Anyone who uses a computer connected to the Internet is susceptible
to the threats that computer hackers and predators pose. These online
thieves typically use phishing scams, spam email or instant messages and
bogus Web sites to deliver dangerous malware to your computer and
compromise your computer security.
Email Phishing scams are carried out online by tech-savvy con artists
and identity theft criminals. They use spam, fake websites constructed
to look identical to real sites, email and instant messages to trick you
into divulging sensitive information, like bank account passwords and
credit card numbers. Once you take the phisher’s bait, they can use the
information to create fake accounts in your name, ruin your credit, and
steal your money or even your identity.
Here are 10 things you can do to prevent these cyber-criminals from infecting your computer with viruses, malware or spyware:
1. Windows Updates: It’s important for you to keep
your OS up to speed in order to minimize the possibility of having worms
or viruses compromise your system.
2. Software Updates: Make sure to get the latest fixes or
versions of your favorite applications in order to never let hackers
find the opportunity to infect your network and computer. Make sure that
your web browsers and other web-based programs are given good upgrades
or patches.
3. Anti-Virus Software: Running your machine without
an anti-virus software – especially if it’s regularly connected to the
Internet – is downright suicidal in these modern, computer-virus-ridden
times. Get one as soon as you can, and always confirm if its virus
definitions are regularly updated.
4. Anti-Spyware Software: Spyware remains to be a continuous threat to computer users everywhere.
5. Switch to Macintosh: Macs get a pass for the simple fact that they are not as commonly targeted as, Windows-based computers.
6. Hacker-Controlled Websites: Common sense dictates
that you should avoid going to bad neighborhoods, especially if you
carry a lot of valuables. Avoid getting snared by dubious sites
dedicated to porn, free downloads, online games, and so on; this way,
there are less chances for you to be hacked.
7. Firewall: If you don’t have a third-party
firewall then it’s highly recommended for you to activate your Windows
firewall (available on all Windows versions from XP and up). Firewalls
help filter your traffic, and there are some products that even filter
both incoming and outgoing data streams.
8. Spam Email: Unsolicited messages should never be
opened, and that goes double for unsolicited messages with file
attachments. Fortunately, web-based email sites like Gmail have an extra
layer of protection integrated in them although it’s still not
recommended for you to overly rely on them. When in doubt, just delete
the message.
9. Data Backup: If you have critical data,
work-related documents, or personal files, then you must back them up as
often as possible, because you never know what will happen to your
computer. From viruses to system crashes, these sensitive bits of
information can be wiped clean from your hard drive in the blink of an
eye, so it’s best to always have a backup at hand.
10. Password Policies: The passwords you pick could
mean the difference between a breached computer and a safe computer. At
any rate, the most common recommendations when it comes to picking a
password include not using the same password on every one of your
accounts, using combinations of letters and numbers, and making sure
that your password is as arcane as possible without necessarily making
it too difficult for you to remember it.
Never give out your password to anyone.
There is no way of completely protecting yourself from computer
viruses but, if the above 10 measures are taken, the likelihood of a
virus infection on your network and computer will be greatly reduced.