Computer Security and Malware Guide

Guide to keeping computers safe from malware and viruses.

It was reported that every year between 1996 and 2000, the number of corporations infected with at least one virus had doubled; in 2002 the number of known viruses had surpassed the 70,000 mark; and in 2004 it was estimated that over $55 billion dollars in damages had been caused by computer viruses and malware. Today the risk of infection and the potency of viruses and malware have increased significantly, and with every advance in malicious material, there needs to an increase in virus protection.

When it comes to virus protection, it is important to remember that updating frequently and having the right amount of protection is key. Whether you use expensive software, or basic free virus services, you must be sure to keep up to date, as many viruses seek vulnerabilities in your system.

This means that updating your virus protection is very important, as well as keeping up-to-date on all system updates, which often include new patches for weak points in your operating system. Other viruses – such as worms – move quickly, and may make it hard for anti-virus software by itself to be effective. To increase virus protection, you can add things such as firewalls, spyware shields and automatic updates to increase your security. It is also crucial to have the best real time protection antivirus software. to protect against drive-by infection while browsing the web.

Alongside malware and virus protection software, many operating systems and internet browsers have made strides in keeping your computer safe. You may notice that when opening a new website, or downloading a program, you get a prompt asking if it is ok for this foreign entity to be placed on your computer. In these instances, it is important that you take an active role and be certain that these programs and websites are safe; this can be accomplished by a quick search around the internet, and being certain to scan every new file that you download prior to opening it.

With all of the advances in malicious programming, virus protection may seem like a daunting task. However, with a bit of knowledge, and some quality programs, you can save yourself a good deal of trouble in the long run.

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