Cyber Threats And Why Should Be Concerned

The threat to everyone from hackers and cyber criminals is real and omnipresent, says John Mariotti. Small businesses need to take those threats seriously, and take precautions.

"Just a few months ago, the news was full of reports of WikiLeaks supporters, hackers from 'anonymous,' shutting down MasterCard’s website. Fang Binxing, the architect of China’s cyber-censorship system — the 'Great Firewall of China' — was driven off his mini-blog by thousands of Internet users. Does that tell you that cyber attacks are powerful forces?

The 'Stuxnet' worm that damaged Iran’s nuclear installations was a carefully crafted piece of espionage via a cyber attack by unknown perpetrators. Even Stieg Larssen’s wildly popular Swedish book series about 'The Girl'...'with the Dragon Tattoo,'… 'who Played with Fire'…, and …'who Kicked over the Hornets Nest,' features 'the girl' as an expert hacker. Cyber threats seem to be everywhere."