Internet threats to end-users: Hunting easy prey
Steven Furnell · Network Security · 2005
Along with overt attacks against organizations and network infrastructure, we are now faced with an increasing range of Internet threats and scams that specifically target the end-user community. The underlying motives for these are typically mischief or money, and in both cases end-users can represent attractive targets, as their lack of technical knowledge, and occasional gullibility, can make them vulnerable to a variety of tricks. We are now faced with an increasing range of Internet threats and scams that specifically target the end-user community. It isn't easy for security professionals – who ‘live and breathe’ security threats – to get into the mind of the end-user. But a lack of technical knowledge, and in some cases gullibility, can make end-users vulnerable to a variety of tricks. While they may appreciate the existence of a general risk, it is questionable whether end-users as a whole really understand the nature of the threats, or the extent to which they are protected. So some may be left with feelings of unease, and the overall impression that cyberspace is not a safe place to be, while others may overestimate their protection and act in a way with endangers their organization. It is vital to make sure that users themselves do not undermine the attempts to protect them.