According to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Carnegie-Mellon University, there has been a significant increase in the number of home computers being compromised. In many cases, these machines are then used by intruders to launch attacks against other organizations.

According to CERT, "Home users have generally been the least prepared to defend against attacks. Many home users do not keep their machines up to date with security patches and workarounds, do not run current anti-virus software, and do not exercise caution when handling email attachments. Intruders know this, and we have seen a marked increase in intruders specifically targeting home users who have cable modem and DSL connections."

To give users information about securing their home computers, CERT has produced "Home Network Security" and posted the document on the Web. The document answers questions about security, explains computer and network technology and tells readers what they can do to protect their systems. CERT encourages those who have a technical understanding of computers and cybersecurity to help family and friends who may not be as savvy and are therefore at greater risk of being a target of hackers.