on their personal
computers at home. According to a recent Wall Street
Journal, hackers are out there and without you
knowing are attacking your
computer daily.
Of
course, many people are completely unaware and that has
experts worried. The CERT Coordination Center, a group of
Carnegie Mellon University researchers who track and
investigate Internet hacking, recently issued a warning
about home PC vulnerability. “We have seen a marked
increase in intruders specifically targeting home
users,” the researchers said in a
bulletin.
What
this means is that consumers are at risk and need to
protect themselves. The best way to do this is by
installing a firewall—a piece of software that
watches over your computer’s communications with
the Net. If it sees something suspicious, it blocks and
records the attack. However, should there be any further
responsibility for making the Web a safer place? Most PC
manufacturers don't include firewall software. Neither do
most big Internet service providers. Even though most
recommend such protection, consumers have to get it on
their own.
And
they better take notice. With more home PCs being
connected by broadband connections such as cable modems
and DSL, vulnerability is rising. “Consumers are
more likely to leave these computers powered up to 24
hours a day,” the article states. “Their PCs
are more likely to be found when hackers look for
targets.”
The
hackers could be kids having some fun or criminals
looking for credit-card numbers and other data. Either
way, work isn't the only place you need to be
careful.
Blinded by
Magic
Although it seems like today's economy has spawned a
culture of job jumpers, it does not mean that action has
become the norm. In fact, individuals should think long
and hard before jumping ship. According to a recent
article appearing on CareerJournal.com, in many cases,
the best advice is to stop, think, and
stay.
The problem facing employees is what the
article terms “magical thinking.” In this
state, we believe things will happen simply because we
want them to. “Magical thinking leads us to
overreact to temporary discomforts or turn up the volume
on the mythical sirens of a new
career.”
So how can one recognize magical thinking
before it is too late? Remember that careers develop and
ripen over time. Even with new skills, experience is more
valuable than expertise. In addition, remember that
movies are fictional. Don't expect to leave a low-level
position on Friday and enter into an executive-level
position on Monday. It won't happen. Also, take your
financial situation into account. Are you willing to bet
the farm?
In order to “curb the urge,” the
article lays out a few simple steps. First, make sure you
balance emotion with reason. Analyzation never hurt
anyone. Second, conduct thorough research.
“Information is the enemy of impulse.” Third,
regularly test your standards with reality. As you move
through life, make sure your goals are still aligned with
your current state. And last, think ahead. Careful
planning and clear thinking will help you strategically
plan your future.
October 2001 News for a
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Issue Highlight —
A Day in the Life of a Fool
