Attacks on computer networks from the Internet have dramatically increased in sophistication and frequency over the last year. These attacks are affecting all types of networks from a handful of users up to large corporations.

Many people believe that their IT system is not a computer hacker's target. This can be an expensive mistake. Even if you believe that the data you store on your network is not sufficiently sensitive to attract a hacker attack, most of the more common attacks occurring today use automated systems, roaming the Internet looking for vulnerable networks. These attacks can occur randomly so it's only a matter of time before any poorly protected system is hit. This will cost time, money and possibly lost data.

The occurrence of hostile email attachments, such as worms and viruses, tripled during the last year. In the early months of 2001, only one out of every 1,053 had a malicious attachment. Now that frequency has jumped to one out of every 325 emails according to IT industry analysts.

On top of that, one in three companies are hacked using a variety of methods, and according to industry statistics, a growing number of individuals are becoming victims. Web sites, corporate networks and home networks can all fall prey, and the problem is increasing. The complexity of security solutions can also cause problems. Many are complicated and time-intensive to configure and need a high degree of knowledge so that they are correctly installed and maintained.

Microsoft is constantly releasing security patches to its software, many of which are critical for the safe use of the Internet. These critical patches plug holes exploited by viruses and hackers. Recent national press stories have described how seriously Microsoft is taking these issues. Microsoft has recently suspended much of its new software development in order to concentrate on improving the security of its current products. Microsoft is not alone; many other software publishers are also taking radical steps to improve the security of their products.

- What is computer security?

Computer security is the process of preventing and detecting unauthorized use of your computer. Prevention measures help you to stop unauthorized users (also known as "intruders") from accessing any part of your computer system. Detection helps you to determine whether or not someone attempted to break into your system, if they were successful, and what they may have done.

· Why should I care about computer security?

We use computers for everything from banking and investing to shopping and communicating with others through email or chat programs.  Although you may not consider your communications "top secret," you probably do not want strangers reading your email, using your computer to attack other systems, sending forged email from your computer, or examining personal information stored on your computer (such as financial statements).

- Who would want to break into my computer at home?

Intruders (also referred to as hackers, attackers, or crackers) may not care about your identity. Often they want to gain control of your computer so they can use it to launch attacks on other computer systems.

Having control of your computer gives them the ability to hide their true location as they launch attacks, often against high-profile computer systems such as government or financial systems. Even if you have a computer connected to the Internet only to play the latest games or to send email to friends and family, your computer may be a target.

Intruders may be able to watch all your actions on the computer, or cause damage to your computer by reformatting your hard drive or changing your data.