I’ve been meaning to write this post for weeks addressing the issue of spyware & malware. In my job at work, we continue to see a growing number of computers that have become infected with these viruses, to the point where we have been asking the user’s to walk through a 12-step manual to clean it up themselves. I’ll post some links below, but this is not about cleaning up spyware necessarily, but rather preventing it in the first place.
Now before I get too far, my Mac Reader(s) is probably already mounting his response regarding the fact that this isn’t a problem on the Mac. While yes, for the most part I’d agree with them, I do agree with caution. Recently, Adobe Flash, announced vulnerabilities that weren’t specific to PC installations of Flash, but Mac as well. Mac’s aren’t Fort Knox, so proceed with caution.
I am going to go out on a limb here, and suggest that the following two steps could prevent 98% of spyware/virus infections. I don’t say that flippantly, but I do believe that spyware/malware infections say more about the security mindset of the user than it does about the computer. Here they are:
1. Browse safely and with a purpose
Spyware doesn’t infect you by searching for content on Google, rather most often Spyware gets installed when we get off the beaten path and start clicking links and ads outside of what we opened up our browser for in the first place. Being wise with our clicks is the number one way to prevent spyware. If the ad really seems so outrageous that you can’t believe it, then don’t click it to find out more unbelievable details.
One of the common instances of this I’ve been seeing is the “High School Video” on Facebook. No, your long lost friend doesn’t have a video of you from high school, so don’t go try to watch – it’s a trap. That’s how spyware works. It’s get’s your attention, and then it infects your computer.
While not recommended, the truth is that in between various operating system installations, there are times when I don’t run any sort of anti-virus/anti-spyware package at all. I believe that because I follow this principle, I can be just as safe I am with security software installed.
2. Know your security software’s warnings
Any computer should only have one (maybe two in some cases) type of security programs installed, and those programs will have their own set of warnings that it shows the user, whether it be for virus alerts, or program updates. You should know what these warnings and notifications look like.
A common way of getting innocent users to install spyware is to show them a generic pop-up saying “Warning, you have a Trojan Virus. Click here to remove it.” And because they aren’t aware of what these alerts should look like from the security software they do have installed, they click to remove it and that’s when the virus installs. You must know the difference between your software and a pop-up.
so what do I do now?
1) Make sure you have security software installed. Anti-Virus is essential on PC, and one with anti-spyware is nice too. And there’s enough of these free, that I never recommend paying for one unless a user just is to stubborn to follow the rules above. I recommend Avast or Microsoft’s new Security Essentials.
2) If you think you have spyware, then run a scan right a way. I really like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. It seems to do a very through job of scanning a cleaning up this stuff.
Hopefully this information will help keep you and your computer protected!
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