With greater numbers spending increasing time online, as well as the many benefits, one of the unfortunate downsides has been the continuous spreading of malicious software. Becoming victim to any of a number of threats can result in damaging consequences for you in terms of data and the protection of privacy. With the increase in the list of threats we are instructed to worry about along with the increase in the technical knowledge that it sometimes feels is required to keep up, it can altogether begin to feel a little too much to cope with. This article aims to explain and clarify in a non-technical way some of the main computer threats that are good to be informed about today.
Although computer security has numerous aspects, they can be broadly categorized in to web browsing security and email security. High quality desktop security software can avert the risk from both these sources.
As we are growing the time that we devote online and in so doing becoming more comfortable with conducting financial transactions online, increased attention to what is called “phishing” is becoming necessary. The word is used to refer to the setting of fraudulent websites specifically for the purpose of taking your confidential data. In practical terms, users are often misdirected to spurious websites which proceed to download troublesome code onto your machine which then attempts to procure sensitive information such as financial details.
A major online problem today is spyware, which is software designed to track computer user behavior. If your machine is infected, you may well notice advertisements repeatedly popping up whilst you are browsing the internet. As is easy to see, this can put your personal information very much at risk. Spyware can get installed on your machine simply by visiting particular harmful web pages or downloading uncertified “free” software onto your machine.
In general, shortcomings in your web browser (applications such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc) will compromise your desktop security by causing your computer to become vulnerable to insidious code being downloaded from websites.
The use of email is element that should be brought to our attention from a computer security point of view, as our computers can be made vulnerable in a number of ways through this.
The term “malware” in refers to any software created with the intent of invading the privacy of a computer system without the consent of the computer owner. Softwares such as spyware, viruses, rootkits, trojans amongst others fall under the rubric of “malware”. With respect to email it is important to note that malware can become installed on your machine simply through the opening of attachments. Although the deleterious effects of this may not be noticed immediately, your machine may begin to show unusual behavior over time.
Another way in which malware can be infected onto your computer is through the use of spam. A spam warning should be flagged by the absence of a mail to address in a message, the content of such messages can also be offensive.
Email can also be a source of phishing whereby messages are received that request confidential information to be sent via email.
Installing the appropriate desktop security software solutions onto your machines can dramatically increase your effectiveness in preventing the risks described in this article, and give you the peace of mind to surf the web and use email in the knowledge that your security and privacy are likely to be protected.
Tags: Computer Securty, Desktop Security, Desktop Security Software
