At least that was the headline from a recent PC World article on, of all things, security secrets the bad guys don’t want you to know.

I’m not sure if anyone really knows what the bad guys want, other than your money, or someone’s money, but the article does provide a good refresher on some of the things you shouldn’t be doing when it comes to security, and whether the bad guys want you to or not.

Most of the advice was pretty predictable, like change your passwords often or don’t use fake anti-virus software.

One useful piece of advice focused on what are known as scripts. Not the kind that will make your next blockbuster movie, but essentially a piece of software that’s probably on your computer and can be exploited by hackers.

One of the most popular exploits, at least with the bad guys, is JavaScript. It’s used by almost every browser, and chances are it’s already turned on in your browser. JavaScript is supposed to make the internet experience more interesting and enjoyable but it can easily be exploited by hackers.

You can simply turn it off in your browser – in Firefox you’ll find it under Tools/Options/Content, and in Internet Explorer it’s under Tools/Internet Options/Programs/Manage Add-ons.

However, what the article failed to mention was the biggest security secret the bad guys don’t want you to know: User error. Much of your own security and safety is in your hands, and your vulnerability to scams, tricks, and exploits largely depends on how seriously you take security, how vigilant you are, and how determined you are not to make silly mistakes.

Take that bad guys, score one for the Vigilants!

RELATED STORY: Security Secrets the Bad Guys Don’t Want You to Know

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100719/tc_pcworld/securitysecretsthebadguysdontwantyoutoknow

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