Data leakage, or a data breach, data spill or—euphemistically—unintentional information disclosure—is when business or government information that was supposed to be keep secret and secure leaks out to an untrusted party. Sometimes this occurs as a result of attempts—by “black hat” hackers who operate alone or by organized crime syndicates or even the government itself—to steal information by finding and taking advantage of weaknesses in the computer system; at other times it is the result of pure carelessness. Whatever the cause of the breach, the results are the same—personal or sensitive information is obtained by people who can then use it to commit identity theft and spend large sums of money on other people’s credit cards.

Veracode guide to prevent data leakage is crucial that businesses do everything that they can to prevent data leakage. Here, then, are five steps to do so.

1) Regulate staff and employee access to data

Companies should have Veracode review tool so enforce regulations in place that deal with who may use laptops and smartphones in the workplace and how they may install and remove CD ROM, USB ports and other devices.

2) Regulate the downloading of applications

When new applications are downloaded onto a computer, the risks of security compromise are increased. Therefore, companies should also strictly regulate what games, P2P software and VoIP applications can be downloaded, and these programs should also be subject to thorough testing before they are allowed in the computer system.

3) Use encryption

Not just any type of encryption should be used: Only file-level or full-disk software is effective against data breaches. Employees sometimes bring their work home with them—in such cases, they should be fully instructed on how to use the security system.

4) Control network access

A company should have rules on who gets to access its network, and how much access each one may have. To ensure better monitoring of network traffic, ethical hacking online, and managers should also divide it into segments, which can be locked down if they become insecure.

5) Install software

Software programs are available to help secure data. SurveilStar is one such program: It prevents data leakage from HTTP, web mail, emails, instant messaging and USB devices. The users can also manage access privileges and—if a leak does occur—trace it to its point of origin using http://www.veracode.com/security/vulnerability-scanning.

Even in this age of increased online security, there are certain websites that are more vulnerable to attacks than other sites. While most people assume that adult sites or sites offering illicit downloads of movies still in theaters are prime targets for cyber attacks, reports show that even sites most online users think are completely safe may be susceptible to attacks.

Social Networking Sites

Even though major social sites like Facebook and Twitter make an effort to protect their users, the sheer number of users makes these sites a prime target for a cyber attack. Social sites are especially appealing since they tend to contain personal details such as your name, location and other revealing details you probably don’t want anyone but your friends to see.

Retail Sites

Alright, maybe this one isn’t such a surprise. Retail sites are the target of about half of all online security attacks. While most major retail sites such as Amazon and eBay are relatively safe, hackers tend to go for any site where you enter your credit card number and other personal information. It’s a high-tech version of identity theft. The best way around this is to opt for retail sites that take payment through a third party site such as PayPal, which usually does a good job with security efforts using Veracode security tools.

Tech Sites

Tech sites usually do a good job at fending off cyber attacks. Yet, they remain a prime target for hackers seeking details on new technology or access to data that tech sites may have on various clients. This doesn’t just apply to the big guys like Apple and Sprint. Hackers pretty much know that the major sites are super protected so they tend to go after smaller tech businesses. With veracode analysis tools you can assess your vulnerability.

Search Engines

According to Barracuda Networks’ 2010 Annual Security Report, search engine malware jumped by more than 50 percent within a one year period. Even major search engines like Google and Yahoo don’t catch every single site embedded with bad things that infest your computer or smartphone when you click on them. The general rule of thumb is to avoid sites with a web address that seems odd. You also should avoid clicking on links to sites sent to you via email or text, unless you absolutely know they are safe.

A report by Veracode Software Security found that the most vulnerable websites are actually education or school sites. Surprisingly, the safest sites are banking and financial sites. Your best bet is avoid entering personal information online as much as possible and try to accumulate a list of your most visited sites without straying from it too often.

When it comes to organizing warehouses, it’s a necessary evil. You may not want to be bothered by it or may not like having to do inventory within the warehouse, but with the technology that is available in 2013, you can make it a lot easier for yourself.

Some organization is necessary with Camcode.com aisle marking sign becasue every row, every shelf has to have a particular item on it. When new stock comes into the warehouse, it is then placed in its proper home as opposed to just putting it anywhere. Inventory day is eventually going to roll around and you don’t want to spend the better half of the morning going up and down a dozen aisles before you find what you’re looking for.

Create a schematic to show where everything belongs. This can be created in a spreadsheet and then saved to the cloud. Why save it to the cloud? You want to give everyone access to the file without giving everyone a version to store on their computer. If someone makes a change to it, it should be saved online to avoid everyone having a different layout.

Labeling also needs to take place. Camcode indoor/outdoor label products can help for temperature control. Avoid a thermal label if the warehouse is heated because it could turn black on a hot day. Instead, focus on a weatherproof label system that can identify every row, every aisle and every space within the shelves to determine what goes where. This will make it easy for others to find items, even if they don’t have the master schematic.

Organizing a warehouse doesn’t have to be complicated. In 2013, there are more apps than ever for mobile devices. Many mobile devices have scanners, too. This makes it possible to create a barcode for every item that then coincides with a particular location in the warehouse. A simple scan to the item’s barcode will tell where the item is located.

Technology has come a long way and it needs to be harnessed in the right fashion. The days of paper on clipboards are gone. The days of going up and down aisles looking for things are gone. When you want to organize your warehouse once and for all, you can do it using the technology that you have access to. Once it’s set up, it will forever be set up, allowing you to maintain organization day in and day out. Camcode manufactures bar code labeling because once the warehouse is organized, you will see how the operation runs smoother, too.

Many people nowadays espouse the benefits of “ethical hacking.” This branch of hacking involves linux hacking tools from Veracode for breaking into computer systems for the purpose of testing them or creating problems for users who have malicious intentions by breaking into their systems and stopping their plans from moving forward. While these goals might be worthwhile, they should be called something else. Hacking cannot be considered ethical for several reasons.

Reason #1: The general public understands hacking to mean “gaining unauthorized access to a system.”

Anyone who breaks into a system without permission is doing something unethical, no matter how good his or her intentions are. Just as you wouldn’t call someone who breaks into a terrorist’s home to remove weapons an “ethical thief,” you shouldn’t call someone who breaks into a terrorist’s computer systems an “ethical hacker.”  Use a word that doesn’t, by definition, suggest illegal activity, to describe legal and appropriate action. The spoofing attack guide from Veracode can help stop these issues.

Reason #2: Hackers are not bound by laws.

A person hired by a government agency or private company to test and exploit weaknesses in a system is bound by certain laws; he or she may not do particular things that have not been authorized by the person hiring the tester. Hackers, on the other hand, are not beholden to any laws. They go into systems and modify data however they want. Thus, an ethical hacker would be someone who follows moral laws but is not beholden to any type of law. This makes no sense.

Reason #3: It’s questionable, at best, whether it is ever moral to break into someone else’s computer system.

There may be reasons why hacking is a viable means to an end, but there’s still the question of whether the ends justifies the means. If it isn’t moral to engage in hacking under any circumstances, then hacking by definition cannot be ethical.

Although people use the term “ethical hacker,” this term is really devoid of meaning because hacking is not, in most cases, an ethical activity at all. Furthermore, using this term confuses people and makes communication more difficult. “Ethical hacking” should be replaced by terms that more accurately convey what the person is doing in order to avoid this type of confusion. To prevent hacking on your PC visit http://www.veracode.com/security/web-security.

There is no greater threat to our network security than human error. Many breaches are a result of leaked passwords or antivirus programs not being properly maintained. But, there is one way to help eliminate human error and keep continuity in your network’s protection: Auto-Renewal

Not only does auto-renewal take you out of the security equation, but it can save you time and money too. Here are 5 great ways auto-renewal can help you:

Upfront cost savings

Many antivirus and malware programs will offer discounts for electing the auto-renewal feature. Some companies will discount their renewals if you elect the auto-payment feature.

Cost of damage done during lapse

If you don’t sign up for the auto-renewal services offered by your antivirus you run the risk of putting your network in danger. The lapse in time from when your antivirus is active to when you renew could be just the length of time it takes to infect your computer.

Often, you become dependent upon the threat detection offered by your malware program and you may become complacent on security issues. However, if your subscription has expired you may be inadvertently exposing your computer to malicious activity believing that your computer or network is still secure. Thousands of viruses, Trojans and other malware could be introduced in a single day without active security protection.

The destruction caused by a single intrusion can be unimaginable to you and your costumers.  Just imagine if the day your subscription ended was the same day the latest wide-spread worm was introduced to your system?

Advanced Persistent Threat Protection

Unbeknownst to you (thanks to your network security system) you may already be the target of an advanced persistent threat (APT). APT’s are, as their name implies, threats that are persistent in nature. Cybercriminals are now targeting enterprises, working to obtain specific information through a variety of highly sophisticated methods. If you are allow your antivirus programs to expire, you are

opening a wide door for a stealthy attack, from very aggressive criminals.

Allowing the permeation of an APT could cost you not only significant financial losses, but also the loss or destruction of vital information or intellectual property which could prove to be priceless.

Reduced time and money spent at the store

Utilizing virus auto-renewal programs keeps you out of the big box retailers that sell antivirus software. This works to your benefits in a variety of ways. You not only save the time it takes to travel and purchase the program, but undoubtedly it will save you from spending extra money on non-essential items at the store (unless of course you have great will power!)

If you’re renewing online, this isn’t as big of a benefit, but it still keeps you from having to take the time to search out the program

you want, register for the services and download the updates.

Reduced time scanning your system

If you allow your network security to expire, it would be wise to run a full system scan when you register with a new program. This will ensure that any threats that have been introduced can be detected and dealt with in the most appropriate way. And, as you may know, running a full system scan can take hours depending on the amount of files and drives that need to be scanned.

If you’re working on a network whose antivirus has expired, this could be quite the task to undertake to ensure that your systems are secure.

Additionally, if you locate any threats that have compromised any part of your system, the time to correct the damage could be significant.

If you’re not already signed for auto-renewal of your antivirus or network security program, you may want to consider doing it now. The process is simple. In most cases you can sign up online or you can contact the company’s customer service team to help you out. If you find that your current services don’t offer auto-renewal, you may want to consider a new provider.

Why wait until your computer is compromised to have optimal protection?

 

Author Bio:

Jennifer Thomas is an avid blogger for various tech blogs and companies, including NetQin.

How long has it been since you checked your email, social media pages, or text messages? For most people it has been within the past few minutes. In fact, most people have smartphones with them that allows them to check all of these items at once, never giving it a second thought. Technology is changing and we are changing along with it. Some people would find it nearly impossible to go without modern technology today. In fact, if asked most people would rather give up anything else, rather than to go without their cell phone or computer. Honestly, it could be a real challenge to pull technology away from most people. We depend on it for business and our everyday lives.

When children go to school the teacher used to assign books to read. Today, a child can download a book on their tablet computer and read away. If the tablet computer is not available, most books can be downloaded right to the home computer for the family to enjoy. Technology is a big part of people’s lives and once they have had a taste of it they are unwilling to give it up. We can watch movies on the internet, have caller id flash across our television screen, pay for our purchases with our phones, or order a pizza from our computers, could it be that we are addicted to modern technology?

The children of today are learning how to use these fancy gadgets to communicate and to also receive their education. Life was simpler before all the children had cell phones and computer devices, before the technological craze hit. Most ten year old children already have iPods, tablets, cellular phones and various other hand held gadgets to get them through the day. You have to ask yourself, what will they expect or where will society be with technology 10 years from now, 20 years from now?

Apple is one of the leaders in the technological frenzy. Lines go for miles when a new Apple product is about to be released. Regardless of price or inconvenience, dedicated followers will give up days at work or do whatever it takes to get the latest and greatest products. There have been stories of those who have even borrowed against their line of credit on their home just to have the newest Apple creation. Again, we have to ask ourselves what all of this technology has done to our society as a whole, what type of mental security will we be able to maintain with all of these devices in our lives.

While all the gadgets are spectacular, specialists warn that the sedentary lifestyles of today’s generation have caused an obesity epidemic. Our parents all tell the stories and we roll their yes. Our parents and their parents played outside and found things to do with their hands. They did not need to be entertained like today’s children. They knew that stopping for a drink meant drinking out of the garden hose. Children today watch television and would rather play on a computer or game system then get fresh air. Unfortunately, this technological craze is affecting the health of the future of our country. A sedentary lifestyle is not good for anyone, least of all children. There is plenty of time for sitting on a couch as one progress in age. What will the obesity epidemic be if we do not make changes to the way we use technology right now?

Let’s take a look at the corporate world rather than the household. Businesses are saying that their productivity is at all-time lows. This loss of productivity is costing companies millions of dollars. The employees are distracted. The average employee will surf the internet for at least an hour each day. This includes checking person emails, social media outlets and checking on bills or account balances. Companies have instituted rules and some have gone as far as to put blocks on internet sites. However, with today’s computer smart person, the blocks can easily be bypassed.

Whether we are looking at social media, the newest video games coming out, or the greatest laptop, technology is addicting. In general we all need a computer and things to do our jobs effetely, anything beyond that should be curtailed. When you go to the local park and five year olds are carrying cellular phones and 12 year olds have more technological experience than their parents, it may be time for us to reevaluate the technology we use each and every day and learn some boundaries.

 

image source: positive vision