Defend Against Viruses, Spyware, Adware
n this day and age, it is becoming increasingly easier to get a virus or malicious spyware on your computer. This can cause massive slowdown in day to day applications, and can even crash your hard drive. Here are ways to avoid these potential disasters.
With your email, block file types that have no relevance for you. For example, if you generally just get chain letters from family and text emails, you should block file types such as COM, CHM, BAT, etc. The question to ask is, why NOT filter them out? It can only help you.
Never open an .EXE file from an email. 99.9% of the time, it will be a virus, keylogger, trojan, or some other type of malicious backdoor software. Why? When would you or someone else ever need to email an .EXE file, which is the file type for programs? The only thing that pops into my head is virus — wouldn’t you agree?
Never open an .EXE file you’ve downloaded from the Web, unless you got it from a website that you absolutely trust. For example, there isn’t a high chance of getting a virus from an executive file hosted by and found on the front page or Files database of the Microsoft homepage. However, going to someone’s personal homepage and downloading a freeware version of Super Mario Bros. could net you a virus easily.
Stay up to date, and stay informed. These are the two most important phrases in personal security on the Web. Stay up to date by downloading the latest Windows updates, and keeping your firewall and antivirus programs up to date. Also, stay informed on the latest virus threats so you know what to watch out for. Don’t go out of your day to do it, but if you see on MSN.com an article on the latest worm virus through email attachments, give it a look!
Back up your data regularly. You’ll be happy to know that your Adobe Photoshop program, all your Microsoft Word files, and your Excel spreadsheets are safe and sound.
Don’t put passwords, credit card numbers, or private information in a text file on your desktop in a “hidden” folder. With a trojan, there is no such thing as a hidden folder. You may end up the victim of identity theft.
To be safe, just write down all this information on a sheet of paper and lock it up in a safety vault, or keep it in a place that is safe and recognizable only to you.
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