It seems that we are constantly experiencing viruses and costly repairs. Any tips for avoiding them in the first place?
-Bob S, Miller Place, NY
Viruses are an inescapable part of the Internet experience. Depending on the virus, the effect can range from amusing to devastating. When it comes to dealing with the hazards posed by viruses, prevention is much easier than a cure. The following tips will prevent most viruses from ever affecting your computer or computer system:
Install anti-virus software: No matter what operating system you use, it’s important to install, configure, and update anti-virus software. Make sure you purchase a program that protects against malware, phishing, and adware. One way to check if your anti-virus software is up-to-date is to open the Security Center in the Control Panel. New viruses come out every single day; an antivirus program that hasn’t been updated for several months will not provide much protection against current threats.
Install anti-spyware software: Install and utilize an effective spyware detection and removal program such as Malwarebytes AntiMalware. Run scans frequently and the best practice is to run it while the computer is in safe mode. Remember that MalwareBytes will not run automatically, so it is best to run it at least once a week.
Keep Windows up-to-date: As you probably know, Windows produces updates on a regular basis and most of these are to update the security of the operating system. Make sure your Windows updates are automatically updated. You can find Windows Update in the Security Center in the Control Panel. Choose “on” under Automatic Updates to enable automatic updates for every computer in your home, and you will always have the latest drivers, software updates, and security updates for your computer(s).
Use a limited account for daily activities: If you use the Internet at home, one of the easiest things you should do is make sure that you and your family use so-called “limited accounts” for daily computer tasks. In Windows, an administrative account is capable of installing software and changing anything about your computer’s configuration, while a limited account is prohibited from installing software. Using a limited account is of special benefit while surfing the Internet. Malware that is transmitted via your web browser will often try to install itself on your computer, which usually requires administrative access. If you use a limited account when surfing the web, it will be harder for that malware to install itself. It is best to create one account for administration. You can call it “Admin Account” and set a password for it. Then make all other user accounts on your computer limited. If somebody needs to install a program they can use the administrator account. Otherwise the limited account will be good enough to surf the web, do e-mail and run almost every Windows program.
Prevent your kids from downloading malware with Parental Controls: If you’re using Windows Vista or Windows 7, it’s easy to create, configure, and manage what your children do while at the computer with Parental Controls. Using Parental Controls you can set time limits, prevent your child from playing specific (or all) games, set limits for Internet use, and keep your child from running specific programs. You’ll need to create an account for your child first, and then apply Parental Controls. Using Parental Controls helps keep your network safe by not allowing your children to harm the computer with Internet downloads, games from companies you don’t trust, or malicious software.
Use a hardware router: Many types of malware try to infect your computer by attacking it remotely, using your Internet connection. A hardware router can help protect against such attacks. A hardware router is a device that sits between your DSL or cable modem (which was probably given to you by your Internet provider) and your computer. The job of a hardware router is to share your Internet connection to multiple computers in your home and using a separate hardware firewall is the easiest, most effective way to keep remote attackers from getting through your internet connection.
Beware of unexpected or unsolicited email attachments: Email is one of the primary ways to exchange information among Internet users, therefore it is also a key method for spreading viruses. A basic plain text email is unable to transmit most viruses. It is the attachment to the email that contains the potential hazard. If the attachment is unexpected or unsolicited and from an unknown sender, the wisest decision would be to delete the email without opening the attachment. If the email is from a known and trusted source, but you did not expect an attached file from that source, you may want to contact the sender to confirm that the attachment is legitimate.
Be careful what links you click on: Regard all links as potentially unsafe. Just because it looks as though your friend has posted something to your Facebook wall does not make it legitimate. Make sure the context is appropriate and that it sounds like something a friend of yours would say. If you are in doubt contact them through another channel to check it out.
Always backup your data: In a worst case scenario, a virus may corrupt or destroy your data files. Regular backups will allow you to recover more easily in the event that a virus damages your files. Business computers and personal computers hosting important information should be backed up daily. In addition, you are protected from the damage caused by blackouts, power surges and hard drive issues.
The above tips will help you to ensure that your online experience is a safe one. good luck, and remember that a little common sense goes a long way.
Avoid Viruses!
