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No doubt, the biggest attack threat come from Internet today while your computer is online. This is totally different from what happened 10 years ago when you can be safe as long as you do not use virus affected floppy or copy virus affected files. So you are exposed to the attack threat while you are on Internet if you have not taken action to harden your computers. In order to take the right action, the first question most computer users ask is: What kind of attack threat I am facing while I am on Internet?
Our research shows the attacker intrude the victim in two modes, active mode and passive mode.
Active mode means the attacker select the target and launch the attack intentionally. This usually go through selecting and locating the target (IP address), finger printing the target, finding out the vulnerabilities of target, customizing or developing the exploit ion code, and finally launch the attack. The attacker usually do this kind of attack against high value target, like bank, e-commerce company.
Another mode, passive mode is that the attacker does not intentionally targeting specific target. Instead they propagating the malicious attacking code through email, web server or have the malicious code reproducing and propagating itself, like Blaster last year. This mode of attack affects almost every Internet users. Without your awareness, the malicious code can be injected into your computer system, modifying the security setting, opening a backdoor on your computer, and stealing information. Besides that, some companies also utilizing the OS and Application vulnerability to make Spy or Ad ware to mining your data or do advertisement. Some Spyware and Adware claims that they won't steal information from your computer, and no danger to you at all. Even Spyware or Adware do not steal information, the modification of security setting of your computer will make your computer vulnerable. Also they slow down your system information significantly.
So the passive mode attack cause more lose than the active mode. It also has wide affect too.