mr. ed wrote:
thanks for that info, GDetrailer. My older Toshiba will probably be due for replacement in a few years, anyway, and I may opt for an entirely different OS, such as ios or Chromebook. Who knows? :)
There are a lot of "risk adverse" folks (many on this forum) that believe that one must use only the newest supported OS, install every single update, newest drivers, ect to prevent the one in ten billion chance of a security flaw wreaking havoc on ones PC or network.
Security patches while they patch a specific known flaw, often end up creating new flaws or breaking functionality of the OS or software.
It is for that reason most IT groups in companies large enough to have a IT group will have their own Windows Update server, then set all of their PCs to use the companies update server.
Then when MS pushes a update, the IT group gets notification, then they will TEST that update on a virtual environment to see how the update works and if it causes issues with all approved company software BEFORE pushing that update to their company Win update server.
Its called QA..
Most security flaws however do not come from the OS or software, it comes from the operators firmware (brain). Yes, PEOPLE is the biggest security flaw.
In the IT world, it is known as "social engineering".
See
SOCIAL ENGENEERING (from Malwarebytes.com)
From link above..
"What is social engineering?
In computing, social engineering refers to the methods cybercriminals use to get victims to take some sort of questionable action, often involving a breach of security, the sending of money, or giving up private information. These actions tend to go against our better judgment and defy common sense. However, by manipulating our emotions—both good and bad—like anger, fear, and love, scammers can get us to stop thinking rationally and start acting on impulse without regard to what we’re actually doing.
To put it simply, if cybercriminals use malware and viruses to hack our computers, then social engineering is how they hack our minds.
Social engineering is always part of a larger con, taking advantage of the fact that the perpetrators and their victims never have to meet face to face. The main objective usually involves getting the victims to:
Give up usernames and passwords.
Install malware on their device.
Send money via electronic fund transfer, money order, or gift cards.
Authorize a malicious software plugin, extension, or third-party app.
Act as a money mule for the purpose of laundering and transferring illicit funds."Folks click on anything and believe anything without hesitation and that is the biggest issue.
Use a few simple rules like do not blindly click links in emails even it comes from what appears to be a legit source like family, friends or businesses. VERIFY via other means before clicking or agreeing to something.
Contact the source via a known phone number (not the one in the email), via a known email address (not the one in the email or replying directly from that email) or go directly to the known website for the company via your web browser (once again not clicking the link in the email).
The bad guys are smart, they often will get look alike web addresses that often just have one letter changed or a numeric number added. They can easily spoof and fake out emails to make it look like it came from someone you know..
As far as replacing your personal equipment goes, well if it is worn out (like broken screen on laptops), starts having hardware failures or the OS version does not support a browser of a high enough version to access websites or support new software/hardware you want to install then it is time to consider a newer machine.
How you go about replacing is a highly subjective matter, some go to MACs, some stay with Windows PCs, some to Android based items like a Chromebook.. Each one has plusses and negatives and some have limitations, but be aware that each choice slurps up huge amounts of your personal information and browsing habits now days.. Some choices much more of your personal life data is captured and used without your knowledge.. Your personal data is big business and often is the biggest driver that pushes MS, Apple and especially Google (Android and Chrome is Googles own baby) to push new OS versions.
