Ignoring software security is a common problem, unless one comes under those 0.1 percent users who read End User License Agreement (EULA), also known as software license. Otherwise, you are signing contracts without looking, as the box full of technical mumbo-jumbo you receive and agree to, when you install a program, is a contract.
Software security would not have been such a big issue, if every software security service provided a simple agreement, explaining simple terms of use. Unfortunately, most of them are lengthy texts with legal gibberish, which leave most of us confused. Some terms enclosed within the contract are such, which ordinarily a user would not acknowledge, if he knew what he was agreeing to. For example, in order to provide protection against cracking, lot of software licenses are now giving software companies the right to accumulate information about you computer. After collection, the information is automatically sent to software marketers. Some software licenses, particularly licenses for freeware, have clauses that can make you agree to installation of added software, which you may not want. This results in people blaming the freeware for all the wrong things that have happened. But, the end user is to be equally blamed, as he did not read the legal material provided along with the product. Nonetheless, people still do not read the EULA. While downloading or installing software, we are in a hurry to understand and use the new software. This makes EULA just another thing to drop time on, as it cannot be read in a short amount of time. Hence, not being able to read it at all. The next thing which comes to mind is, when you clicked 'I Agree', what have you really agreed upon? Freeware poses an even bigger problem, as it is not always free. Surely, it is not possible to reverse engineer, redistribute or modify freeware, but, there is also a kind of freeware that is feigned as adware or spyware. Possibilities: One might think that there is little that can be done against a bad EULA or TOS. That is not entirely correct, as there have been cases where terms of services have been changed because of users not being comfortable with some flagrant terms used within the terms and conditions. For example, Facebook changed its TOS to the old one, when people started complaining about the term of use, which said Facebook will keep all rights to the user's content. The main idea behind software license building a legal defense against software piracy has long been omitted. You should be aware that a simple click on the mouse can create a good amount of trouble. Thus, there is only one advice to be given, do go through the EULA properly, as it does not apply only to freeware.
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The business world witnessed a number of data breaches in 2014. High profile brands such as Chang's, P.F, eBay, JP Morgan, AT & T, Home Depot and Target, all fell victim to cyber attacks, compromising customer information as well as the company's reputation. As these companies were established, they were able to recover from the breaches by mobilizing their resources. But, if a small business goes through a cyber attack, there is a good chance of it getting destroyed. A recent study has found that 60 percent of small businesses that go through a cyber attack, close down in less than six months. Hackers are targeting businesses at an alarming rate, therefore, all organizations should make cyber security one of their top priorities in 2015. Following cyber security resolutions for the New Year can help small business owners in keeping their crucial information safe. Security System Testing Businesses are being warned by security experts, considering the growing number of cyber attacks, that there is a good chance of them getting targeted by hackers at some point or the other. Testing the security of your system, especially after implementing a new technology or updating your software, is a good way of insuring security against cyber attacks. Mobile Application Security Along with protecting your company website, you need to safeguard your mobile application security as well. The app you've created for your customers, may not be as secure as you think. As per Asaph Schulman, Vice President Marketing at Checkmarx, a Web and mobile-app security solutions provider, "Mobile apps serve as a portal to your business' system as well as your customers' phones. Making sure your app is secured before releasing it to the public will keep you and your customers happy and safe. Don't assume that your Web developer will consider security as part of their brief, unless you insist on it." Inspect Your Vendor Vulnerabilities At some point of time every business is involved with third party vendors. You are exposed to third party risks by just being associated with such outside groups. One way of protecting yourself is by making sure that these companies also have security as their top priority. According to a statement by Tim Francis, Enterprise-Cyber lead at Travelers, "It is important that companies understand the data that is exchanged with vendors and whether those vendors have the right data security in place." A Budget Should Be Kept aside for Cyber security Cost-cutting in cyber security can have devastating effects for a company. Cyber insurance is also an important budgetary consideration. Insurance companies are a good resource in terms of expert consulting and information. Read more @ http://www.avyaan.com |