Six Ways to Prevent Malware

Trojans: They can do a lot of damage, but are not self-replicating and require a user to download and execute them. Trojans usually disguise themselves as or hide inside useful software- tricking a user into letting them into the computer. They will often hide in your system for a period of time before activating to avoid detection. These can do anything from logging your keystrokes to get passwords (keyloggers), to mining information like social security and credit card numbers, to controlling your computer and peripherals (such as recording you via webcam and microphone.)

Worms: The main purpose of a worm is to duplicate itself. They mainly spread through email. This kind of program does the most damage when it replicates exponentially until it crashes email and web servers.

Spyware: Spyware programs are actually legal, and are included in a lot of shareware (programs that are available from the developers for free.) The advertisements in the programs give the developers a bit of income from the software, but the user doesn't have to pay for it. That is all well and good, but these advertising programs also set up on your computer and send your computer usage and browsing habits back to the advertising companies. Some people don't have an issue with this (it is supposed to be anonymous information) but if you like that sort of thing kept private you'll want to avoid programs that contain spyware.

Nobody wants this stuff, and if you have to pay for a professional virus removal, it can be expensive! Prevention is key. Read more to learn a few of the simplest ways to keep your computer safe, clean, and secure.

Make sure you have live protection running every time you are connected to the internet. Live protection antivirus programs have firewalls, website, file, program scanners, and alert you to potential danger and actively block malicious connection attempts. These programs range from very heavy duty, chunky, and expensive, like Norton Antivirus- to lighter programs that may not be as thorough, but are free and use less of your computer's processing power, such as Microsoft Security Essentials.

In addition to live protection, its good to keep an additional virus removal tool handy. Programs like Malwarebytes and rkill stop and remove most kinds of malware you'll get on your computer.

Rule number 5 in the Six Rules of Computer Ownership- This is not only for toolbars and addons (which make you more vulnerable to viruses) but also for links and attatchments send to you via email and social networking sites. For examples, see the Love Bug Virus, or Koobface.

Experts agree that the biggest threat to internet security is people themselves- because no matter how good your virus protection is, hackers can use Social Engineering to get you to download and open viruses, completely bypassing the need to actually "hack" your system.

While kids may be really tech savvy, they still often lack the world experience and awareness needed to spot social engineering in action and avoid it. They are more likely to be affected by peer pressure viruses that send infected links from friends' email addresses and social networking pages.

Kids and teens also like to download stuff- like free games, music, and software. The problem is that a lot of freeware comes from questionable sources and is often infected. Make sure you double check anything they try to install and download.

Limewire, The Pirate Bay- yeah it seems like a great way to get things you should be paying for- free. But anyone who wants to compromise your computer sees it as a great way to bypass all of your internet security by getting you to download viruses and trojans of your own accord. Just write some malicious code, wrap it up in free stuff and people jump all over it. When you're paying $170 to $200 for a virus removal- you might think it would have been more worth it to just buy the songs.

Though the days of the floppy disk are long gone, infections being transferred via portable data storage are still an issue. The recent virus affecting U.S. military drones is believed to have spread through infected hard drives used to transfer data from computer to computer within the base. You can take all of the other precautions listed above, but if someone plugs an infected hard drive or flash drive into your computer, you are at serious risk.

Spending time browsing Websites with illegal, pirated, or adult content is like spending time in a room full of people infected with the flu. It doesn't matter if you got a flu shot or not, you're probably going to get sick from overexposure.

If you believe your computer is infected with some kind of malware or your email is hacked, don't panic! Chances are it's not the end of the world. There are some serious damage control steps you can take before removing the virus or taking the computer to a repair center for a virus removal.

First, if it's an email hack, scan your computer for keyloggers. If you have any, remove them. Once you are certain the computer is free of keyloggers change your email password and make sure it's a secure one. That should clear up most email based infections. If that doesn't work you should contact your email provider.

If you're getting program popups that are "scanning" your computer, finding hundreds of infections, and then offering to sell you software, DON'T BUY! The rogue-ware on your computer is the virus itself, and is basically holding your computer for ransom. If you entered any payment information into one of these programs, if would be safe to contact your card company and alert them to the situation and cancel your card. These programs will often hold your credit card information for several months, and then charge you thousands of dollars out of the blue.

Be aware of your peripherals as well. Certain viruses and trojans can take control of your webcam and microphone -if you have them- and use them to record video or audio of you or the goings on of your household

If the virus protection you currently have is not able to detect and remove the infection from your computer, it's time to take it to a professional.