Semalt Unveils 5 Malware Protection Tips

Whichever name given to online criminals, may it be crackers or hackers, they are working extremely hard to scam users by creating new malware. But these hazards are old presentations masked as new. Therefore the presence of the right security and a little internet acumen will help deal with any digital threat.

Ryan Johnson, the Senior Sales Manager of Semalt Digital Services, elaborates on helpful ways to protect yourself from malware attacks.

Before indulging in ways to address these risks, it is wise to identify what these threats are in the first place. Before the early 2000s, the first malware wreaked havoc on Personal Computers and files but ever since the central motivation of the later malware has been profit. Online criminals now use it to gain access to a computer's processing power or a credit card's banking information. In worst case scenarios, the criminals may use this information to extort or harm businesses.

There are a few examples of malware. Spyware, for instance, slows down computers by tracking for advertising purposes. Rootkits, on the other hand, turns PCs into its host and use it to send illegal materials or join in attacks on websites. Another malware is Scareware. It replicates anti-virus software in the name of extortion. Ransomware too is a perpetrator of such extortion scams, but instead of replicating an anti-virus as Scareware does, it takes the files altogether and uses them as bargaining chips. Lastly, Keyloggers steal credit card information through close monitoring of the PC.

But the question on many people's minds is, how does malware invade a PC? Persons may install malware knowingly or unknowingly, and in either case, it only works after continuously running without deletion or shutting down. For it to be fixed and eventually become active, online criminals must know the kind of faults made by individuals to use these same mistakes to trick those who have never fallen into their trap.

Another common question is how people end up downloading malicious software. Some of it goes hand in hand with legitimate software thus clicking on messages whose sources one's not conversant with may induce the downloading of this.

It is not all gloom and doom when dealing with this sensitive issue. There are ways to protect from these attacks.

First, update and secure your Personal Computer.

The presence of credible software in your PC does not necessarily mean its security. This fact is also known to the software companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Apple who release dozens of updates every year. It is therefore advisable to ensure the continuous running of these updates in your applications to avoid infection. Also, running updated security like anti-virus, firewall, and spyware improve the chances of battling viruses.

Second, skepticism of error messages, attachments and pop-up windows is important in creating awareness to this problem.

Error messages that crop up when trying to close a page are such nuisances. Avoid clicking on them or quit the program altogether. In a case where the software had already begun to install itself, it is judicious to close promptly and start a security scan. As for pop-ups which are less detrimental as they are infuriating, current browsers have dealt with this difficulty. However, avoid clicking on them and use the same procedure as dealing with Windows error messages.

The opening of attachments from unknown or untrustworthy sources is unwise but if curiosity overwhelms reason, downloading it into a hard drive and scanning it with an updated Internet security before opening it is recommended.

Third, always inform mail software in case a spam is detected.

Also, discontinue spread of spam through friends on Facebook by informing them of such unfortunate behavior or simply end their friendship on Facebook.

Fourth, when installing new software, ensure you do a thorough research on it.

This installation could be done through Google or consulting with an Information Technology expert. Installing software without these precautions is comparable to inviting malware.

Finally, caution above everything else is the way to go.

Acting as one would in normal life situations where common sense prevails is the same way one should work when dealing with the Internet because when browsing, downloading and installing any item marked as 'free' from the Internet without Browsing protection will end up harming a PC and life.

In conclusion, malicious software results in loss of data, content, time and money.