Do you know how to prevent malware?
Malware (malicious software) is more prevalent today than ever before. There is a lot of software out there to protect you from it, but the primary key to securing your system is you. Educating yourself on the right habits to have while browsing the internet and reading emails is the best protection you can get. Always maintain a healthy amount of skepticism while using your computer, if you have the slightest doubt or hesitation about something, don’t click on it!
Quick tips:
- Only open an email attachment if it is something you are expecting and it is from somebody you know.
- Don’t click on links in emails. Especially if it appears to be from a bank, credit card or anything confirming billing information.
- If a website claims you have viruses, ignore it!
- Don’t download anything from a web site with no name (ie, something like http://123.456.78.90) or a centralized download site like download.com.
- Avoid anything on a site promising an Adobe Flash Player update, video plug-in for viewing the site’s content, video streaming apps, and utility apps (such as “cleaning” apps.)
- Stay away from anything on a site offering things like “free” movies, TV shows, music and the like. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.