Semalt Expert Explains How To Avoid Malware Infections

Semalt Expert Explains How To Avoid Malware InfectionsThe internet has given us the opportunity to do a lot of things including getting information from any corner of the world. We have become increasingly curious, and sometimes our curiosity can lead us down very dark virtual alleys without our knowledge. Security analysts say that the biggest security risk to a user’s computer is the user. Often, it is our doing or not doing that get our devices infected with malware.

Ross Barber, the Customer Success Manager of Semalt, assures that it’s important to know what we are supposed to do and not do to avoid malware infection. Knowing how malware gets into a computer is the first step in the war against malware infection.

How does a computer get infected with malware?

1. When you visit an unknown siteHow does a computer get infected with malware

It’s unfortunate that most of the time you don’t know whether a website is infected before visiting it. The chance of anyone’s computer getting infected with viruses when they visit the site is almost equal. You can minimize the risk of clicking on a potentially risky website by refraining from clicking anything and everything that catches your attention. Often, malware spreaders will try their best to put something on the internet that will get as many people to the infected site.

2. Downloading files from untrusted sources

As sharing files has become the daily habit of almost any internet user, cyber criminals have found spreading malware through file downloading very effective. So, they attach malware files to videos, music, movies, or other software so that victims don’t know when the malicious file gets into the computer. It’s always wise to download files, whether media or application software, from well-known and trustworthy sources.

3. When you click popups

Popup messages may be of adverts or warning about a certain problem that your computer has. The “warning” popups are the most commonly used methods for Trojan attacks. The message will often contain some random instructions on how to solve the problem, but it is usually a way of tricking the user into allowing malware to infect his/her device. Just ignore such Popups whenever they appear.

When you click popups4. Opening email attachments before scanning them

Emails with attachments should be handled with care. If the email is from someone you don’t know, don’t even open the attachment. In fact, the best measure is to delete the email. And if it is from someone you know, but the attachment looks suspicious, don’t rush to download it. First, contact the person to confirm what the attachment is and if you download it, scan it with up-to-date anti-malware software before opening it.

5. Using a USB drive

When a USB stick is infected, it can spread malware to every computer it’s connected to. Some sticks are so badly infected that they can cause damage to your entire computer system instantly. To keep the computer and your files safe, only accept USB sticks from people you know and ALWAYS scan the stick before you open it.

Basic internet security measures

Here are two measures that should never be underestimated:

Installing virus/malware protection

This is probably considered a basic tip to keep emphasizing, but there are many computers, especially home computers, that operate without malware protection. If you want to keep your computer safe from malware infection, install virus/malware protection now. You can even install the free anti-virus software provided by reputable providers like Microsoft – though this isn’t the best option, it’s better than having no anti-malware protection at all.

Keep your system and anti-malware software updated

Maintaining your system and software is the other basic internet safety measure. Updating your operating system and applications regularly with the latest drivers, updates, and security patches ensures that the device is free from the majority of security threats.

Malware infection can be one of the most unfortunate things that can happen to your computer or other device. If it happens, let it never be due to your negligence. Ensure that you are always equipped with information about how to detect and avoid malware infection.