A personal computer, whether a desktop, or laptop, is vulnerable once you start exposing it to external elements.

In theory, if you unpacked your completely new computer, with a licensed, virginal operating system and licensed, virginal software applications; didn’t connect it to the internet; didn’t load any new software; and, never swapped files with a memory stick, your computer would remain clean. Viruses would not be a problem, because your computer would not have been exposed to any external influences at all.

But once you do any of the following: sign-up to the internet; download and swap files; download applications; or, stick a memory stick into your computer, then the likelihood of being on the wrong end of a dirty virus is quite high.

And the problem with an operating system with the complexity of Microsoft Windows XP, or Windows Vista, is that they are full of weaknesses (bugs) that can be exploited by hackers. Think of a massive shopping mall with a state-of–the-art alarm. You can’t get in. But if the guys who built the Mall forgot about a few doors which wouldn’t lock when the alarm system is on, then their exists a potential point of entry. And when the baddies walk around to try the doors and a few are unlocked, they will be in and create mayhem.

A Microsoft operating system consist of millions of lines of code. Mistakes inevitably happen and although the company spends months testing and testing, and then sending out pre-launch versions (Beta copies) to their favourite customers to test, the new operating system will get launched with mistakes (holes, or bugs), that can be exploited by hackers. These holes are known as bugs and once they are identified, hopefully by Microsoft engineers, or friends of theirs first, then the bug is fixed with a patch. This is the reason for Microsoft Updates, which are patches that fix the holes that have been discovered. If you don’t load these patches, or seek them out, then your computer is vulnerable to attack.

So, don’t take it personally. It’s not that you’ve been singled out for attack, or that you’re bad at housekeeping, it’s just that you’re using an operating system which is to some degree flawed. This is why many users are nervous about switching to the Vista operating system, as by now, XP has been tested to death and most holes have been patched. It’s basically secure, but Vista does still have issues and will for years yet.

Nor should you think that a dubious character is sat out there in cyber space identifying your computer and planning an attack. Most cyber crime is nowadays well organised and fully automated. Clever people find the holes, others design the ‘exploits’ which fill the holes and then usually sell them on to other people who operate bots, which crawl around the internet, trying to find their way into computer networks.

What’s so worrying about cyber crime is that it doesn’t take a lot of manpower. One hacker can find a hole, get another to exploit it and another to come along and attack the computer. And a few determined guys can eventually threaten millions of computers.

The good news is that there may be many evil hackers, but there are also numbers out there who are determined to keep your security safe.

The best thing to do is take their advice and protect yourself at all times.

Why Is My PC Vulnerable – Recap

• to stay clean, do not connect to outside world, or take precautions;
• operating systems full of bugs;
• don’t take it personally, it happens to most people;
• good guys, and bad guys out there.