1. Make sure you
regularly run MANUAL scans with your installed security software!
Security Programs We
Recommend (Or Have Installed):
- Avast Antivirus, BitDefender Free, Microsoft Security Essentials
- MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- CCleaner
http://pnwcomputers.blogspot.com/2013/06/pnw-computers-links-and-recommended.html
Basic/General Scanning
Procedure:
- Before running
any scans with any of the installed security software, be sure to FULLY
update the software FIRST.
- After updating
the security software, perform the deepest and most thorough scan that the
software is capable of. This is usually labeled as a FULL or COMPLETE scan.
- DELETE or
QUARANTINE any and all of the security software’s findings.
- Make sure you
DON’T download and install any scanner/security software that solicits you
to download and install its software. These scanners are blacklisted
because of their questionable reputation.
2. Make sure your
Windows is ALWAYS up to date!
- An unpatched
Windows is vulnerable and even with the “best” Antivirus installed;
malware will find its way through.
So visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to download and install the latest updates. - Be sure to download and install all CRITICAL and SOFTWARE updates! You also may have to do several “passes” of Windows updates before all the available updates/patches are actually installed.
- Verify that your
version of Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 has the most recent service pack installed. If this is not currently installed on your system, the Windows Update
website will recognize this vulnerability and request you to download and
install any available Service Packs and other needed updats.
3. Stay away from
questionable sites.
- This is one of
the main causes why a computer gets infected. Visiting
cracksites/warezsites – and other questionable/illegal sites is ALWAYS a
risk. Even a single click on the site can be responsible for installing a
huge amount of malware. Don’t think: “I have a good Antivirus and Firewall
installed, they will protect me” – because that’s not true… there is no
“Magic Bullet”. Before you know it, your Antivirus and Firewall may
already be disabled because malware already found its way on your system.
4. Be careful with
email attachments!
- Malware spreads
via email as well, especially email attachments. The most common ones are emails
telling you that your computer is infected and that you can find the
removal tool in the attachment, emails telling you that your password has
changed and can find it in the attachment, emails with product codes in
the attachment from software that you purchased (which you didn’t), emails
with attachments that are so called “Security Updates”, etc. etc.
- Don’t trust any
emails like the ones listed above. Don’t even attempt to preview/open them
and delete them immediately instead! It may also happen you receive an
email from someone you know, but with a questionable attachment present
and strange content in the e-mail’s message. In this case, this person –
or someone else who has your address book in his/her address book – is
infected with malware (worm/spambot) and sends these emails without being
aware of it.
- Don’t click
links in emails from someone you don’t know, because these links can
redirect you to sites where malware gets downloaded and installed.
5. When surfing the
internet…
- Use Google Chrome or the FireFox
web browser as your MAIN internet browser. These browsers does not use
ActiveX controllers or BHO’s (these are programs that are a standard
feature’s of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and are “exploited”
vulnerabilities that hackers use to infect computers). If a specific
website (such as a financial institution website) may require Internet
Explorer to be used in order for you to view their site, then use Internet
Explorer. But for that specific website ONLY!
- Don’t click on
links inside pop-ups. ALWAYS close the windows via the "X" for the window vs. clicking "Cancel" or any other 'escapes' in the pop-up.
- Download
software off of the internet from websites you know and trust. A lot of
free software comes bundled with other software, including malware.
- Be careful when
you are viewing videos online. Especially when you get a pop-up asking you
to download a “Codec” to be able to watch the video. By default, your
media player should already have the necessary codec installed to watch
online videos. In the case that you’re prompted to install an additional
codec while trying to watch a move online (or downloaded), it is most
likely a false alert and this so-called codec may install malware.
- Don’t install
plug-ins (ActiveX) if you’re not certain what it is or why it is you need
it. (Unless you are attempting to perform Windows/Microsoft Updates).
- Glubble is a
great FireFox add-on if you want to manage the sites your kids are allowed
to see.
6. Watch what you
download!
- If you want to
install certain software, always go to the developer’s site to download the
software. Then you can be sure you’re downloading and installing the right
software. Be aware of the fact that certain software (especially freeware)
may contain/come bundled with extra software including spyware and/or
adware. So only install when you’re sure they are OK.
- The use of Torrent sites, Game Patches and Mods, Emulators; really anything "Free" is always a risk. Unless the download/host site is a reputable site, you can never be sure what you are exactly downloading. A file you are looking to download or have downloaded isn’t always what it’s made out to be.
If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Jon Pienkowski
Pacific NorthWest Computers
www.pnwcomputers.com
360-624-7379
Jon Pienkowski
Pacific NorthWest Computers
www.pnwcomputers.com
360-624-7379
