6 (easy) ways to ward off a ‘malware’ attack
You might have heard about the just-discovered “Kneber botnet” virus, which has gathered login credentials to online financial systems, social networking sites and email programs from infected computers. The info is then sent back to the hackers who sent it out. With this news, it’s a good idea to remember how to protect yourself.
While in this instance it’s primarily financial institutions and social networking servers that were hit, it’s still a good idea to review a few simple precautions to reduce your chances of your PC getting infected.
Or worse, sensitive data stolen from your PC.
Here are 6 tips that come to mind:
1. Use antispyware software and keep it up to date. You can find many free ones on the front page of Download.com. You’re more likely to get hit by spyware than a virus, so this is a must.
2. Run antivirus software and keep it up to date. Personally, I use Symantec Norton Internet Security, a suite of programs that covers off these first two points. There are free options, too.
3. Keep Windows up to date using Automatic Updates or by visiting Windows Update. The former scenario is easier as the operating system will download the important updates automatically.
4. Use a firewall or a router (which serves as a hardware firewall). This can serve as a defensive shield for your PC, and in some cases, prevent sensitive information leaving, too.
5. Use common sense when deciding to open email attachments. When in doubt, just delete the email altogether. If you use Microsoft Outlook, download and use the free SpamFighter, which does a great job segregating suspicious spam.
6. Change your password from time to time. It’s a good idea to change it up a couple of times a year in case there’s a security breach (say, at your financial institution) and a number of passwords are stolen.
So, which ones do you do? All or some of them? Have any other tips you’d like to share to protect your PC (and personal information)?
Good tips Marc, if I may there is another way to keep data safe and that is using an encryption program. Creating a virtual disk, a large empty folder into which you drag and drop sensitive data. Use an encryption program that uses pass phrases rather than passwords, which are too weak to withstand a direct attack. Personally, the best on the market is PGP (pgp.com). Optionally encrypting the hard drive is a good defence in combination with the above. Today’s encryption programs are extremely easy to use.
well best way to avoid hackers is to use linux or to tell those idiots that hacks other for fun only or to piss others that they can get arrested and its illegual what a waste of time to get other persons computer all mess up just for fun not even for money and how stupit those it gets they hack facebook and msn and other sites just to piss you off big time and invade your privacy ???where is the police ????nothing seems to stop those crazy persons from doing what they want even with the best protections a real hacker will hack you and more they put security for anything electronic the same day some hackers works to by pass and to get what they want for free and to piss others also and they get away with it im sick of this behavior in montreal quebec there is two mains provider to access internet than they control your uploads and downloads by making you pay if you go over the limits but all they really sell is an access to internet since not mutch sites are free anymore on internet and all these wireless modems get hack by those who can,t afford internet and the one that pays every extra downloads or uploads is the comsumers so who rules internet these days pretending to be all legual its every business that puts spywhares in pc and than some anti virus company tells you that there is a new virus out and you need to pay more to have the latest updates or to switch to another anti virus that has the cure etc.. this seem like a way to sell anti virus for sure , sony will say we dont encourage anyone to pirate movies but will sell you the dvd burner ???? no one is innocent on internet cause it is a major jungle full of trap and those who makes it with out problem are more than average users cause the rest are futur victimes on a wait so now you know dont be dumb and we should all join to stop all the abuse once and for all .
By the time I read all this, the virus will already have attacked my computer…
learn to spell and use punctuation please
All these are good ideas, but changing passwords is somewhat impractical– how do you remember which one to use, and how do you keep track of which ones are current? Most “web advisors” say not to write your password down– I don’t know about you, but my memory just isn’t what it used to be!!
Use a password manager like http://keepass.info/
Many will also integrate into your browser so you don’t have to fill in forms.
I use SplashData because it syncs all my passwords with my Windows Mobile smartphone. That way, I always have my passwords with me.
Try RoboForm – it’s a dream come true!
I have Norton Internet Security installed, will I still need to use the
Windows Update also. Thanx
Yes, and check regularly for those updates.
Never click on a link sent to you via email ~ take the time to enter the site address directly into your browser and, even then, go with caution.
I use Mailwasher to check all e-mails before downloading them. This way I see suspicious e-mails and delete them before they get to my computer and can do any harm.
Henry…I looked up Mailwasher free download,very impressive, my question now is “if I download this program would it interfere in any way with my installed 2010 Norton Internet Security or perhaps I may not need the extra protection while using this Norton product.
I recently experienced a nasty and intelligent virus in my computer called “Security tool” that was taking over my Microsoft and Windows programs in Nov.2009 while using the free “Avast” Internet Security. The free online program “Search & Destroy” weren’t able to destroy this virus neither.I had my computer gutted by a certified computer technician and now I feel distrusting and vulnerable. Thanx for your input.
Hi I use a Mac and everyone tells me not to use any security because it will likely just screw things up. However I’m always worried I should be doing more. Are there free security programs I should run now and then?
Get a Mac
A Mac is a virus.
The best way to stop virus besides a good antispyware is not to use/goto microsoft website or update. The one I got from microsoft crashed my desktop and now it is going to cost alot to get the virus out. Beware that this has infected and is still infecting alot of computers
I can recommend Sticky Password, which I use for years. It is also a form filler. It manages the passwords and accounts and also you can take it with you on USB.
http://www.stickypassword.com