What is Malware ?
Malware is an all encompassing term for any unwanted software that invades your computer and makes unwanted changes. Spyware, adware, and viruses are lumped in this group. There are some great products out there that will help you clean up some of these infections, but the real trick to running a clean computer is to avoid exposing yourself to them.
One of the main reasons people get infected in the first place is that they are not practicing Safe Internet. You practice Safe Internet when you educate yourself on how to properly use the Internet through the use of security tools and good practice. Knowing how you can get infected and what types of files and sites to avoid will be the most crucial step in keeping your computer malware free. The reality is that the majority of people who are infected with malware are ones who click on things they shouldn't be clicking on. Whether these things are files or sites it doesn't really matter. If something is out to get you, and you click on it, it most likely will. Below is a list of simple precautions to take to keep your computer clean and running securely.
1. If you receive an attachment from someone you do not know, DO NOT OPEN IT! Simple as that. Opening attachments from people you do not know is a very common method for viruses or worms to infect your computer.
2. If you receive an attachment and it ends with a .exe, .com, .bat, or .pif do not open the attachment unless you know for a fact that it is clean. For the casual computer user, you will almost never receive a valid attachment of this type.
3. If you receive an attachment from someone you know, and it looks suspicious, then it probably is. The email could be from someone you know infected with a malware that is trying to infect everyone in their address book.
4. If you are browsing the Internet and a popup appears saying that you are infected, ignore it!. These are scams that are being used to scare you into purchasing a piece of software. The best thing to do at this stage is
simply turn off your computer using the power botton on the front.
5. Another tactic to fool you on the web is when a site displays a popup that looks like a normal Windows message or alert. When you click on them, though, they instead bring you to another site that is trying to push a product on you. We suggest that you close these windows by clicking on the X instead of the OK button. Alternatively, you can check to see if it's a real alert by right-clicking on the window. If there is a menu that comes up saying Add to Favorites... you know it's a fake.
6. Do not go to adult sites. The fact is that a large amount of malware is pushed through these types of sites.
7. When using an Instant Messaging program be cautious about clicking on links people send to you. It is not uncommon for infections to send a message to everyone in the infected person's contact list that contains a link to an infection. Instead when you receive a message that contains a link, message back to the person asking if it is legit before you click on it.
8. Stay away from Warez and Crack sites! In addition to the obvious copyright issues, the downloads from these sites are typically overrun with infections.
9. Be careful of what you download off of web sites and Peer-2-Peer networks. Some sites disguise malware as legitimate software to trick you into installing them and Peer-2-Peer networks are crawling with it.
10. DO NOT INSTALL any software without first reading the End User License Agreement. Quite often there is hidden software in the installer.
11. Don't use file sharing applications. If Limewire, Bearshare, or Kazaa are in your program list you most likey have malware. There is simply no way to safely download with these programs because you can't trust the source.
12. If you get a message from your computer warning you that it is infected and you need to download "suchandsuch" software to remove the virus, don't do it. At this point you are already infected, downloading the fake virus remover will only make it worse. No legit software ever uses this tactic.
13. Avoid free downloads unless you are absolutely sure you can trust the source. Often these freebies are packaged with a good deal of malware, so be careful.
Most of the time good common sense will keep your computer safer than whatever virus protection you have installed. Start practicing safe web viewing and you will find you rarely have a problem with malware.
