Sure, people who study computer science or electronic engineering may know of the layers but very few people can claim that they are an expert on every layer of the computer.

So, it is hard for even professionals to be able to tell when something is going on behind the scenes without our knowledge.

We try to search for clues that will let us know if anything is going on that we should know about.

But our best bet is to run an antivirus scanner on the machine and let it figure it out.

If you are someone who uses the computer a lot but is far from an expert, you might need to keep check of other aspects in your life that a hacker might be interested in.

One of these aspects is your financials and the best way to keep a tab on that is to make sure that your credit report is alright.

One of the biggest scams that happen to people when they are on the internet is that attackers will take their credit card numbers and sell them to a third party.

These people then use the cards to shop for items and then fence it to keep the money.

If it is a credit card that you rarely use, you might not know until the bill shows up.

Also, hackers will take your personal information and take out loans in your name.

This happens more often than people think and it is a good way to keep your credit score in a hole for a long time.

Credit Reports

To make sure that you are up to date and are not being taken advantage of, you must check your credit report at least twice a year.

There might be things on there that shouldn’t be and if you do not check it at least semi-annually then you are letting the perpetrators get away with it.

The longer that you let a charge go undisputed, the less likely the people will believe you when you try to plead your case.

If you wait long enough, you might have to take the battle to court and this is the last thing that you want to deal with, all because someone got hold of your information and used it to be a criminal.

Instead of your credit report becoming less important in the digital age, it has become more important.

It is used by employers before they hire you; it is also used by renters before they let you rent an apartment from them.

If you want to make sure that you will be able to continue to enjoy the benefits that a good credit report brings, then you must check it regularly.

You never know when someone has decided to target you.

Who am I talking about? I am referring to those who make spyware and load it on your computer.

Spyware is a dangerous type of program that is loaded on your PC usually without your knowledge. If you think you are not a victim, you are probably wrong, since spyware is estimated to be on 91 percent of computers. It is usually transmitted through some type of download, typically from a freeware site. The irony is, spyware is sometimes loaded onto your computer when you are actually trying to get rid of it. That is because the makers of spyware advertise a free spyware cleaner, but it is not FREE of spyware! That is how they make their money! They give up the profit on the software product, but gain it by essentially selling your information to a hacker.

Fortunately, there are a number of legitimate spyware removers out there that will safely get rid of these harmful intruders for a nominal fee. They offer a free scan at first, and then to remove the spyware, you will need to get the paid version. But like I said, it does not cost much, and it gives you piece of mind knowing someone is not hacking into your accounts.

Click here for a FREE spyware scan, plus a review of all the top spyware removers, including the best, XoftSpySE

A nightmare indeed, but federal authorities recently unraveled a scheme by a man using file sharing software to get into other user’s computer system. Gregory Thomas Kopiloff of Seattle, allegedly used P2P Software to steal the personally identifiable information of at least 83 people. Kopiloff stole $73,000 worth of merchandise using user’s personal data.

You probably have used or know someone that has used software like BearShare.com, Limewire.com, Kazaa.com, Soulseek.com, Fastrack.com. These type of software actually shares a particular folder on the hard drive of your computer with potentially thousands of users utilizing the software and that are part of this so-called “file-sharing network.” The users of this file sharing are in danger of having the computer hacker having access to sensitive data such as social security numbers, tax information, credit information and other personal information. With this type of software, a hacker can even have access to individuals personal digital pictures, music and all types of documents. According to the National Research Council, “Computers at Risk,” 1991, “The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow’s terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb. Can we stop this?

Monster.com was also hit by hackers not too long ago. 1.3 million monster.com users personal information were exploited. Later on, those same crooks that broke into Monster.com vault of personal data went on to hit USAJOBS.com, the federal government’s official job search site and stole over 150,000 user’s information. Credit Card companies have also been hit.

It’s time to secure your computer with your life. The luxury of the internet is a two edge sword. We can indulge ourselves in all the information that we want, explore the world with a few clicks of a button, communicate instantly and we can shop through all the multitudes of stores and hundreds and thousands of products. We are the ruler of our own internet kingdom!

But can we manage our internet castle, or does the evils of the outside world can control and destroy us. It’s a digital world, my friend. Billions of bits of information cross our little technological planet. From thieves, to child molesters and to your boss – we are more vulnerable now than 20 years ago. A sacrifice for all the goodies we can get from our “lovely” internet? Definitely.

Here’s a few simple things to do to avoid a fatal intrusion into your life:

1. Don’t have personal info stored in your computer. (easier said than done, most people have their whole lives inside that little box). But limiting such things, as social security numbers, tax info and identification numbers from your files can help tremendously.

2. Don’t file share. (Good luck on that one.) And don’t give out any personal information from an unsolicited email! Sadly, many people do this.

3. Always keep in mind that whatever you have in your computer, anyone can possibly get. For example, those special valentine pictures of your intimate other. It happens more than you think. A couple from Virginia had intimate pictures on their personal computer and were shocked to see those same pictures on the web on a adult website. Who would’ve’ known, huh?

4. Powerful Anti-hacking software. For example, The Nuker at www.stop-hackers.com is a super software that can stop hackers to get into your system. Best of all, it’s free to try.

5. Keep laptops out of prying eyes. Oh, yea -don’t lend out your computer to anyone! Let’s be stingy with this, you guys. Nothing personal.

Anti-hacking/Anti-spy ware is mandatory. But don’t rely on those fake software, you got to use a legitimate software. Remember 9 out of 10 pc’s are infected with spy ware or ad ware. Be wise. Your computer and your life depends on it!

To stop any type of hacking or for more information please review www.stop-hackers.com. With new hacking software and creepy crawlers all over the internet,you need a good anti-spyware product.

To fight back against identity theft, go to ftc.gov. Learn more. Be wise. If you want to know what real hackers are doing today then check out www.attrition.org. This is one of the places on the Internet where hackers “gloat” about their attacks on innocent individuals.