Phishing e-mails have been the most frequent form of attack for years because it’s easy for cybercriminals to implement.

I’ve mentioned in other articles that it’s even easier now for cybercriminals with the assistance of AI. If you’re not careful, the effects of phishing scams can be detrimental to your business. How to stop phishing emails can be relatively difficult for those that are unprepared.

Let’s cover some insights and tips on how to be proactive against phishing emails.

The Dangers Associated with Phishing Attacks

You will encounter all sorts of issues should you become a victim of a phishing attack. But we’ll break it down to the 4 most common issues associated with phishing attacks.

Data Breaches

A data breach is one of the primary dangers of a phishing attack because it allows cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

When individuals fall victim to phishing attempts, often through deceptive emails, they may inadvertently share personal details, login credentials, or financial information about themselves or the company they work for.

This compromised data can be exploited for malicious purposes, including identity theft, financial fraud, or even ransomware. Additionally, the fallout can lead to significant reputational damage for organizations, loss of customer trust, and costly recovery once a breach occurs. Understanding and mitigating the risks associated with phishing is crucial for protecting both individual and organizational data integrity.

Financial Loss

When information gets shared inadvertently by victims of phishing attacks, often that information includes credit card details, bank account information, or other personal data. Cybercriminals can then use this information to conduct unauthorized transactions, or siphon funds out of an account, which can lead to substantial financial damage.

The results from such attacks can be devastating from the obvious financial theft, but also potential legal ramifications, and increased insurance premiums. All of which can further amplify the negative financial impact on the victim.     

This alone is a powerful reminder to be vigilant and informed about phishing threats.

Malware Infections

Many phishing attacks also bring other malware that will infect your computer and network.

This malware can take various forms, such as ransomware, spyware, or a nasty virus. Once a device is infected, the malware can spread to other systems within a network, leading to widespread damage, data breaches, and potential operational shutdowns.

So while you may recover from a possible phishing attack, if you ever become a victim, you also have to factor in what other malware came with that attack that needs to be remedied.

The SECURE Method To Identify Phishing Emails

Full transparency here, we didn’t create this method. However, I thought it was an excellent format to help explain how to identify and prevent phishing emails. The breakdown for the secure method is as follows:

S – Start With The Subject Line: What’s odd about the subject line? Do you see a bunch of FWD: FWD: as if it’s been forwarded a few times before it got to you? Subject lines like review immediately are also another red flag. Unless that email is coming from someone you know, and are probably expecting to hear from, then it’s safe to say you can stay away from subject lines similar to these.

E – Examine The Email Address: Do you recognize that email address? Does it look odd like it’s coming from some company you’ve never heard of before? If the email looks off and not from someone you know, discard that message.

C – Consider the Greeting: If the introduction is generic or unusual (i.e. Hello Ma’am/Sir, Dear Beloved, Attention…etc.), it’s best to discard that message. As a quick tip, you usually can see the message’s introduction without opening the email. The first line of the email will be displayed under the sender’s name, or next to the email’s subject, depending on the email service you’re using.

U – Unpack the Message: If you open the email, check the offer in that email. Is the urgency to click that link or download that software sound too good to be true?  It probably is.

R – Review the Errors: Are there several grammatical errors, misspellings, or things that are spelled oddly? Many times these messages are coming from individuals where English is not their first language, and it’s very evident in how they’re writing the message. The grammar is usually off.

E – Evaluate Links and Attachments: The best way to inspect a link is to hover over that link and inspect the URL to see where it will take you if you click that link. As for attachments, be careful not to open any attachments from someone you’re not expecting an email from.

This is a good formula that you can follow to stop a phishing attack from happening, and it’s relatively easy to follow.

Cybersecurity Services

In addition to being proactive in stopping phishing emails, it’s also a good idea to have a cybersecurity expert monitor your network to help eliminate e-mail spam BEFORE your employees make a mistake and inadvertently click on a link or download an attachment they weren’t supposed to.

We don’t want YOU to be the next victim of a phishing attack.

If you need help implementing a robust cybersecurity system or just want a second set of eyes to examine what you currently have in place, we can help. We can assess if there are any vulnerabilities, and make the needed recommendations you’ll need moving forward.

If you would like our assistance, call us at 571-498-8208, or click here to book a call with us.

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, so too do the methods used by cybercriminals to infiltrate our devices. That’s a reality we’re faced with, whether we like it or not.

From sneaky phishing emails to deceptive pop-up ads, the avenues through which computer viruses can infect our systems are numerous and constantly evolving. By arming yourself with knowledge about the inner workings of these digital pests and implementing effective preventative measures, you can navigate the online world with confidence and peace of mind.

Armed with information about anti-virus and how to prevent them from infecting your system, you’ll be well-equipped to safeguard your digital domain against malicious intruders.

So in this article, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to prevent computer viruses from infecting your computer.

Install a Reputable Antivirus Software

Installing reputable antivirus software is essential in safeguarding your system against cyber threats. When it comes to security and keeping your computer safe from potential viruses, this is where I always start, antivirus software.

It’s so important to install antivirus software BEFORE going on the internet that I believe it should be a prerequisite. Your computer should give an error message if it detects that there is no security software installed on your computer and you’re attempting to get on the internet. It should deny you internet access if there’s no security software on your computer. This doesn’t happen of course, but it should. 

Microsoft Windows does a pretty decent job by having a native security feature as part of the OS. Microsoft knows how important it is to have an antivirus of some kind installed on computers, so they started making it a part of their OS.

The reality is that if you don’t have any antivirus software installed on your computer, your computer will be infected with a virus or malware of some kind in a matter of days.

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to computer viruses. By choosing reliable antivirus software and keeping it updated regularly, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to an online attack. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and are working tirelessly on how they can find new ways to hack into your computer and steal your information. So prioritizing installing a trusted antivirus program is crucial for maintaining a secure computing environment.

As soon as you get a new computer, you ought to purchase antivirus software with it, that same day. There are several you can get online, and in some cases, computers come with trial versions of antivirus software. Which one to choose is not nearly as important as getting one installed.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—take proactive steps to protect your system with antivirus software.

Keep Your Operating System Updated

Keeping your operating system updated is crucial in preventing computer viruses and ensuring the security of your device. This is another proactive approach to keeping your computer secure. Keeping the same theme of prevention is better than cure, it’s always a good idea to keep your operating system updated. I know they can sometimes be a pain to install, as they have a tendency to alter some features of Windows after the updates take place. But the benefit of getting new updates installed on your computer regularly far outweighs the potential drawbacks, which happen more seldom than we would think.

If an update has changed things too much for your liking, you can always roll back the update to a prior time before the update was installed, using the System Restore feature. Windows automatically (or at least it should) creates restore points for purposes like this where an update or some changes were made to the OS that you would like to undo those changes. System restore is your undo button in Windows.

If the restore points aren’t created by Windows automatically, you can manually create them. This is how you manually create a restore point in Windows 10:

1. In the search bar next to the Start button, type Create a Restore Point.
2. Click on it, when it shows up in the search results.
3. The System Property window will open, with the System Protection tab selected.
   
4. At the bottom of this window, click on the “Create” button to start the process of creating a restore point. You will be brought to the following window.
   
5. Give the restore point a name that’s descriptive for you and click Create, and the process will begin by itself.
6. You will be given a message at the end stating that the restore point was created successfully.

If you’re of a visual person, here’s a video to demonstrate how to create a restore point in Windows 10.

Now that you have a restore point created, in the event you ever need to revert to that time after an update was installed that you didn’t like, you can always choose that restore point. You would get to it the same way as you did when you created the restore point. Just click System Restore in the System Properties window instead of the Create button. Follow the instructions on how to restore your computer and go from there.

When you neglect to update your OS, you leave yourself vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks that can compromise your sensitive information. By regularly installing updates, you can patch vulnerabilities and stay one step ahead of potential threats.

Moreover, staying current with software updates also enhances the performance and functionality of your computer. It’s important to set up automatic updates so that you don’t overlook them amid a busy schedule.

Be Cautious with Email Attachments

This is one of the easiest ways that users become victims of viruses and cyber-attacks. Cybercriminals use what is called phishing to get information out of victims, posing to be someone else they’re not.

That’s spam in a nutshell and most email applications are good at filtering out that stuff and sending it to the spam or junk folder. But there are a few that slip through the filtering cracks that you need to be careful with.

The reality is that we get junk mail every day from people trying to sell us stuff, most of which is stuff we’re not interested in. Phishing emails are similar to that of junk mail except that they have ulterior motives, and that’s to get information.

What I always tell people is to resist the temptation to click on or open any emails they’re not familiar with. If you don’t recognize the sender, then delete the email.

With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats and phishing scams, being vigilant about email attachments is essential to prevent a potential computer virus or malware infection.

Having an anti-virus software installed can help here as well.

Antivirus software can scan attachments for any potential threats before you open them, providing an extra layer of security. Which is what you want as it relates to phishing. Additionally, never hesitate to verify the legitimacy of an attachment by reaching out directly to the sender for confirmation. Taking a few extra moments to double-check can save you from falling victim to harmful cyber attacks.

By adopting these simple yet effective measures, you can greatly minimize the risk of falling prey to computer viruses and protect both yourself and your devices from harm. Stay mindful and stay safe!

From the infamous Melissa virus in 1999 to the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, these malicious programs have caused widespread damage and financial loss.  However, with advancements in cybersecurity and heightened awareness among users, one may question, are computer viruses still a thing.

In this article, we’re going to explore the current state of computer viruses and their impact on individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.  By examining recent trends, emerging threats, and preventive measures in place, we will determine whether computer viruses remain a significant concern or if they have become relics of the past.

Let’s find out.

What is a Computer Virus

In simple terms, a virus is a malicious program designed to replicate itself and infect computers without the user’s knowledge or consent.  These viruses can come in various forms, from harmless pranks to destructive attacks that can wipe out entire systems.

Just like a biological virus, a computer virus infects your computer system, causing harm and disrupting its normal functioning.  Computer viruses are created by hackers with the intention of gaining unauthorized access to personal information (your data), damaging files, or even taking control of your device.

As I mentioned before, viruses come in various forms and can be introduced into your system through infected emails, downloads from untrusted websites, or even when you connect your device to an infected external storage device.  Once a virus gets access to your systems, they start multiplying and infecting other files or programs on your computer without you being aware that any of it it is taking place.

Some viruses may lay dormant for weeks or months before triggering their harmful activities.  Protecting yourself against these threats is crucial in today’s highly interconnected world, which will be discussed later in this article.

Despite advancements in cybersecurity measures, computer viruses continue to pose significant risks.  Both on a personal and professional level.

The Evolution of Computer Virus

Computer viruses have come a long way since their humble beginnings, transforming from simple programs into sophisticated threats that can wreak havoc on our digital lives.

In the early days, computer viruses were relatively harmless, often created as experiments by curious programmers.

The idea of a computer virus came about in theory from a famous mathematician in the 1940s by the name of John von Neumann.  He published an article titled “Theory of Self-Reproducing Automa”, which was about the comparison of the human nervous system and the computer, and whether a code could cause a computer to stop operating.

This lent itself to early viruses such as The Creeper Program, The Rabbit Virus, and The Brain to be created.  All were created out of curiosity to see if a code could be created to self-replicate, and the different speeds it could do so.

These early viruses were much simpler compared to what hackers are creating these days.  

Once it was concluded that a code could self-replicate, programmers started creating viruses for more personal reasons like preventing others from illegally copying their software and other prevention mechanisms.

Virus infections back then were more on a local level where a floppy disk would get infected.  That infection would then get passed on to infect local files on the computer that floppy disk was loaded into.  That computer would then be considered out of commission until the user figured out how to get it fixed.

But as computer networks became larger and faster, connecting more computers together, hackers became more witty and sophisticated with the type of viruses they would create.  The LoveLetter Virus, for instance, is a more modern-day virus that spread via the Internet.

Created in 2000, The LoveLetter Virus depended on emails to go around and create havoc.  Its sole purpose was to wipe out all the files on a victim’s computer and create replicas of itself and also corrupted the contact list of the victim’s email account.

Years later, the Heartbleed Bug of 2014 targeted servers across the Internet.

At its core, Heartbleed exploited a flaw in OpenSSL.

OpenSSL is a commonly used encryption technology designed to protect sensitive data on websites.  This bug allowed hackers to potentially access usernames, passwords, credit card details, and other confidential information without leaving any trace behind.  The reason it garnered so much attention was because OpenSSL is widely used by popular websites and services which meant that millions of people were at risk.

There were many other smaller viruses over the years that operated similarly to the ones mentioned here, they just didn’t do as much damage.

Today’s viruses are designed to exploit vulnerabilities in our operating systems and applications, allowing hackers to gain unauthorized access to our personal information or even take control of our devices.  They can be delivered through email attachments, malicious websites, or infected downloads, making it easier than ever for them to infiltrate our systems undetected.

The Impact of Computer Viruses on Society

In today’s digital age, where technology plays a central role in our lives, computer viruses have had a significant impact on society, which should be of no surprise based on the information we have provided so far.

Computer viruses were created with the intention to disrupt computer systems, steal sensitive information, and take possession of our data.  As a result, individuals, businesses, and even governments have faced various challenges due to these cyber threats.

The first negative impact has been financial.  Computer viruses have caused financial losses for individuals and organizations alike.

From personal bank accounts being hacked to large corporations losing valuable data or intellectual property.  The damages of these attacks have been devastating, and have cost millions of dollars over many years.

Additionally, on an individual level, society has seen an increase in identity theft cases as hackers use viruses to gain unauthorized access to personal information such as credit card information, or social security numbers to steal someone’s information.

The second negative impact is that of our time and our level of productivity. 

Here’s what I mean.

When our computers become infected with a virus, or other malware they often slow down or crash altogether.  Leaving us with a subpar-performing computer to use.  Instead of spending time using the computer for what we needed it for, we’re now spending that time troubleshooting our computer.

The reality is that an infected system becomes sluggish, making simple tasks like opening files or browsing the internet frustratingly slow.

Not only is this a waste of valuable time, but it also leads to frustration and decreased motivation for work.  Eventually, your computer will start to experience frequent crashes due to the virus infection.  This can and does result in data loss or corruption of files (virus attaching itself to other files), which further hampers productivity.

Again, your time is being spent troubleshooting the issue and trying to recover data, instead of doing productive work.

Modern Day Cyber Security Measures

Given that viruses and malware have been creating so many issues for users alike in today’s interconnected world, cyber security has become more crucial than ever before.

With the increasing number of online threats and data breaches, it is essential to implement some proactive modern-day cyber security measures to safeguard your digital presence.  From individuals to organizations, everyone needs to be aware of the potential risks involved with being online and take proactive steps toward protecting themselves.

Here are some tips that we recommend.

Strong Password Management

Gone are the days when a simple password would suffice.  Nowadays, it is recommended to use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters for added complexity and security.  It is also recommended that you change your passwords at least once a year, even if it’s changing just a few characters in that password.

This makes it harder for hackers to figure out or guess what your password could be.

Two-Factor Authentication

Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security by requiring an additional verification step beyond just entering a password.  This could be something like receiving a text with a unique set of numbers or using an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator, or other authenticator apps and software.

Another important measure is keeping software and devices up-to-date with the latest patches and updates.

Anti-Virus Software

This is probably the first measure to take. 

Having an antivirus of any kind installed on your computer in my opinion should be a prerequisite to getting access to the Internet.  That’s how important it is to have an anti-virus installed on your computer.

Anti-virus software will act as a shield against viruses, malware, and any other malicious programs, in real-time, that proves to be detrimental to your computer and overall organization.  So get an anti-virus software installed on your computer today, if you don’t already have one.

Debating which anti-virus software is the best one to get, is beyond the scope of this article.  They all do a good job, so it’s best to get one and then upgrade to another, at a later time, if needed.  Recommended anti-virus software to start with is Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.

There are many more measures you can take to ensure cyber security.  However, these three will ensure you’re on solid ground.

Conclusion

So, are computer viruses still a thing?  Absolutely they are very much so a thing, and still wreaking havoc among computer users worldwide. 

In fact, it’s even more prevalent today, because of the vast computer network that we all love and use every day, the Internet.  The Internet today creates opportunities for everyone, both good and bad.  There are tons of opportunities that the Internet has provided for us to run businesses, be connected, and conduct all sorts of legal commerce.

It also provides a ton of opportunities for hackers as well.

The more sophisticated our online world becomes, the more sophisticated viruses and malware will become.  That’s just the nature of the online space, and that will always be the case.  Our best bet is to always be proactive in combating viruses and malware by preventing them from happening.

Following the tips provided in the Security Measures section above will keep you one step ahead of hackers, such as having viable anti-virus software installed.

Well in this article, that’s what we’re going to discover.

We will discuss the different aspects of computer cookies and determine whether or not they’re bad.  And if they are bad, just how bad are they, and what damage do they do to your computer?

So let’s dive in and learn more about computer cookies.

Computer Cookies – What Are They?

Computer cookies are small files that websites place on your computer to track your activity. 

They contain information such as your login credentials, browsing preferences, and browsing history.  Cookies are used by websites to personalize your experience and make the overall experience that you have with their site a pleasant one, each you visit.

Many people worry about the security implications of cookies.

While some cookies can be dangerous, most are harmless and serve a useful purpose.  Take, for instance, browsing preference.  Cookies can help websites remember your language preference or remember your log information, so you don’t have to enter that information every time you visit the site.  In some instances, some sites will keep you logged in, so every time you re-visit the site, you get right in, without having to log in.

That may not be the safest method from a security perspective, but it is in fact an option.

It’s important to be aware of how cookies work and what information they contain so you know how to interact with them on websites.

What Happens if You Accept Cookies?

Accepting cookies from most websites is fine to do, as long as you know that site to be a credible one.

Cookies won’t harm your computer or put your personal information at risk.  However, it’s important to understand what happens when you accept them.

First and foremost, accepting cookies allows websites to remember certain information about you, such as your username and password, and browsing preference.  In our definition of computer cookies above, we discussed how this benefits you as the user, making logging in faster and easier.

This question might be the very reason you are reading this article because you’re not sure if you should accept cookies that are being offered by websites.  I’m sure you’ve seen them used by websites, with the “This Website Uses Cookies” message, and it throws you off.

Should you accept or decline that message?

As I mentioned before, in most cases, it’s fine to do so, as long as you know that site is a credible one.  Another deciding factor, as to whether you should use a website’s cookie, is if it’s a site you know you will be visiting again, or visit regularly.

If you’re casually browsing and landed on a site that uses cookies, and only needed that site for a one-time use, then you can decline or deny that message.

It’s worth noting that not all cookies are created equal, some are more invasive than others and should be mentioned.

For example, third-party tracking cookies can be used by advertisers that place their cookies on someone else’s website, as a “third party”, in order to gather information about you, as a user.  These types of cookies follow you around the web and gather information about your online behavior.

Another type of cookie is the session cookie.  This can be compared to short-term memory for websites, like RAM (Random Access Memory), but for websites.  They exist only to assist the website to retain information for you, as you’re browsing that site.  And just like a computer’s short-term memory, it loses all that information the moment you close out of that website.

There are other types of cookies that I go more into detail about in another article.  Feel free to check out that article to learn more.

Removing Cookies

Although computer cookies aren’t inherently bad, some people can use them to do bad things.  One of the ways to safeguard against becoming a victim of any cybercrime via cookies is to remove them from your device or computer.

It’s a pretty simple process to do, so this section will be fairly short.

Removing cookies from your computer is done mainly through your web browser.  Given that Google Chrome is the most used web browser worldwide, I’ll provide the instructions for Google Chrome.

Here are the instructions to remove cookies in Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. At the top right of the browser, click the 3 vertical dots and select Settings.
3. On the left menu, select Privacy and Security.
4. Under Privacy and Security, you will see Clear Browsing Data, click on that option.
5. On the next screen, make sure the “Cookies and other site data” box is checked, and click the Clear Data button.

This will remove whatever cookies have been installed on your computer.

The instructions for other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge, are very similar to that of Google Chrome.  So you shouldn’t have much difficulty achieving the same results with those other browsers, using the above instructions.

Risks Associated with Cookies

As we’ve discussed so far, cookies were designed mainly to make browsing websites more convenient and personalized.  However, they also come with risks that users should be aware of.

There are two main risks in my opinion that I think all the other ones fall under, and those two are the ones I’ll spend time talking about here.  So let’s discuss what these risks are, and what you can do about them. 

One risk is the invasion of privacy.

Cookies can track your online activities across different websites over time, building a profile of your interests and preferences.  This information can be used by advertisers to target you with personalized ads or sold to third-party data brokers without your consent.

It does happen often, unfortunately, as we’re constantly being monitored as we casually browse the Internet. It’s how marketers know what ads to put in front of us while we’re browsing.  They know what we like from what we don’t like.

Another risk is security vulnerabilities.

This is where those “bad things” I mentioned come into play.  There are cyber criminals called hackers that can exploit cookies to gain access to your account information or steal sensitive data through a process called cross-site scripting (XSS).

This is where hackers execute or inject malicious scripts into a trusted application or file, like a cookie to do their dirt.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by now you have learned that cookies are not inherently bad.

Their benefits do outweigh their cons, as their main purpose is to personalize users’ experience as they interact with a website.  Additionally, they do help to improve website performance and assist in online advertising.

Although the advertising part is done without our permission, it’s with good intent.  As marketers understand us more by paying attention to the content we are browsing online, they’ll have a better idea of what to present to us that we could purchase while we’re browsing.

As far as potential risks associated with cookies. 

There will always be risks, you just have to be more vigilant as a user as to what gets downloaded on your computer.  If you don’t want to accept the cookies that certain websites present, then you can decline their offer and continue to browse their site without your preferences being recorded.

Or as an alternative, remove the cookies from your computer via your web browser once you’re done browsing.  Following the instructions provided above will clear out all the cookies that are installed on your computer.

So next time you see a cookie notification pop up on your screen, don’t panic! Evaluate the situation and make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.

Once it was concluded that this could be done, the existence of computer viruses was made possible.  Computer viruses are dangerous, period, because of the damage they can cause to your computer systems and overall network.

Your best line of defense is by being proactive and keeping your computers protected.  That’s what we’re going to discuss in this article, as well as point out the various dangers of computer viruses.

Common Ways To Get a Computer Virus

Many people unknowingly download viruses from suspicious websites or via emails through a process called Phishing.

If you receive an email from someone you don’t recognize with an attachment, make sure not to click on anything you’re not sure about.  And if you’re really curious, then do some research to see if what you’re receiving is legit.  If you can’t confirm the email is safe, then delete it.

Additionally, opening spam messages can also lead to getting infected.  Unless you’re expecting emails from a certain spammer, it’s fair game to delete all spam messages that come to you.  You probably won’t see most spam messages because most email services recognize spam and automatically throw it into the spam or junk folder.

As far as websites, I recommend taking a similar approach.

If a website looks unfamiliar, or something seems off, it’s best not to interact with it all, if not very little.  One of the dead giveaways a website may not be safe is it’s missing the security lock to the left of the URL.

Also, look for the “https” preceding the web address.  The “s” stands for Security to indicate that it’s a secure website to visit.

You should also be careful when downloading free software by making sure that you download only official versions and updates in order to keep your devices safe from any malicious code or links inside the file or program.

What Makes Computer Viruses Dangerous?

We’ve already established that computer viruses are dangerous and can cause a lot of damage to your computer.  But let’s break this down a bit to explain how they operate and how they can create havoc for your computer systems.

Once your computer is infected, the computer virus takes control of your system and alters your files.  The codes in a virus are solely designed to cause damage by deleting data and corrupting systems.

A virus can also be used for identity theft.  It can redirect a user to sites that aren’t safe and monitor that user’s activity on the Internet, allowing for information about that user to be collected without their knowledge.

What’s also dangerous is that viruses spread from one computer to another, as long as they’re connected to the same network and are sharing some type of files and folders.  That’s how the virus gets around, via files and folders shared by computers.

Here’s how it works.

Computer viruses attach themselves to files or applications in a user’s system.  When this file is executed (opened), the virus begins replicating itself and corrupting other files and programs, unbeknownst to the user.  They’ll just realize one day that their computer system isn’t working properly and not know why.

In more serious cases, this can lead to complete system failure, where your computer is 100 percent non-responsive, preventing you from doing anything at all with it.

So you always want to be careful not to get your system infected with a virus.

How To Protect Yourself from Viruses

There are a few things you can do to safeguard your device from threats like viruses and malicious software.

First, install reliable antivirus software on your computers that use the internet.

I know Microsft Windows for instance comes equipped with a native security application, known as Windows Security, and it does a pretty decent job.

However, I still encourage users to use a 3rd party antivirus program to keep their systems safe.  These companies specialize in cybersecurity and do a better job in my opinion at protecting your computer than Windows Security would.

This will help identify any potential threats before they cause damage.  Being proactive, rather than reactive.  The ones I’d recommend are Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.

In addition to installing a 3rd party antivirus application, it’s a good idea to set up automatic updates for your operating system so it can keep up with the latest security patches.  This will help to combat a virus infection.

Secondly, be careful about where you download files from online.

If a website seems untrustworthy or suspicious-looking, don’t click on any links or download anything from it!  The same goes for emails.  Don’t click on anything in an email you don’t think you can trust.  Spammers and hackers use emails heavily as their bait to lure you onto a website where they can capture information from you and get your computer infected.

This process, as I’ve mentioned before is called Phishing, and it’s done every day.

If you happen to be a victim of a virus attack, there are things that you can do to “heal” your computer.  One of my first go-to for remedying a computer that is infected with a computer virus or other malware is to download Malwarebytes.

This application does a pretty thorough job of getting rid of viruses and malware from your computer that most other antivirus applications simply cannot do. I’ve used them for years and have been very satisfied with the results.

However, in extreme cases where your computer is pretty bad, and beyond repair, then your best bet would be to wipe your system clean and re-install the Operating System.  Although this can be a real pain and does require a tech expert to do, it’s probably the most effective way to completely rid your computer of a virus.

The video below provides some tips on how to protect your computer from viruses.

Final Thoughts

Computer viruses are dangerous and can do serious harm to your computer. 

As long as you have access to the Internet, you will be exposed to potentially getting infected with a computer virus.  The two most common ways are via the Internet and email.  Don’t visit or interact with unsafe-looking websites, and don’t open emails from senders you don’t recognize.  If you abide by those guidelines, you will prevent over 90% of possible infections

Remember that viruses spread from computer to computer by attaching themselves to files on each computer.  So if your computer is not being protected by a 3rd party antivirus software, you do run the risk of making your computer and entire network susceptible to a potential virus attack.

Malwarebytes is a good application to use if you ever become a victim of a virus or malware attack.  However, if your computer has been compromised beyond repair, then your best bet is to get the hard drive of your computer completely wiped clean and do a fresh re-install of the Operating System.

Although Malwarebytes does a great job in ridding an infected computer of viruses and other malware, a clean wipe of the hard is the best way to completely rid your computer of a virus. 

You see viruses spread from computer to computer, as long as they are connected to one another via a computer network, and Wi-Fi connections are no exception.  Computer viruses does spread through wi-fi connections, just the same as they do with wired connections.

This article will discuss how computer viruses can spread through Wi-Fi and what you can do to protect yourself against them.

What are Computer Viruses?

Computer viruses are malicious codes that can cause a lot of damage to computers, resulting in loss of data, slow performance, and stolen information.

The way viruses work is that they attach themselves to another program and that’s how they run and do harm to your computer.  A program could be anything, a Word document, or even a PDF file.  Let’s say you receive an email with an attachment to it.  That attachment has a virus, and you open that attachment, not knowing that it has a virus.

The virus runs and spreads to your computer and all its files.  Now, you have an infected computer on your hands.

This is a common way that many users become victims of a virus attack, it’s called Phishing.  My suggestion is to not open any emails if you’re unsure who the sender is, and if it seems like spam or a weird-looking email. 

Even if you do open the email out of curiosity, don’t open any attachments or click on any links in that suspicious-looking email.

Once a virus infects a computer by infecting the files, it then makes copies of itself to be redistributed to another host.  Examples of other hosts are other computers or devices connected to that infected computer via a network.

This is why computer viruses are so dangerous because they can compromise an entire organization’s network, simply by spreading from host to host.  With the hosts being computers.

The Difference Between Virus and Malware

You may hear people using malware and virus interchangeably at different times, thinking that they’re the same thing.  But in actuality, they are different, but similar in some ways. 

Let me explain.

The term malware encompasses any type of malicious code that’s created to do harm to your computer.  This can include a virus, ransomware, Trojan horse, Worm, etc.  Malware covers all the different types of malicious codes.  A virus is a type of malware, but malware doesn’t have to be a virus, it can be something else that is causing problems for your computer.

Malwarebytes is an awesome product that can eradicate all types of malware from your computer if your computer were ever to be infected.  I use them all the time for my own computer systems as well as for my clients.

To give a better visual display of what a computer virus is, here’s a quick video that gives a good explanation.

How Do Viruses Spread Through Wi-Fi?

Just like with a wired Ethernet connection, a virus can spread via Wi-Fi just the same.

More than anything else, what needs to be understood here is the concept by which a computer virus can be spread from one computer to another.  The method by which a computer is connected to a network doesn’t matter as much.

Here’s what I mean.

Once a computer is connected to a particular network, let’s say your internal office network, that computer receives what is known as an IP (Internet Protocol) address.  This IP address gives your laptop, smartphone, iPad, etc. an identity.  The router of your office network then grants your computer access to the World Wide Web, where all types of malware are lurking, just waiting to attack any vulnerable devices they can find.

So let’s take this a step further with Wi-Fi, as the connection protocol.

You get two new office laptops that you have decided to connect to your office’s Wi-Fi with a WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) password.  I would hope you have a WPA2 password protecting your Wi-Fi network, that’s usually a given.  But if not, that’ll be the first thing you need to address right away before doing anything else.

We’ll talk more about that in a sec, but for now, let’s move on.

Your new laptops have been assigned IP addresses of 192.168.1.5 and 192.168.1.6, respectfully.

These new laptops are now connected to your network and are sharing files on the network that other computers are connected to.

Now, laptop A has contracted a virus through a Phishing attack.  The user opened an attachment from an unscrupulous email and activated a virus to spread to all their files and programs.  This same infected laptop opened a document that resides on the company’s server, made some modifications, and saves the document back to the server.

Laptop B, then goes in and opens that now infected file on the server, opens that document, and activates the virus.  Now laptop B has been infected, and possibly the company’s server.

In our example here, these are both computers connected to the network via Wi-Fi and both were victims of virus attacks.  These types of attacks happen all the time, all over the Internet.

Different Ways to Protect Your Wi-Fi Network

Are you worried about your Wi-Fi security?

It’s understandable to be cautious when it comes to protecting your network, particularly your Wi-Fi network.  Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your network is safe from intruders and malicious software.

To start off, ensure you always have the latest security patches installed on all of your devices connected to the internet.  This will help prevent hackers from accessing sensitive data on these devices.  It may not be the best line of defense, but it is a starting point to add to your Wi-Fi arsenal.

Also, create a secure password for your Wi-Fi network so that only authorized people can access it.  This is what I was mentioning earlier, as a very important step to take before doing anything else.

Avoid using easily guessed words or phrases for your passwords.  Instead, opt for a combination of letters, numbers, and a few special characters that will be hard to crack or figure out.  The harder it is for unauthorized individuals to get access to your Wi-Fi, the better it is for you.

As I have hinted at earlier with the laptop example, make sure your Wi-Fi network is secured with a WPA2 password and not just a WPA password.  The reason for this is that WPA2 has higher encryption.  Which means harder to break into.

Every computer on your network, whether they’re wireless or wired should be protected with a third-party anti-virus program.  This is a proactive method to prevent your systems from getting infected.

I’ve already mentioned Malwarebytes as a good choice to remove viruses.  Additionally, the 3 anti-virus applications that I would recommend are Norton 360, McAfee Total Protection, and Bitdefender Total Security.

Final Thoughts

As you can see based on what I’ve presented in this article, we can conclude that computer viruses do spread through Wi-Fi, and can be done in several ways.  Understanding how computer viruses are transferred will help you to see that a virus can be spread from computer to computer, regardless of how it’s connected to a particular network.

As long as your computer is connected to a network, whether by Ethernet or Wi-Fi, a virus can be transferred to or from that device, regardless of its connection protocol.

Armed with this knowledge, your focus should be on taking proactive measures to protect your Wi-Fi network and your Wi-Fi computer.  Doing regular updates is a great place to start, as it helps make your Operating system less vulnerable to virus attacks.

Ensure that you have reliable, third-party anti-virus software installed on your computer, that does real-time safekeeping against any potential virus that may be lurking on the Internet.  Another safety measure that I didn’t mention earlier is investing in a network firewall to keep out any unwanted traffic into your network.

This will take your protection game to a whole other level but does require a little more tech-savviness to manage.

You can purchase a pretty good firewall online at an affordable price that’ll do a good job of keeping your Wi-Fi network protected.

In closing, treat your Wi-Fi computer as you would your Ethernet-connected computers, as it relates to computer viruses.  It is just as susceptible to being infected with viruses and other malware, as any other device that has access to the Internet.

In this article, we’ll discuss four.

In case you’re not familiar with VPNs.  It’s a tool/software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously.  A VPN can come in especially handy when privacy is a major concern.  In other instances, you may need to use a VPN if you’re in parts of the world where that particular country puts a block on certain websites you’d like to get access to.

And if you’re interested in using a VPN service, Express VPN is one of the better products on the market.  I did a review about it, which you can get more details about here.

But let’s look at the four ways to change your IP address with a VPN.

Use a Proxy Server

If you want to change your IP address without using a VPN, using a proxy server is a great alternative.

A proxy server is a computer that acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet. When you use a proxy server, your requests to websites are sent to the proxy server first, and then the proxy server forwards the request to the website. The website responds to the proxy server, which then forwards the response to your computer.

This entire process is done with your computer operating behind the proxy server.  So your IP address is hidden from the website.

There are many benefits of using a proxy server. For example, if you’re worried about someone snooping on your traffic, you can use a proxy server to encrypt your traffic. Additionally, if you’re trying to access a website that’s blocked in your country, as I mentioned earlier, you can use a proxy server that’s located in another country to bypass the block.

A VPN does a pretty good job of this, but a proxy server can be a good backup of that.

To find a good proxy server, there are several of them on the internet that you can download, both free and for a fee.  There are hardware and software proxy servers.  However, in my experience, most people use the software version more.

To use a proxy server, you need to configure it on your computer. To set up a Windows 10 PC to use a proxy server, do the following:

1. Click on Start, then go to Settings from the Start menu.
2. Select Network and Internet.
3. Then choose Proxy on the left side of the Window.
4. Set the Use a Proxy Server button to “On”.
5. From here, you want to enter the information from your proxy server.

Here’s a quick tutorial video on how to set up a proxy server in Windows 10:

Change Network Settings

This option is strictly from the point that you just want to change your IP address, without having to deal with a VPN.  In this case, you can do this in the Network Settings of your Operating System.

You can either assign your computer a temporary IP address, which is distributed by your router via DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol).  Or you can assign your computer a permanent IP address, which you would have to enter manually.

Here’s how to get to Network Settings in Windows 10:

1. Click on Start > Settings.
2. Then click on Network and Internet.
3. Select Ethernet on the left side.
4. Under Related Settings on the right, click Change Adapter Options.
5. On the next screen, right-click on the ethernet adapter you’re using and select Properties.
6. Look for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.
   
7. Select the Use the following IP address button to manually enter the IP you want to use.  Just make sure it’s within the local IP address range that’s defined by your router.
   

If you want to change the entire subnet for your network, then you’ll need to log into your router and make the changes there.

Use TOR (The Onion Router)

This open-source technology may not be as popular as a VPN, but this is an alternative that you can use to hide or change your IP address without a VPN.

All you need is a computer and an internet connection. TOR encrypts your traffic and routes it through a network of servers, making it virtually impossible to trace back to you.

So make sure to use it responsibly if you decide to give it a try.

The reason this open-source technology was created, was to help protect the average users online and keep their network information private.  It works primarily with web browsers.  Maybe you’re a journalist who needs to keep your sources anonymous. Or maybe you’re just worried about government spying. Whatever the reason, TOR can help you stay safe and secure online.

Using TOR is easy to use.

Just download the software from the official website and follow the instructions. Within minutes, you’ll be up and running with a new IP address. So if you’re looking for a way to stay anonymous online, give TOR a try.

Mobile or Public Network

Did you know that you can use your cell phone as a wireless hotspot?

It’s pretty standard these days, so it’s possible that you have at least heard of the concept before.  I have used it a few times, and it works well at best in most situations.

I’ve been in a situation where I needed internet for my laptop, but there was no available Wi-Fi in the area, so I would turn on the hotspot (or tethering) on my mobile phone, and within minutes I had internet on my laptop.

The good thing is that you define the IP address that you want to use, and set your own password, which gives a bit more security than say a public or open network, where anyone can get on and access your machine.

To turn your mobile phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, contact your carrier and have them turn that feature on for you.

A public network is a computer network that is accessible to the general public. This is not my favorite network to get on, because the barrier to entry is so low.  As I said, anyone with a laptop or mobile device can get on there and do whatever they wish.

Hackers included.

If I absolutely had to access a public network, I’d get on there for only a few minutes.  And preferably with a computer that doesn’t have much of my personal information on it.

But nonetheless, a public network is another good option for changing your IP address without a VPN.  You’ll be assigned whatever IP subnet that’s been configured for that particular network. Public networks are typically found in libraries, coffee shops, and other public places.

So be careful with this particular option.

What Option is Best for You?

Well, that depends on what you need the privacy for.

I would start with VPN because they tend to be more secure in my opinion.  Sure, there’s a cost associated with most VPN software, but sometimes it’s worth paying the fee, so you don’t have to worry as much.

My recommendation here is Express VPN, as I’ve mentioned before.  Their software is pretty solid and easy to use, and they have great support.

But of course, you may not want to use a VPN, which is why you’re reading this article.

A good first alternative is that of a Proxy Server.  This will allow you to browse the internet anonymously from behind a proxy server.

Changing your network settings allows you to get a little fancy with your local network settings, but it does require a little more tech-savvy to pull off.

Using the onion router (TOR) gives you some protection while you’re browsing the internet, and it’s a free open-source technology.

Mobile and public networks can also provide a change of IP address without using a VPN.  You’re just not as protected as the other options given here.

To not have an antivirus installed on your computer is essentially browsing the internet naked.  It’s the equivalent of walking on broken glass without shoes.

You are guaranteed to get injured.

I know what was a little excessive of an analogy, but I wanted to drive home the point of how important it is to have antivirus software installed on your computer.

In this article, I’ll give you 3 reasons why it’s a bad idea to not have an antivirus installed, and delve in a little more as to why that is the case.

Let’s dive in.

Antivirus Protects You from Malware

Malware is a type of software that can harm your computer or steal your personal information.  Your antivirus software can help to protect you from the likes of malware.  

Without antivirus protection, you’re vulnerable to all sorts of malware, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware. 

Viruses can delete your files or damage your hard drive.  Spyware can track your online activity and steal your personal information.  Ransomware can encrypt your files and demand a ransom to decrypt them.

Antivirus software provides an important layer of protection against malware.  It can keep your computer protected in real time to prevent a malware attack from happening.  Although Windows Security can do a pretty decent job for PC-based computers, to keep your system protected, I’d recommend that you invest in third-party software.

One such anti-virus application is Norton antivirus.  I’ll talk more about why I recommend them later in the article.

For now, just be sure to install a third-party antivirus application as soon as possible.

You’re only putting yourself at risk for a malware attack, by not having antivirus software installed.  Even if you’re careful about what you download and only visit trustworthy websites, it only takes one infected email or malicious ad to infect your computer.  And you don’t know when you might click on the “wrong link”.

Once your computer is infected…it’s a wrap. 

The malware can spread to other computers on your network, as well as any devices you connect to your computer (like external hard drives or USB flash drives).  And the recovery process is very expensive.  Prevention is better than cure is what I always say.

And the best way to “prevent” malware attacks is to install antivirus software.

Helps to Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are one of the most common ways that people have their personal information stolen.  This is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, like your credit card number or password.

They might do this by sending you an email that looks like it’s from a company you trust, or by creating a fake website that looks like a real one.

There are a few simple things you can do to prevent a phishing attack from happening.

Obviously, the first thing that you want to do is install an antivirus program on your computer. 

Having antivirus software installed on your computer will alert you when there’s probable cause for a phishing attempt.  If you don’t have an antivirus installed, there’s no way to know if the email or website is real or not.  That’s why it’s important to have one installed, so you can stay safe online. 

The next best thing that you can do to prevent becoming a victim of phishing is to be very careful with your emails.  If you receive an email from someone that you do not know, or which looks suspicious, delete it immediately.

Many people believe that as long as they don’t download anything, they can’t get a virus. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.  Hackers/Scammers can also create fake websites as I mentioned before, that look like legitimate sites but actually collect your personal information.

So, my third and final tip here is to be careful with the websites you’re visiting, and what information you exchange with those websites.

But by having a solid antivirus program installed on your computer, your risk of a phishing attack reduces significantly.

More Susceptible to Attacks

This one is a no-brainer.  But let’s get into the psychology behind how this can affect you.

You may think that since you only visit safe websites and don’t click on any suspicious links, you’re in the clear.   But no, this is not the case.

Even the safest internet users can be susceptible to attacks.

If you don’t have an antivirus installed, your computer is more vulnerable to malware and other security threats.  And depending on how bad the attack is, you could end up paying thousands of dollars in recovery, either to recovery experts, to the hackers themselves, or both.

Ransomware anyone?

Even if you are careful about the websites you visit and the links you click on, malicious software can still find its way onto your computer.  Once it’s there, it can wreak havoc on your system, steal your personal information, and even hold your files for ransom.

Don’t take chances with your computer’s security.  Make sure you have an antivirus program installed and running at all times.

As I’ve mentioned before, prevention is better than cure.  Having an antivirus will keep you ahead of the game, in real-time.

I Recommend Norton Antivirus

Norton Antivirus is a great choice because it offers comprehensive protection against all types of malware, including viruses, spyware, and adware.  It also has a variety of features that make it easy to use, such as a simple interface and automatic updates.

I also like Norton because it’s light in terms of how much of your system resources it uses on your computer, while it’s running.  There are many other antivirus programs that are heavy, and slow your computer down.

Plus Norton’s reputation alone precedes it. 

Norton has been around since the 90’s when it was acquired by Symantec to develop antivirus for DOS(Disk Operating System) programs.

And it’s been kicking butt against viruses and malware ever since then.

Norton also has a variety of features that make it easy to use, such as a user-friendly interface.  So novice of computer users can download and install Norton in a matter of minutes, and up and running, with full protection.

I recommend Norton Antivirus because it’s reliable and effective in protecting your computer from threats.  So download Norton today, and you’ll be one step closer to preventing your computer from getting attacked by malware.

And it’s not just for individuals either, organizations are also targets.  Businesses and organizations have “big money” potential for cyber criminals, so they are more than willing to put in the extra effort to go after these entities.

Before going any further, let’s talk formalities for a minute, and define social engineering.  It is a type of attack where individuals are tricked into revealing their personal information or performing actions that compromise their security.  Most of this takes place via spam emails that look legit.

This is called Phishing, as cyber criminals send out spam emails to “phish” for information.

As social engineering attacks become more widespread and sophisticated, it is important to be aware of the many dangers involved.  Let’s learn more about social engineering and some steps you can take to protect yourself.

Examples of Social Engineering Attacks

Phishing

The most predominant form of social engineering is Phishing.  I mentioned earlier that Phishing is the process of sending spam emails to gain information.  But let’s talk more about what this all means.

Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.  This is done by the hacker disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity in electronic communication (i.e. email).  Here are some examples of what I mean:

“Phishers” love to use email messages to scam you, and this is what we ask users to be vigilant with all the time.  But they can also use instant messaging and social media platforms to try and trick people into revealing their personal information.

The reason cybercriminals use phishing attacks is that they are relatively easy to carry out and very effective in obtaining sensitive information.  Organizations can protect themselves against phishing attacks by educating their employees about the dangers of phishing and implementing security measures such as firewalls and anti-virus software. 

You can learn more about how organizations can protect themselves against Phishing, by reading my recent article on the topic.

Malware

Most people have heard of malware, and have a good idea of what it is.  Put simply, malware is bad for you and your computer.  But to give a formal definition for the fancy types, malware is a type of software that can be used to harm or disable computers and computer networks.

Malware includes viruses, ransomware, spyware, and Trojans.  These programs can be installed on computers through phishing attacks (which we just talked about), malicious websites, or clicking on an email link. Once installed, the malware can steal information, damage files, or even take control of the computer. Malware can also be used to launch cyber attacks against other organizations.

The thing with most malware that makes it so dangerous is that it’s difficult to detect.  Using security software like Malwarebytes can definitely help with that.

The programs can often hide deep inside a computer’s operating system or network infrastructure. This makes them hard to find and remove. 

One of the best ways to protect your computer from malware is to be aware of the different methods hackers use to distribute their malicious software.  With social engineering, it can be a bit difficult to detect.

You see hackers are finding more sophisticated ways to garner your information and deceive you so they can install malware on your computer.

To give an example…

Say a hacker might send an email that appears to be from a friend or colleague, asking you to open an attachment or visit a website.  Should you fall for this tactic/scam and install the malware, the hacker can gain access to your computer and steal your data.

Another common method of distributing malware is through infected websites. If you visit an infected website, the malware can automatically download to your computer without you even realizing it.

Baiting

In the simplest of terms, baiting is the act of providing false information or promises to lure victims to exploit.  Pretty bad stuff I know.

False information could be in the form of a false social security number or credit card number.  It can also be in the form of a Trojan horse program that downloads onto a victim’s computer after they have opened an email attachment or clicked on a link sent by a scammer.

The danger with baiting is that it’s often difficult to tell if you’re being baited or not.

Hackers are getting better and better at disguising their attacks as legitimate communications.  Once they have your personal information, they can use it to steal your identity, your money, or even launch cyber attacks against other organizations.  All under your information.

Phishing, Malware, and Baiting aren’t the only way social engineering can happen.  They just happen to be the most common attacks of social engineering.

Here’s a fun but scary video of how sophisticated scammers are getting with social engineering:

The Risks Organizations Face with Social Engineering

There are many risks organizations face when it comes to social engineering attacks.  One of the main dangers is that social engineering attacks can be very successful in compromising an organization’s security.

In fact, social engineering attacks are the most common methods used by cybercriminals to gain access to an organization’s networks along with their sensitive data.

An organization’s reputation could also be at risk, due to social engineering attacks.  Imagine if a hacker was able to compromise an organization’s internal network and gain access to confidential information that’s not meant for the public to see.

This could be used as a source of blackmail by the hacker to release that information without permission, which can then lead to negative publicity and loss of trust from customers and clients.

Lastly, social engineering attacks can be costly for organizations.

This one should be the most obvious, as the main reason cybercriminals commit cyber crimes is because of the monetary gains.  Organizations, businesses, and entities usually have more money than individuals.  So cybercriminals have more of an incentive to target organizations.

This is why cybercriminals put so much effort into sending out phishing emails because they work.  

Even if an organization has security measures in place to protect against social engineering attacks, those measures may not be effective if employees are not properly trained on how to identify and avoid them.

Effects of Social Engineering on Society

The dangers of social engineering are twofold. First, it can be used to steal information or commit fraud. Second, it can be used to create chaos or mayhem in our lives.  This is both on a personal and professional level.

“Social engineers” can manipulate people into doing things they would not ordinarily do, such as revealing passwords, clicking on malicious links, or participating in hate campaigns.

Social engineering is a growing threat to society and poses a serious risk to businesses and individuals.  As I mentioned before, hackers are becoming more sophisticated in their attacks, so we often don’t have a clue we’re being hacked, when it’s happening.

It is important to be aware of the dangers of social engineering and take steps to protect yourself, by being informed.  Here are a few tips to always keep in mind and protect yourself:

• Always be cautious when opening unknown emails, clicking links, or responding to messages from unknown senders.
• Don’t share your personal information or passwords with anyone, unless you’re certain that the request is legitimate.  The request could be via email, phone, or in person.
• Use strong passwords for your accounts, and change them often.  
• If you can get two-level authentication on your accounts to log in, use them wherever they’re available
• On your social media accounts, avoid stating where your location is on your profile.  Cybercriminals can use this information to learn more about you and your personal information.

These are the reasons social engineering is dangerous because it can be used to exploit people’s trust and gullibility.  Unfortunately, that’s the world we are living in today, and we need to be proactively vigilant in protecting ourselves.

The effects of social engineering on society are not limited to financial loss only.  They can also cause emotional distress and humiliation for their victims, which can be more catastrophic than the financial loss in some cases.

Final Thoughts

So as we can see, social engineering is a dangerous tool that can do harm to us in more ways than one.    

It can be used to gain access to confidential information or to install malware on a computer.  It can also be used to exploit people’s trust and confidence.  In order to protect yourself from social engineering attacks, you should be aware of the techniques that attackers use, and you should always be skeptical of unsolicited requests for information or help.

Social engineering attacks aren’t just limited to online.  Cybercriminals are finding more sophisticated ways to get information via phone and even in person.  So be proactive by being aware.  Keep your computer security software up-to-date, and make sure that you have strong passwords and user accounts.

No one likes it when their computer or network is contaminated with malware.  How malware spreads, can sometimes be a bit of a mystery to some users, as most people would see that their computer is acting weird and they don’t know why.  Questions like…” why is my computer moving so slow?” or “does my computer have a virus or something?” starts to surface, and you have no idea how it happened.

I’ll be focusing more on how malware spreads, and what you can do about it.

Before we go any further, I’d like to give some substance to the term “malware”, so you can get a better understanding of what it is.  Malware is software whose primary purpose is to cause harm to your computer and network.  Whether in the form of phishing to steal your information, or a virus to cause your computer to crash, the outcome is the same, bring harm to your computer.

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be more informed about malware and what to do to prevent it from infecting your systems.  Now let’s get into the top ways malware can spread from computer to computer.

Storage Devices

A common way that malware can spread from device to device is through storage devices like external hard drives or USB flash drives.  We all tend to want to pack as much data as possible on our external hard drives or USB drives, and not think much of what we’re putting on there.

Then take that same device and plug it into another computer, without much thought.

Well if any of the files on your hard drive happens to be infected with malware of any kind, that device is considered “infected”.  The moment you start plugging that device into other computers, you’re now infecting those other computers with that device.

Ensure that you have antivirus software that does a scan of the drive on your computer before you plugin that device to transfer data.

Spam Emails

This is one of the main ways malware spreads.  Hackers love to send spam emails because they work.  Users are easily enticed to click on a link they weren’t sure about but wanted to explore a bit to see where that link will take them.  Heck, I’ve even fallen for this a few times, and I’m a techie.

So anyone can fall prey to this particular tactic. 

The two types of malware that get sent through spam are Ransomware and Trojans.  Both of which can be dangerous and very expensive if you get infected by them.    

So please be careful NOT to open emails that you are not sure about.

This falls under the category of Phishing, which I wrote about and mention a few tips on how to not become a victim of a phishing attack.

Downloading Bad Software

Downloading bad software from the internet is a sure way to spread malware to your computer.  By “bad software”, I’m talking about software that was illegally pirated or cracked so you can get it for free.

Websites that are notorious for housing this bad software are torrent sites.  Torrent sites are websites that allow you to download software and other types of data from other users who have shared that data on the internet from their server. 

However, torrent sites are very credible.  The source from which you are downloading software or data could have all sorts of infected files associated with the files you are downloading.

So again, if you are going to download unauthorized software or data from these types of websites, make sure you have some form of security software installed to scan these files before you open and use them.

Hacked Social Media or Email Accounts

Have you ever received a weird private message from one of your friends on social media?  Or an email came to you from one of your friends but seems like it was a bit bizarre.  The email you received is asking you to check out some links they’d like you to see.

And it’s usually associated with money.  Like a cool way to make some money fast, or something of that nature.  Or maybe it’s trying to send you to an inappropriate site.

These are examples of accounts that were hacked, and the hacker is then sending messages to all the contacts, pretending to be that person.  If this happens to you, and you received one of those weird emails from your friend or colleague, contact them using other means, and verify that it was in fact them who sent the message.

The thing is, hackers are smart enough to actually keep interacting with you if you reply to that message, and will continue to play the role of your “friend”.  They’ll continue to play along and say things like “yeah it’s pretty cool, check it out” (talking from experience here…and not proud of it).

So don’t attempt to communicate with them through that same channel.  Instead, try calling or texting that friend or colleague to verify it’s them.  And say “hey I got this message from you, was it you that sent it?”, and let them tell you for sure.

Now let’s move on to identifying the different kinds of malware out there.

Types of Malware

There are many types of malware that are out there, but I’m going to share the most common ones that do the most harm. 

Computer Virus

This is the most common type of malware you will come across and hear about.  A computer virus is a program that’s created to alter the way a particular program is operated, usually in a bad way.  It essentially replicates itself by inserting its own codes into that program.  Now that infected program infects all other programs that are affiliated with it.

This cycle continues until an entire system is compromised with infected files.

Common signs to know that your system is infected with a virus are:

• Altered performance:  A particular program is not running like it normally does.  Usually, you’ll notice that the program is slow to respond, non-responsive, or a combination of the two.
• Pop-ups: Not as common today as in the past, but pop-ups are a dead giveaway that your computer is infected with a virus.
• Drivers Don’t Work: Software that allows your computer to communicate with the hardware is called drivers.  Examples could be drivers for a printer/scanner or even drivers for the Operating System.  A virus can affect these drivers and prevent your hardware (i.e. printers, scanners, hard drives) to work.

Ransomware

As I’ve mentioned before, this type of malware has been creating all types of havoc for businesses and Government entities alike in the past recent years.  Ransomware is malicious software that locks you out of your computer and/or network by encrypting the files.  And the only way to un-encrypt those files is to pay the hacker a ransom, usually in the form of Bitcoin.

I believe this is one of, if not the most dangerous and expensive form of malware.  We’re talking entire companies get shut down because their data has been encrypted by ransomware.  And the crazy thing is you still put your company at risk by paying the ransom amount that is demanded.

Because the reality is that the attacker still can have access to files if they have the “key” to unlock those encrypted data. 

The best approach to solving this issue is to rebuild from your clean backups.  This is why it’s so important to always have continuous backups going.

The other important thing to understand about ransomware is that it’s initiated by the user, most likely from an email of some kind.  Here’s a video that gives a pretty good breakdown of ransomware and what we can do to better protect ourselves.

Spyware

Although we don’t hear much about this particular malware, it’s still alive and well.  Spyware operates a little in stealth mode.  It’s malicious code designed to gather information from your device.  That information is then brought back to the hacker who can then use that information to do “bad things”.

As long as you’re connected to the internet (which…let’s be honest, all of us are) you’re at risk of some form of spyware.

Here are two main ways hackers can use spyware to get on to your computer (there are many more of course):

1. Trojans:  This is also a type of malware that I mentioned before.  Hackers will disguise a Trojan software to make it look like it’s legit and safe to download.  Users then download this software, thinking all is well, and then discover their systems are infected later on. Sometimes it’s hard to see with the naked eye, but what you can pay attention to is the source you’re downloading that software from.
2. Adult and Gambling Websites: These types of sites are filled with all types of ads and malicious codes that can seriously infect your computer with all types of spyware.  Interacting with these types of websites almost guarantees your computer gets infected, unless you have protective measures in place.  Such protective measures would include having an antivirus installed to block spyware…possibly even block the entire website.  

How to Protect Against Malware

Now that we’ve covered several areas on how malware spreads, let’s change gear a bit and talk about how you can protect yourself against malware.

The first and most obvious protection I would recommend is installing security software that acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet.  There are many to choose from, however, the ones that I would recommend are Malwarebytes, Norton, Bitdefender, or Kaspersky.

Anyone of these security software will give you the protection you need to ward off malware.

Also, Malwarebytes is the only security software that I know of that you can install other security software alongside it, on the same machine.  Most security software/antivirus does not play well with each other when you put them on the same machine.

You can use the duo combination of Malwarebytes and another security software to make it a one, two punch to protect against malware.

Updates are important as well.  Ensure both your security software and your Operating System are receiving automatic updates.  Updates are the patches used to cover up the holes hackers exploit to infect your machines with malware.

The next protection method I have mentioned before is to NOT click on links from unrecognized emails.  This one I can’t stress enough because it’s so important.

This is a primary method hackers use to infect your computer.  If you’re not sure, verify the source manually by doing a little research, or ask your tech person what you should do.

Finally, only download software from reputable websites that you can trust, even if you have to pay for it.  In fact, if you have to pay for that software, it’s probably a good chance it’s legit and coming from a trusted website.  It’s the “free stuff” that’ll get you because they come riddled with all types of malware.

So be vigilant, be smart and be proactive to protect against malware.  Doing so will reduce your chances significantly of becoming a victim of a malware attack.