Wouldn't you know it! I got a new computer on the weekend and now I can't think of a single thing to write on it...The well has suddenly gone dry, so to speak.
I find it rather strange how attached I became to the old virus and malware infected word processor that I reluctantly traded in for an upgrade Lenovo "Think Centre" with all its bells and whistles. I am sure that this too shall pass, but it may take a day or two for me to make the adjustment.
Meantime, as a pump-primer and speaking of my old computer, I was totally shocked to learn that in a little more than a year's time I had unknowingly amassed more than 800 forms of malware...and here I thought that I was being particularly security conscious and careful of what I click on. I first became suspicious when I began receiving pop-ups when working online. Then came bogus emails from friends promoting all kinds of products and services (Viagra, health foods and exercise programs being some of the more popular). Eventually my identity was stolen and our online banking disastrously compromised, causing untold inconvenience. Ultimately the computer crashed and I could no longer gain access to my data. So don't think it can't happen to you because IT CAN.
Every time you click your cursor on a Facebook "shared" bit of wisdom, a clever expression from an anonymous source, or a video that sparks your curiosity, there is a 90 per cent chance you have added malware to your computer. We've all been exposed, no one escapes.
One of the straws that finally broke the camel's back may well have come early last week when I innocently and happily accepted a bogus Facebook friendship request from an old friend who (as it turned out) had been the victim of identity theft. I honestly do not know how they got my name in this case, but there you go...Once I accepted the request, they had me.
Malware, short for "malicious software," refers to a type of computer program designed to infect a legitimate user's computer and inflict harm on it in multiple ways. Malware can infect computers and devices in several ways and comes in a number of forms, just a few of which include viruses, worms, Trojans, spy ware and more. It's vital that all users know how to recognize and protect themselves from malware in all of its forms.
So what is malware? It comes in a bewildering variety of forms. Computer viruses are probably the most familiar type of malware — so named because they spread by making copies of themselves. Worms have a similar property. Other types of malware, such as spy ware, are named for what they do: In the case of spy ware, it transmits personal information, such as credit card numbers.
Now, the next logical questions are, "who is creating malware, and why?" The days when most malware was created by teenage pranksters are long gone. Malware today is largely designed by and for professional criminals.
These criminals may employ a variety of sophisticated tactics. In some cases, as technology site Public CIO notes, cyber criminals have even "locked up" computer data — making the information inaccessible — then demanded ransom from the users to get that data back.
But the main risk that cyber criminals pose to heavy computer users like me is stealing online banking information such as banking and credit card accounts and passwords. The criminal hackers who steal this information may then use it to drain your account or run up fraudulent credit card bills in your name. Or they may sell your account information on the black market, where this confidential information fetches a good price. In my case the perpetrator operated out of India of all places. At one point after the accounts had been blocked, he even contacted me by telephone posing as a bank security officer wanting more information in order to "help clear up the matter" for me. These people stop at nothing!
So now that leads to the biggest question of all: "How do I make sure my computer or network is malware-free?" The answer has two parts: Personal vigilance, and protective tools. (My new computer is now monitored 24/7 by an off-site professional security technician.)
As I say, one of the most popular ways to spread malware is by email, which may be disguised to look as if it is from a familiar company such as a bank, or what seems to be a personal email from a friend asking you to "check out this cool site." (I get at least two or three of these every day.) Never, never let your curiosity get the best of you and click on links accompanying any suspicious email messages. Trust you gut instinct on this.
Be wary also of emails that ask you to provide passwords. Personal vigilance is the first layer of protection against malware, but simply being careful is not enough. Because business security is not perfect, even downloads from legitimate sites can sometimes have malware attached. Which means that even the most prudent user is at risk, unless you take additional measures.
Malware security protection provides that second vital layer of protection for your computer or network. A robust antivirus software package is the primary component of technological defenses that every personal and business computer system should have.
Well-designed antivirus protection has several characteristics. It checks any newly downloaded program to ensure that it is malware-free. It periodically scans the computer to detect and defeat any malware that might have slipped through. It is regularly updated to recognize the latest threats.
Good antivirus protection can also recognize — and warn against — even previously unknown malware threats, based on technical features (such as attempting to "hide" on a computer) that are characteristic of malware. In addition, robust antivirus software detects and warns against suspicious websites, especially those that may be designed for "phishing" (a technique that tricks users into entering passwords or account numbers). So shop around. It is an absolute necessity if you want to continue participating in any form of social media.
If you regularly copy and share third party Facebook posts and free online snippets on any number of topics (motivational, political, religious, humorous, cute babies and animals) on your timeline, chances are you have already subjected your computer to large doses of malware and you will ultimately experience the ramifications at some point.
No protection is absolute, of course. But a combination of personal awareness and well-designed protective tools will make your computer as safe as it can be. Trust me, I've learned the hard way and in the future I will be extremely careful of what I chose to view on Facebook and Twitter. I will ere on the side of caution and, consequently, will not enjoy the online experience quite as much. Sad but true!
Don't say that I didn't alert you, my friend!
As I say, one of the most popular ways to spread malware is by email, which may be disguised to look as if it is from a familiar company such as a bank, or what seems to be a personal email from a friend asking you to "check out this cool site." (I get at least two or three of these every day.) Never, never let your curiosity get the best of you and click on links accompanying any suspicious email messages. Trust you gut instinct on this.
Be wary also of emails that ask you to provide passwords. Personal vigilance is the first layer of protection against malware, but simply being careful is not enough. Because business security is not perfect, even downloads from legitimate sites can sometimes have malware attached. Which means that even the most prudent user is at risk, unless you take additional measures.
Malware security protection provides that second vital layer of protection for your computer or network. A robust antivirus software package is the primary component of technological defenses that every personal and business computer system should have.
Well-designed antivirus protection has several characteristics. It checks any newly downloaded program to ensure that it is malware-free. It periodically scans the computer to detect and defeat any malware that might have slipped through. It is regularly updated to recognize the latest threats.
Good antivirus protection can also recognize — and warn against — even previously unknown malware threats, based on technical features (such as attempting to "hide" on a computer) that are characteristic of malware. In addition, robust antivirus software detects and warns against suspicious websites, especially those that may be designed for "phishing" (a technique that tricks users into entering passwords or account numbers). So shop around. It is an absolute necessity if you want to continue participating in any form of social media.
If you regularly copy and share third party Facebook posts and free online snippets on any number of topics (motivational, political, religious, humorous, cute babies and animals) on your timeline, chances are you have already subjected your computer to large doses of malware and you will ultimately experience the ramifications at some point.
No protection is absolute, of course. But a combination of personal awareness and well-designed protective tools will make your computer as safe as it can be. Trust me, I've learned the hard way and in the future I will be extremely careful of what I chose to view on Facebook and Twitter. I will ere on the side of caution and, consequently, will not enjoy the online experience quite as much. Sad but true!
Don't say that I didn't alert you, my friend!
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