Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Information Technology 23
• Trojan horses;
• spyware;
• adware;
• scareware; and
• ransomware.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that websites put on the computer hard fi
disk drive when a user visits the websites. These are used to identify
users. Cookies are often used to prepare customized web pages for the
user. On many e-commerce sites, cookies are required to keep track of
items in the shopping cart. Many password-protected websites also
require cookies to keep the user logged in.
Phishing
Phishing is an attempt to get sensitive information by appearing as
a harmless request. For example, a user may be told he or she has won a
special prize or qualifi for a no-cost introductory offer. Some information fied
about a person that phishing scams commonly try to get includes:
• full name;
• employer’s name;
• address;
• phone number;
• year of birth;
• credit card number; and
• Social Security number.
Once this information is in the hands of the phishers, it may be used to
steal the person’s identity or otherwise commit fraud.
Data Vandalism
Data vandalism is the manipulation or destruction of data found in
cyberspace. It is unethical and can be illegal, as shown in Figure 1-18. For
example, a hacker may break into a school computer database and alter
grades.
Computer Hacking
Hacking is an activity by computer programmers to break into the
e-mails, websites, computer systems, and files of other computer users. fi
Hacking is often an unethical and illegal activity. However, there are
legitimate hackers as well. Many companies hire hackers to find faults in fi
their own computer systems. In this way, the faults can be fixed before fi
they are exploited.
FYI
A malware attack may
occur when the user
downloads seemingly
harmless data from the
Internet or transfers
fi les from a shared flash fi fl
drive.
FYI
Visit the consumer
information section of
the US Federal Trade
Commission website
(www.consumer.ftc.gov),
and search for “phone
scams” to fi nd more fi
information.