First National Bank`s Online Security Week is highlighting the fact that SA is facing an increasing threat of attacks from hackers and computer viruses on a global level, as the local online community grows.
Maxtor warns that emerging countries can no longer rely purely on anti-virus and anti-hacker software to protect them from data loss.
"In light of new developments in virus technology, it has become increasingly important for home users and businesses in developing states to ensure extra precautions are taken to protect against the loss of data," says Didier Trassaert, Maxtor regional VP for EMEA.
Trassaert says where advanced protection against hacking and viruses is not available, external storage devices can be used instead. In the event of an attack and loss of main data stores, backup data from external storage systems can be used to restore the loss.
Virus experts have warned that computer users should expect a number of virus headaches in 2005 considering the trends of 2004, which was the worst-ever year so far in terms of viruses, with 10 000 new viruses identified.
Justin Stanford, CEO of anti-virus vendor NOD32 South Africa, has warned that 2005 will see significant technical advances in viruses, with increasingly cunning methods of using technology and human psychology to propagate.
"Online security will remain an issue, particularly for developing states, as long as new virus and hacker technology threatens the security of data. It is therefore the responsibility of businesses and home users in these markets to take extra precautions to store valuable data," concludes Trassaert.
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