FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Before you go online to shop, pay your bills, check your bank statement, or even send an e-mail... stop and consider this:
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More than 75,000 computer systems at 2,500 companies worldwide have been hacked. A Virginia security firm - Net Witness - says it could be one of the largest and most sophisticated cyber-attacks ever discovered.
It began late in 2008 and wasn't found out until last month.
The attack targeted everything from corporate information to e-mails, credit card and login information.
Hackers went after companies in the health and technology sectors... educational institutions, energy and financial firms, ten government agencies and Internet service providers.
It's very scary, when you consider some of these industries should know a thing or two about computer security.
It's believed the hackers got employees at these targeted companies to download infected software - or got them to open e-mails with infected attachments. From there, the attackers could commandeer the users' computers - stealing passwords to banking and social networking sites, which then helped them hack into other computer systems and on and on...
Experts say this attack points up that traditional security approaches just aren't working anymore.
Meanwhile news of this attack comes after it was revealed computer networks were compromised at Google and more than 30 other big companies.
Google says that attack originated in China.
I wonder how safe the computers that have to do with national security are?
Here’s my question to you: How confident are you that the Internet is a secure place to transact business?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
H. writes:
After working as a web designer and hosting websites for years on my own linux servers, I have very little confidence in the safety of the Internet. Regarding national security: I believe we're sitting ducks, and it's just a matter of time.
Jude writes:
The Internet was never a secure place to transact business. Even with all the anti-spy /anti-virus software out there, it’s no match for these hackers. I was a victim of online banking theft in which I lost money due to cyber-hackers. I no longer do online banking nor would I advise anybody to do so.
Santosh writes:
Financial transactions are always risky online, but we do not have a lot of choice. It is faster and easier. Not only that, but many financial and utility corporations have gone paperless and we have less chance to avoid the hackers.
Greg in Cincinnati, Ohio writes:
I am a computer network engineer and I can tell you first hand that the Internet is NOT a safe place to conduct any kind of personal business on. There are special programs out there, designed by convicted computer hackers, that will seek all of the personalized items that you include in bank statements and even tax forms that are sent to the IRS via e-mail. People who don’t think there are types of programs are very naive and are victims just waiting to have their identity stolen or even worse.
Mick writes:
The Internet is quite a safe place to transact business, if you continue using secured web sites. I am not concerned.
Hank writes:
Faced with the choice of risking my online transactions getting hacked and navigating down expressways filled with bad drivers and road rage, I'll stay home and log on.
Craig in Tampa writes:
Well, I just bought a new TV, Tivo, stereo and some nice rims for my ride. Thanks, Jack, for leaving your computer on.