What They Are: Malicious programs designed to replicate themselves and spread to other computers, typically attaching to legitimate software or files.
Effects: Can corrupt or delete data, slow down system performance, and cause software malfunctions.

2. Malware:

What It Is: Short for “malicious software,” malware encompasses a variety of harmful programs including viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware.
Effects: Can steal sensitive information, monitor user activity, display unwanted ads, and take control of the system.

3. Ransomware:

What It Is: A type of malware that encrypts a user’s data and demands payment (ransom) to restore access.
Effects: Can cause significant financial loss and data loss if backups are not available. Victims often face difficult choices about whether to pay the ransom or lose their data.

4. Identity Theft:

What It Is: The act of stealing someone’s personal information (such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or other personal data) to commit fraud or other crimes.
Effects: Can lead to financial loss, damage to credit scores, and legal issues for the victim. It often requires considerable time and effort to resolve.

5. Impersonations with AI:

What It Is: Using artificial intelligence, such as deepfake technology, to create realistic but fake images, videos, or voices to impersonate someone else.
Effects: Can be used for malicious purposes such as spreading false information, committing fraud, or damaging reputations. It poses a significant challenge in verifying the authenticity of digital content.

Understanding these threats is crucial for taking appropriate measures to protect your personal information and maintain your online security. This is not an exhaustive list, we will add to this on a regular basis.

BASIC SECURITY FOR SENIORS

Overview of current internet threats (viruses, ransomware, identity theft).