Computer Virus
If you're worried about whether your computer is safe from intruders, you have good reason to be. A newly-discovered black market software program can give anyone access to any and all personal information stored in your computer.. Central Utah Correspondent Robert Walz tells us more.
When you log on to the world wide web you open the information door to the world. But what computer experts are just now discoveing, is that the traffic through that door can go both ways.
"There are all your passwords." It only took computer enthusiast Austin Long about two minutes to breach the security of my computer system and gain access to my personal files.
Long got in with the help of some computer software developed by an underground hacker group known as the "Cult of the Dead Cow." The program, called Back Orifice for Windows, allows anyone to gain access into your personal or business computer. It can be installed in your computer without your knowledge, hidden behind what's called a trojan horse.
Long says, "Back Orifice will install itself and then delete itself from your view, and you can check for it and it will say it is not here, but it really is."
Once infected with the virus, intruders can remotely control your computer as long as you are connected to the internet. This gives them access to crucial information entered into your p.c. Credit card and social security numbers, loan applications and personal documents.
Michael Simpson of Novell warns, "The security of a p.c. is more of an illusion than a reality." Simpson is the director of marketing at Novell. He says corporate espionage and terrorism are daily problems in the computer industry.
Most companies use encryption technology and store information in secure files. But most casual computer users are unaware of how easy it is for a stranger to access their confidential information.
"They get a lot of information about you that could be very dangerous, and the problem with this type of hack is you won't know about it until your bill comes," Simpson says.
The F.B.I. and the Secret Service are aware of the problem. Experts say hacking into large business computers is a very big problem, but most businesses don't like to discuss it publicly.
