What's Changing in the World of Online Security?

Internet security is a big issue in both private and commercial circles. Businesses need to keep on top of the latest security threats to protect their data and the personal information of customers. Companies have been looking for new and innovative ways to bolster security. It's a forever changing world because the Internet is so young and there are still so many more solutions to be found.

The Reality of the Threat

Here's an interesting fact for you. Most viruses aren't actually trying to break into the data of big businesses. This is the media blowing things out of proportion. The majority of malicious viruses are attempting to break into personal accounts as individuals are generally less security conscious than organisations.

Businesses are more likely to pay for the best, whereas your next door neighbour Janet is more likely to settle on a free anti-virus system.

Sharing Data

One of the biggest advances in online security is adaptive security. Adaptive security involves sharing data to defend against attacks. It relies on the likes of 3Com and Compaq to function. The anti-virus accesses ISS (Internet Security Systems) to fight back against viruses. The principle behind adaptive security is decreasing the time it takes between detecting a threat and eliminating the threat.

In theory, since computers are constantly sharing data the global computing system is collectively working to guard against online assaults.

SSL Improvements

Whilst it doesn't yet exist, developers are proposing changes to the SSL system. SSL is what credit card companies use to process online payments securely. The major credit card companies have proposed replacing SSL with SET (Secure Electronic Transaction).

It might increase online shopping numbers because a lot of people won't shop online due to a lack of confidence in their anti-virus programs.

SET is a better defence against online threats and it stops online retailers from getting access to a customer's credit card details. SSL allows retailers to view the card information to ensure the card is valid. SET allows credit card companies to avoid releasing this information and personally reassure retailers of the card's validity.

It still allows retailers to charge their customers. All it means is they only get access to the information they genuinely need to complete the transaction.

Biometrics

Biometrics involves using biological data like fingerprints and iris scans. It's an expensive system to implement, though. Furthermore, the back-end of the system is open to manipulation which would cancel out the security benefits gained from introducing biological data checks in the first place.

The margin for error is simply too high to use biometrics on its own at this moment. Whilst it isn't the impenetrable security layer people want it to be, there's a high chance biometrics will replace many existing security methods in the next decade or two.