All netizens should learn more about cyber security (letter To Editor)
The Star (9 May 2012)

WHILE in the midst of a rendezvous with a programmer, I was intrigued at the sight of his broadband stick. We were in a Wi-Fi zone of a restaurant.

I asked why. He cited one core reason. He wants to show me something where a user password is required. He further elaborated that a Wi-Fi zone was a non-secure area.

Flashback. CyberSecurity Malaysia had warned against Internet banking in a Wi-Fi zone such as in a restaurant "Free Wi-Fi users warned" (Sunday Star, April 8).

The hacker may just be sitting at the next table. The hacker is hungry and waiting to steal another's user password given the opportunity. Our personal information is always on the favourite menu of hackers.

Better safe than sorry. Restaurants, saloons or any commercial outlets offering free Wi-Fi services should put up warning signs. I hope the Information Ministry will make it mandatory.

I surfed CyberSecurity Malaysia's website and found it to be a crucial resource bank. Among the information found were information security guiding principles, abuse statistics, e-Security bulletin, etc.

One can also find helpful tips on prevention of fraud, malicious software, network abuse, e-mail abuse, home user security, etc.

Almost everyone is a netizen, and every netizen should make time to learn more about cyber security. It's not just for Internet banking users.

Cyber space is one huge wilderness. One can get lost or get into trouble without a survival guide.

CyberSecurity Malaysia is actively acting as the compass.

I would like to thank CyberSecurity Malaysia for its great job in cyber security awareness. Lastly, I wish all netizens, happy and alert surfing.

EDWARD WONG,
Ipoh.