Before I can discuss the applications that help prevent our personal computers from getting infected with many of the aforementioned forms of privacy invading software, I feel a need to discuss a few of the common means in which a computer user puts their online privacy at risk. Similarly, this section will also cover a few common methods that radically improve your chances of not becoming infected with malicious and privacy invading software. By becoming aware of how computers contract infections, we can take the appropriate measures to prevent this from occurring on our own machines. Without further ado, here’s how most computers end up becoming infected and how most computer savvy users are able to keep their computers infection free.
- Of all the invitations for trouble, failing to use a firewall has got to be number one. Refusing to install and manage a firewall is very much like leaving your car with the engine running and the doors open; you’re pretty much asking for something to go wrong. Apart from software monitoring tools and services, a firewall functions as your most basic line of defence against malicious software and hackers. Experienced computer users like yourself are usually well aware of the risks of not using a proper firewall, but you’d be surprised to know how many users neglect to install a firewall, despite the abundant media coverage on viruses, online scams, and spyware.
- Installing antispyware and antivirus software is equally important. Failing to do so will result in innumerable consequences, such as, but not limited to, reduced system performance, constant pop-ups, home-page hijacking, and even identity theft. Antivirus and antispyware applications are designed specifically to peruse the contents of your computer and detect, quarantine, and remove traces of the aforementioned malicious software. For the most part, antispyware and antivirus protection is used to manage infections, making sure our computers are not overwhelmed with resource hogging viruses and spyware. However, some programs, like Avast Antivirus, are set up to automatically scan files downloaded onto our computers. If these downloaded files come from the internet, instant message conversations, or emails, Avast will help keep your computer virus free by alerting you if the downloads contain “unwanted” surprises. Keep in mind that antivirus and antispyware protection is useless if the user refuses to run regular full-system scans. Due to the fact that many forms of malicious software often make it easier to contract additional infections, antispyware and antivirus applications help cut back and manage the quantity of infections on your computer. The most infected computer I have ever serviced had well over 5,000 infections and they had never installed a single antispyware application. Weekly scans would have not only reduced the number of infections from 5,000 to 15, they wouldn’t have noticed intense drops in system performance.
- Refusing to update your antivirus and antispyware programs is also asking for trouble. When one updates their antivirus and antispyware software, new definitions are installed. Definitions are files that consist of all the computer infections that the programs are able to detect and remove. By updating your definitions, you are enabling the scanning software to detect and treat a broader range of infections. Obviously, when someone refuses to update their definitions, they’re not protected against the latest threats.
- Downloading unknown files from questionable sites is one of easiest ways to accidentally acquire software that’ll invade your online privacy. In many cases, downloads from “adult” sites or free software sites will appear to be safe. Unfortunately, this is generally not so; malicious software is frequently tucked away inside the files you downloaded. As you can see, it’s easy to acquire privacy invading software without even knowing. Whether or not these malicious files make themselves noticeable or not, it’s hard to say. Hidden deep within free software packages, one might find spyware, adware, viruses, and more. To make sure that we don’t put ourselves in a similar situation, we must exercise a little common sense. Make a habit not to download files from questionable sites; only download software directly from the source. For example, after browsing around you come across some poorly designed, rarely updated, webpage with a download for Firefox. Now, with a little common sense, you’ll realize this is probably a trap. By making the mistake to download Firefox, or any file for that matter, from any site besides the source, you’re putting your online privacy at risk. Furthermore, avoid downloading files with unusual file names. If you go to download Opera (from a third party site) and the file is called something like “lkjas342lksad.exe”, it would be in your best interest to cancel the download. Who knows what little surprises might have been hidden deep inside lkjas342lksad.exe.
- Warez, illegally downloaded or purchased copies of software, is another common method for distributing spyware and viruses. In the midst of breaking the law and getting great software and a fraction of the cost, people often overlook the fact that those who distribute warez also have alternative motives. Perhaps they are endorsed by advertising agencies or identity thieves and therefore they hide adware and key logging programs into the software they distribute. This one is simple to prevent by not getting involved with warez. Have a little self control and try not downloading $900 software for $40 from a warez site.
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