Malware (or "malicious software") is a broad
term that describes intrusive software, It includes
viruses and spyware that can be unintentionally
installed on your computer, phone, or mobile device
without your consent. Malware can cause your device to
crash or worse, to steal your passwords, identity, bank
account information, and can be used to monitor and
control your online activity.
How to Prevent Malware on Your Phone, Computer or iPad
or Other Tablet
Scam artists try to trick people into clicking on links
that will download malware and spyware to their
computers, especially computers that don't use adequate
security software. To reduce your risk of downloading
unwanted malware and spyware:
- Have security software and keep it updated.
Most people think in terms of anti-virus and
anti-spywareware. But you also need firewall and
many packages include anti-spam, and-phishing, and
browser protection and even data backup services.
There are even good packages for free. See this page
for
recommended free security software. And set your
security software, internet browser, and operating
system (like Windows or Mac OS) to update
automatically.
See this page for how to set your systems to
auto-update.
- Don't click on links in emails!
Instead
of clicking on a link in an email, type the URL of
the site you want directly into your browser.
Criminals
send emails that appear to be from companies you
know and trust. The links may look legitimate, but
clicking on them could download malware or send you
to a spoof site designed to steal your personal
information. Often, you can hover over the link and
your email software will show the true link.
- Don’t
open attachments in emails unless you know who sent
it and what it is.
Opening
attachments, even in emails that appear to be from
friends or family,can install malware on your
computer. If you receive an email with an unexpected
attachment or link from someone you know, write or
call them to ask if they did send it, before you
open it!
- Download
and install software only from websites you know and
trust.
Downloading
free games, file-sharing programs, and customized
toolbars may sound appealing, but free software can
come with malware. Many security packages have
features to scan downloads for viruses and malware.See
this page.
- Minimize
unauthorized downloads.
Make sure your
browser security setting is high enough to detect
unauthorized downloads (called "drive-by downloads"). For Internet Explorer, for
example, use the "medium" setting at a minimum.
- Use a
pop-up blocker and don't click on any links within
pop-ups.
If you click on popups, you may install malware
on your computer. Close pop-up windows by clicking
on the "X" in the title bar. Again, most
security software packages include popup blockers.
- Don't buy software and products that
appear in spam emails and unexpected pop-up
messages
Especially watch out for ads that
claim to have scanned your computer and detected
malware. That's a tactic scammers use to spread
their malware.
- Talk
about safe computing with your kids.
In many families, it is the kids that infect the
household's computers! Tell
your kids that some online actions can put the
computer at risk: clicking on pop-ups, downloading
"free" games or programs, opening chain emails, or
posting personal information.
- Create separate profiles on pcs for each
family member
If more than one person uses the same poc, create a
separate profile for each person (this applies only
to Windows computers). This can limit the
effects of malware to that one instance.
- Back up
your data regularly.
Whether it's text
files or photos that are important to you, back up
any data that you'd want to keep in case your
computer crashes. There are online backup services
as well as inexpensive standalone hard drive
options.
See this page for how to automatically back up your
data, files, images and other information.
What to do - how to get rid of Malware
If
you suspect there is malware is on your computer, see
this page.