Protecting Your Computer From Malware
It's probably safe to say that almost every organization and company in the United States uses the Internet and e-mail systems to do business
. And outside of work, even more people use the Internet to communicate with friends and family, to check the news, to communicate on social networks, and to do much more. But along with the benefits of convenience and access to information that the Internet provides, it also opens the door for viruses, identity theft, phishing scams, and other damaging intrusions caused by hackers.
Knowing how to protect yourself, your company, and your home from these computer intrusions can help keep your information, identity, and computers safe. And for employers worried about the security of their computer networks, sometimes educating your employees on computer safety skills is the best preventative measure to take. Security awareness training can go a long way in preventing many of these computer problems in the workplace, and the information presented can also be used to protect home and personal computers. Some of the topics covered in security awareness training may include the following:
Firewall
One of the most basic things people can do to protect their computers is to install a firewall and to keep that firewall turned on. As part of a computer network or system, a firewall essentially monitors traffic and communication on your computer. It blocks unauthorized access to your computer from outside parties while still allowing authorized communication. Specifically, firewalls help protect computers from hackers. Without firewall protection, hackers can more easily gain access to your computer and can steal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, and can even delete important information.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is designed to prevent and detect malicious software (also called malware). Antivirus software can also remove malware, including viruses, worms, trojan horses, adware, and spyware. It's important to remember that most malware is completely preventable. Hackers often search for easy targets when attempting to gain access to people's computers, and most malware is not advanced enough to override antivirus software. Having the right security software, and updating that software on a regular basis, can go a long when in deterring hackers from accessing your computer and protecting your computer from a variety of dangers.
Antispyware
Spyware is a specific type of malware that once installed on person's computer, collects information about the user without his or her knowledge. Keyloggers are a type of spyware usually installed on shared, public, or corporate computers in order to monitor other users without their knowledge. Essentially, people use spyware to "spy" on your activities, invading your privacy and potentially collecting secret or sensitive information. Further, spyware can also cause pop-up ads to appear on your web browser. When installing and upgrading antispyware technology, it is important that you use a reputable company or brand. Do your research and be wary of free, downloadable antispyware as many of these products are fake and may actually be spyware themselves.
Downloads
A lot of malware must be downloaded before it can affect your computer. Unfortunately, when many people download e-mail attachments or other files, they unwittingly download malware. This can be avoided, however, if you use caution and good judgment when deciding to download a file or program to your computer. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know, and be wary of opening forwarded e-mails, even if it comes from someone you know. Some e-mails with dangerous attachments can be forwarded to everyone in a person's address book without him or her knowing about it.
Turning Off Your Computer
Periodically turning of your computer not only keeps your computer functioning well, but it also keeps your computer safe from outside hackers. A hacker can rarely access your computer and its files when it is turned off. And if a hacker is in the process of attacking your computer, turning the computer off will effectively cut off the hacker's connection.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is an illegal activity that threatens computer security. Phishing is a process in which a person attempts to acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, credit card numbers, and passwords, by masquerading as a reputable and trustworthy entity online. Phishing scams frequently occur on social networking websites, auction sites, and online payment processors, and they are also common in e-mail and instant messaging systems. These scams can be elaborate, leading users to websites that look real. And it can take a great deal of skill to detect if the website is fake. Once on the website, users are usually prompted to enter in sensitive information to supposedly purchase a product or learn more information.
To see if a website or organization is legitimate, you can check the company out on the Better Business Bureau. You can also google the organization and see how many other websites link to it. If other reputable sites link to the site, chances are, it's safe. Fortunately, legislation is making greater strides in detecting and shutting down phishing scams, but people should still be wary when shopping online and stick with well-known, reputable organizations whenever possible.
There are a million ways a hacker could access your computer and steal information. Unfortunately, when this happens, the results can be disastrous, causing inconvenient troubles and costing a lot of money. Fortunately, there are several things a person can do to keep his or her computer, information, and identity safe from ill-meaning hackers. By following these tips and undergoing security awareness training, individuals, companies, and organizations can prevent hackers from stealing information and spreading malware and can keep their information safe.
by: Art Gib
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