Experts this year report malicious software, or malware, can be found lurking on 90 percent of PCs used to surf the internet! That's epidemic proportions. So, odds are right now, you're sitting at a PC that is host to a malware infection that is stealthily working in the background, robbing your system's resources and performance for purposes other than your own... This article covers some do-it-yourself 'best practices' PCs users should follow to prevent malicious software infections.
PC disruptions from malware can run the gamut from unnoticeable to slower-than-normal performance, uncontrollable pop-ups or odd PC behavior, up to more severe problems such as disabling security measures, (leaving your PC vulnerable to more malware), unwarranted monitoring of your activity, even theft of personal information. Malware spreads most commonly through opening unsolicited email attachments and by downloads of all types of software programs, documents and multi-media files. Malware 'packaging' is more sophisticated than ever when propagated as 'rogue security software'-anti-virus or anti-malware software that appears to be legitimate but is in fact malware itself. Clicking 'I accept' on rogue security software offers is what 100 million PC users have done this year alone, according to computer security experts. Worse, one in ten of us gave personal information to pay for the malicious software download...
Bottom line: Malware is everywhere and You are your PC's best protection, at a time when ways of spreading malware, grow in sophistication and number. The best protection money can buy can be negated with one 'bad click' to download something on blind trust. Before you download, take a step back for a moment and check out the source of the software download. Don't be sucked into ANY unsolicited pop-up offer, regardless of how good it sounds, before qualifying its safety first. Especially check out any 'free' product offerings, particularly those that that sound 'too-good-to-be true', by doing a few Google searches on the title to qualify a source and the product. Some experts advise review of online forums to see if people are warning of product scams or questionable companies. Get the scoop on a software title before you download it.
So, how else to reign in 'enemy number one?' Although few do it, make a plan now for how you will get good, reliable information, when you need it. Because where malware is concerned, its not a question of 'if' but 'when' we'll get an infection, for most of us. Its all-to-easy to miscalculate and open an e-mailed attachment from a 'trusted source'-a friend, for example--only to learn later their system had been compromised by a malware infection. As my father always said, "You'll be fine in life--regardless of how much you know--if you know how to find the answers." Knowing where to go for PC help you can trust will keep you from spending too much to fix a problem or make matters worse during a panic. Help yourself further, by having all the information regarding your system, applications you run, and support phone numbers and email addresses in one place. Taking the time to do this will save you big time when throttled by events to get hasty help.
Sounds like a tall order? Why not let an expert advise you. Experts gather useful information and share it as a way of promoting their services. Most repairs can be made yourself, when you have good information on how to make them. It is easier than you think. Just register to receive a computer expert's newsletter and monitor it for the news you can use to protect your PC investment. Listen to an expert you are comfortable with and enact their advice. Online computer experts often promote themselves by giving away great information on best practices they recommend. For example, there are thousands of 'free' software tools available online, but not all are compatible or work well. Experts can direct you to those they trust, that are proven to work. Qualify an expert and learn from them-it can be money in the bank in time and repair savings, when trouble arises.
The following action items are important things every PC owner should be doing to reduce their exposure to malicious software:
1. Get a recommendation on proven 'free' or for-purchase anti-virus software 'suites' (that include a firewall) and run regular scans. Choose a software company that regularly updates their software and install the updates when released for 'near-real time' protection.
2. Get a recommendation on a separate, 'free' or for-purchase anti-malware software tool and run regular scans. Install updates when released.
3. Keep 'Windows' or other operating system software up to date with the latest security updates.
4. Don't tolerate slower PC performance or odd PC behavior. Malware infections are often the culprit and will cause greater damage over time if left unchecked. If it has been a couple weeks since your last malware scan, update the software by first and then reboot your PC in 'Safe Mode' to thoroughly scan for infections.
5. Don't open unsolicited emails or email attachments without qualifying to your satisfaction, the safety of the source.
6. Don't download software until you are certain the source is reputable and safe. Take down the URL of the manufacturer and check their website. Do Google searches on the software title. Review online forums talking about experiences with the product. A little legwork upfront to confirm the product's integrity and the safety of the download source, will save you big, in frustration, time and money down-the-line.
7. To be sure you are doing a thorough scan for malware infections, reboot your PC in 'Safe Mode' (on power up, repeatedly hit the F8 function key) so the OS prevents other applications from running at start up. This will allow the anti-malware software tool to more thoroughly analyze the PC's registry files and find deeply embedded malware rootkits that function to conceal the malicious software.
I'm not an expert--what I've shared here, I learned from Kim Burney's "DIY Computer Maintenance Guide", a super easy-to-follow reference and how-to guide to free software tools that keep your PC running smooth and fast. Click the link below to access a free excerpt covering her top recommendation for a proven and free anti-malware software tool you can use to clean off malware from your PC.
PC disruptions from malware can run the gamut from unnoticeable to slower-than-normal performance, uncontrollable pop-ups or odd PC behavior, up to more severe problems such as disabling security measures, (leaving your PC vulnerable to more malware), unwarranted monitoring of your activity, even theft of personal information. Malware spreads most commonly through opening unsolicited email attachments and by downloads of all types of software programs, documents and multi-media files. Malware 'packaging' is more sophisticated than ever when propagated as 'rogue security software'-anti-virus or anti-malware software that appears to be legitimate but is in fact malware itself. Clicking 'I accept' on rogue security software offers is what 100 million PC users have done this year alone, according to computer security experts. Worse, one in ten of us gave personal information to pay for the malicious software download...
Bottom line: Malware is everywhere and You are your PC's best protection, at a time when ways of spreading malware, grow in sophistication and number. The best protection money can buy can be negated with one 'bad click' to download something on blind trust. Before you download, take a step back for a moment and check out the source of the software download. Don't be sucked into ANY unsolicited pop-up offer, regardless of how good it sounds, before qualifying its safety first. Especially check out any 'free' product offerings, particularly those that that sound 'too-good-to-be true', by doing a few Google searches on the title to qualify a source and the product. Some experts advise review of online forums to see if people are warning of product scams or questionable companies. Get the scoop on a software title before you download it.
So, how else to reign in 'enemy number one?' Although few do it, make a plan now for how you will get good, reliable information, when you need it. Because where malware is concerned, its not a question of 'if' but 'when' we'll get an infection, for most of us. Its all-to-easy to miscalculate and open an e-mailed attachment from a 'trusted source'-a friend, for example--only to learn later their system had been compromised by a malware infection. As my father always said, "You'll be fine in life--regardless of how much you know--if you know how to find the answers." Knowing where to go for PC help you can trust will keep you from spending too much to fix a problem or make matters worse during a panic. Help yourself further, by having all the information regarding your system, applications you run, and support phone numbers and email addresses in one place. Taking the time to do this will save you big time when throttled by events to get hasty help.
Sounds like a tall order? Why not let an expert advise you. Experts gather useful information and share it as a way of promoting their services. Most repairs can be made yourself, when you have good information on how to make them. It is easier than you think. Just register to receive a computer expert's newsletter and monitor it for the news you can use to protect your PC investment. Listen to an expert you are comfortable with and enact their advice. Online computer experts often promote themselves by giving away great information on best practices they recommend. For example, there are thousands of 'free' software tools available online, but not all are compatible or work well. Experts can direct you to those they trust, that are proven to work. Qualify an expert and learn from them-it can be money in the bank in time and repair savings, when trouble arises.
The following action items are important things every PC owner should be doing to reduce their exposure to malicious software:
1. Get a recommendation on proven 'free' or for-purchase anti-virus software 'suites' (that include a firewall) and run regular scans. Choose a software company that regularly updates their software and install the updates when released for 'near-real time' protection.
2. Get a recommendation on a separate, 'free' or for-purchase anti-malware software tool and run regular scans. Install updates when released.
3. Keep 'Windows' or other operating system software up to date with the latest security updates.
4. Don't tolerate slower PC performance or odd PC behavior. Malware infections are often the culprit and will cause greater damage over time if left unchecked. If it has been a couple weeks since your last malware scan, update the software by first and then reboot your PC in 'Safe Mode' to thoroughly scan for infections.
5. Don't open unsolicited emails or email attachments without qualifying to your satisfaction, the safety of the source.
6. Don't download software until you are certain the source is reputable and safe. Take down the URL of the manufacturer and check their website. Do Google searches on the software title. Review online forums talking about experiences with the product. A little legwork upfront to confirm the product's integrity and the safety of the download source, will save you big, in frustration, time and money down-the-line.
7. To be sure you are doing a thorough scan for malware infections, reboot your PC in 'Safe Mode' (on power up, repeatedly hit the F8 function key) so the OS prevents other applications from running at start up. This will allow the anti-malware software tool to more thoroughly analyze the PC's registry files and find deeply embedded malware rootkits that function to conceal the malicious software.
I'm not an expert--what I've shared here, I learned from Kim Burney's "DIY Computer Maintenance Guide", a super easy-to-follow reference and how-to guide to free software tools that keep your PC running smooth and fast. Click the link below to access a free excerpt covering her top recommendation for a proven and free anti-malware software tool you can use to clean off malware from your PC.
Get instructions on a proven way to clean off malware from your PC by downloading a free excerpt from the "DIY Computer Maintenance Guide", by computer expert and author Kim Burney by clicking here: http://www.ZappingTheCrap.com
Christopher Wheeler is Editor-in-Chief at Attraction Center Publishing, an internet publisher and marketer of self-development and 'do-it-yourself' creative works.
Christopher Wheeler is Editor-in-Chief at Attraction Center Publishing, an internet publisher and marketer of self-development and 'do-it-yourself' creative works.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Wheeler
