I appeared on WSOC-TV‘s Eyewitness News Monday at 5:00 and then again at 11:00. Apparently alocal website was hacked and defaced by a disgruntled former employee. I was interviewed to explain how this happens and how people can secure themselves.

This is a very serious issue. Last year, 2500 web sites were hacked everyday, and the problem is only growingworse. It is imperative that people get virus protection software such as the free AVGAnti-Virus from Grisoft and keep it updated, run a good personal firewall such as unless you’re absolutely sure the person sent it to you on purpose.ZoneAlarm or the one included with Windows XP Service Pack 2, and run Windows Update often (and configure it to automatically notify you when updates are available). Oh, and whatever you do, don’t open email attachments

Remember: the question is not, "Can they get in?" The question is, "How long will it take them?" Your computer is vulnerable; taking the abovesteps will hopefully make it so difficult to get in that the hacker will give up and go elsewhere looking for easier prey.