Four Essential Steps to Protect Against Malware

Malware – What exactly is it?

Malware is malicious software installed on your computer. Sometimes it’s a program you unwittingly install. Sometimes it’s a program that stealthily crept in while you visited another site, totally unaware of the dangers that lurked there. Malware can also be installed on your computer by hiding in an “innocent” looking e-mail from friend, family or your financial institution. It poses under someone else’s identity, and next it might be yours. It was put there to steal your personal information such as credit cards, bank account numbers, personal information and passwords.

1. Use apps

Malware enters your computer easier from programs that you download directly, rather than from apps you use while performing tasks. Web apps are separated from your computer’s code so they don’t interfere with other programs on our computers.

2. Keep your browser updated to protect against malware

An old outdated browser can’t protect you against new threats.  Technology changes daily, and some of the tricks used by these scam artists may remain the same, but others are entirely new. This is why it’s essential to keep updating your

protection to keep your work safe. An old browser may leave you vulnerable to malicious software and compromised security. Your password is not protected the same as it would be in a newer version – which is set up to safeguard you from the latest threats.  A new browser will also be more likely to alert you to potential danger when you make a wrong selection.

Some browsers will check for updates automatically and others will add security patches to protect your browsing. You may lose your plug-ins temporarily while newer software is being used to make sure you are safe, and then they will be restored to you.

3. A friendly site can become unfriendly

A newer version of your browser is programmed to be aware of the newest threats. Sometimes your old familiar watering ground is not what it once was. It can be hacked!  For example bloggers can find themselves victims of malware simply by posting a comment from an unfamiliar source, so bloggers should be careful to review and approve all comments from possible threats before posting, especially if the source is “Anonymous”. Links left by commenters can also carry threats as they may be from unsafe sites.

4. Keep your browsing private to protect against malware

Do your browsing using InPrivate Browsing. This feature will discard your information once you close the browser window. You take steps to protect your home from unwelcome guests and prying eyes by closing the curtains or drapes at the windows. You need also to take steps to keep unwelcome guests from picking up your online browsing history and invading your privacy.

Malware is difficult to remove once installed

Once this unwelcome guest gets their foot in the door, they hope to remain there. As they are busily compiling all of your personal data and accessing all your files, they are doing their best to destroy your computer. They don’t want you to be able to trace the damage back to them, so they’ll do anything to remain anonymous. Use these above steps and protect your computer against malware. It’s better to spend the time doing so before you’re hacked, because if you are, it may take a long time before other sites (and your readers) can trust you again.

Author Bio

This is a guest post from Alan Rita, she occasionally guest blogs for www.opendoorloan.co.uk, a site that helps you qualify for an instant loan.