Computer Vandalism and Theft

Just a few months ago I noticed my computer acting strangely. Initially, my Internet Explorer would quit unexpectedly. Then my files weren’t opening. Before I knew it, my whole system was tied up, except for my Internet Explorer that would just randomly re-direct me to random sites.

This experience was particularly devastating because I work from home and rely on this computer for my income. My first feeling was victimization, but my second was complete anger. What type of pathetic, misdirected individual spends their creative energy making things difficult for other people?

While some of the viruses are malicious, and are in some sense are a form of computer terrorism, others are more like tagging or graffiti, simply a program that leaves a trail and recreates itself so as to leave a sort of marker. Regardless of intent, these all slow down your computer, and, in most cases, slow down you work.

Governments lose hundreds of millions of dollars each year to these computer vandals. It seems that one person’s need for attention is costing the taxpayer–us–way too much money! As with spam, this phenomenon is far too great an ordeal for an organization. It has to come from every person who has experienced these viruses or malware. Regardless of whether you shop online daily or never use the Internet, your information is online. Banks and government organizations have all your personally data, that is why it is up to the individual to crack down on these people that create these endless amounts of irritation.

Sarah Montrowl

(photo credit: vidiot)

April 9th, 2009 by Tech Girl | Posted in System Security | Comments (2035)