It’s happened to almost all of us.
You’re happily browsing the Internet, reading the news, checking status updates on Facebook, or playing a game. Suddenly a window pops up on your screen. Sometimes it’s a warning telling you that your computer is badly infected. Other times, it’s a series of pop-ups with pornographic content.
No matter what you do, those windows just will not go away. Frustrated and desperate, you shut the computer off, wait a few minutes, and turn it back on. But it’s still there.
Virus and malware infections are increasing rapidly. We’re faced with many of the same questions every day by concerned clients wanting to know how they can avoid this from happening to them. In this week’s blog, I will answer four common questions, providing you the truth about viruses – and how to (hopefully) avoid them.
Where do viruses come from?
Behind every virus and malware is a computer programmer – someone who writes software that will run on a computer.
There are many reasons why people create viruses. For some, it’s the thrill. Others may be proving their skills to fellow programmers. However, the most common reason today is to steal your personal information for financial gain or use your computer for other illegal purposes.
What do viruses do?
I think we can all agree that viruses cause major frustration and headaches!
Beyond that, viruses and other types of malware can be programmed to do different things. Some just annoy you with a bunch of pop-ups. Others can delete or corrupt your files. Some can even render your computer useless – where it won’t turn on or boot into Windows.
Most spyware infections load your computer up with browser toolbars and other unnecessary programs. They can silently record your keystrokes to steal passwords, credit card and other financial information. Sometimes they will even change your browser home pages and search tools.
A particular type of virus – a Trojan horse – may not noticeably do anything. But unaware to you, your computer and Internet connection are being used to send out spam e-mails or serve other evil purposes.
The most prevalent type of attack today is seen with “scareware.” Blogger Dustin Rowland defines scareware as: “A relatively new type of attack, where a user is tricked into downloading what appears to be an antivirus application, which then proceeds to tell you that your PC is infected with hundreds of viruses, and can only be cleaned if you pay for a full license. Of course, these scareware applications are nothing more than malware that hold your PC hostage until you pay the ransom—in most cases, you can’t uninstall them or even use the PC.”
Why did I get infected even though I have an antivirus program?
Antivirus software is a primary defense against infection. But it is not the be-all, end-all.
First, antivirus software is like a vaccination – it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t contract some sort of infection, but having it does provide a defense in the event it does occur.
Second, all antivirus software programs are NOT created equal. Many people use free antivirus software, such as AVG. Others use well-known name-brand programs, such as Norton or McAfee. Unfortunately, most of the computers we see in our shop with virus infections use these programs as their antivirus protection.
Our job is to stay aware of which antivirus programs provide the best protection. Although a program like Norton has been an effective product in the past, it doesn’t mean it will always remain effective. Currently, it is not as good at protecting against viruses and other malware as it once was.
Finally, antivirus software cannot protect your computer when a user performs an action that allows a malicious program to run. It is very important to read every window carefully BEFORE clicking on anything that appears on your screen. If you’re not sure about something, stop! Call a computer professional and ask them before going any further. Or shut off your computer without clicking on anything.
It’s also wise to NOT click on links contained in e-mail messages or on Facebook pages. The text of the link may say one thing, but the link itself may send you to a virus-infected website. Your safest action is to open your Internet browser and manually type in the website address.
As an aside, you don’t have to go to “dirty” sites to become infected. Common thinking used to be that only porn and gambling sites were where your computer could contract a virus. That’s not the case anymore. Truth be told, porn sites are less virus-ridden than non-porn sites (see reference 1 below). (Be advised, I’m not advocating the visiting of porn sites.)
What can you do to protect your computers?
First, purchase and install an effective antivirus program. It is a primary defense against infection. If you’re unsure, call a trusted computer professional to get a recommendation.
Second, regularly update your antivirus software and perform daily scans of your computer.
Third, make sure the Windows firewall is enabled on your computer.
Fourth, develop safe Internet browsing habits. Delete suspicious emails; don’t open email attachments, especially from unknown senders; avoid clicking on links in emails and Facebook; only visit trusted websites.
Finally, if you have high-speed Internet access (such as cable or DSL), have a computer professional install and configure a router in your home or business, even if you only have one computer. The router will provide an extra layer of defense by providing a hardware firewall that keep your computer “hidden” from would-be hackers.
You should ask the computer expert to configure your router to use OpenDNS’s free DNS settings. This will provide you basic web content filtering and phishing protection – at no cost!
Just like it’s impossible to never catch a cold, no one can guarantee your computer will never become infected with a virus. But with a little bit of prevention and common sense, the risks can be greatly minimized. And if you do catch one, the damage can be minimal.
Reference 1: http://www.dailytech.com/Study+Porn+Sites+are+Safer+for+Your+Computer+Than+Normal+Sites/article18895.htm
