6. Drive-by Downloads

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Cyber criminals are experts at finding cracks in popular software that they can exploit to spread malicious software to unsuspecting web surfers. Through these cracks or vulnerabilities, websites can insert programs that allow these digital dirtbags to take control of your computer without you even noticing. They can then browse through all of your files in search of personal information and also utilize your computer as a “zombie” that can be instructed to attack other computers on the internet by participating in a “distributed denial of service” or DDoS attack.