Edited by Javier Guerrero, March 2010
Some months ago I had the opportunity, in my free time and on my own behalf, to give an informal talk about malware to students at the secondary school where my children study.
The idea was to briefly summarize the main threats to which computer users are exposed every day (worms, Trojans, spyware, etc.), including a practical demonstration: infecting a computer using a contaminated pendrive, so the students would see how easily one can be affected by malware.
It was an interesting experience, although somewhat tiring (it’s not easy to keep the attention of 120 12 to 13-year-olds for more than an hour), and some interesting things came out of it:
- When I showed examples of screens displayed by worms that affect Messenger, many of the kids said “I see this message a lot in Messenger, and often just click OK”.
- Almost everybody there complained of continuous pop-ups, typical of adware.
- Many of them had fake antiviruses or rogueware on their systems.
- Very few of them saw anything wrong with opening emails from unknown senders, with subjects such as “look at my new photos”, etc.
It’s possible to draw several conclusions from this, but perhaps the most obvious, at least for me, is that although children have grown up with technology and computers and are comfortable using them, their awareness of the threat of malware is practically nil.
This may seem like an over-generalization, yet I believe it demonstrates the unquestionable fact that there is still much ignorance about IT security and malware among consumers, and particularly among adolescents.
Although initiatives such as the “Kids on the Web” campaign (sponsored by Panda Security) are a step in the right direction, it is evident that we need to continue working in this fashion to greatly improve awareness about malware.
Javier Guerrero works in Panda as a technical specialist and analyst/programmer. Since joining the company in 1998 he has taken part in numerous projects, almost always involved with kernel layer technology: the first Panda Platinum, Panda Security and Panda Security for Networks, firewall and TruPrevent technologies, file permanent protection, the shield or the Cloud AV interception layer. He is currently part of the interception unit and is responsible for the file and process interceptors in Cloud AV.
Javier Guerrero DĂaz
. R&D – Development
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard portfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.
7 comments
Great article, I am happy to see that panda is sponsoring “kids on the web” being a single father of 16 year old twins I am constantly going over things not to do with them while they are on the web. Sometimes I feel like it falls on deaf ears when I hear them yell to me “dad my computer wont work” help….
It’s sad that we have to educate and condition our youth to be a firewall, untrusting by default.
Even if everyone is raised that way, there will always be a level of naivetĂ© in adults combined with technological challenges that’ll make them vulnerable.
Unfortunately today, any caution adults do have is undervalued. The warnings of the very real crimeware epidemic seem ignored and brushed aside after a decade of infosec chicken little warnings that only lead to annoying mass mailing email worms and popup ads. I wonder how many years it’ll take for that to change, ultimately creating a market demand for security beyond a shiny sticker as a must?
Well said, IMO the reason is that kids dont take security seriously. May be lack of responsiblility at that age. Security comes with responsibility, may be this is the reason elder ones have more knowledge about Malware
Thanks to all of you for your comments. Here at Panda we take our kid’s online safety very seriously and will always be working on this issue.
I am just fifteen and I am very interesting about cyber-security and I can say that I rally learnt a lot from Panda Security.Thanks Panda..Keep it up!!
rally*really