In general, a computer virus is a piece of malicious software that infects and causes damage, changes, or copies files on your computer or other software. Hackers create viruses for different purposes including stealing credit card information, intellectual property, login details used by site visitors, as well as spying on unsuspecting laptop users. According to a report published by Kaspersky Lab, the company’s antivirus software detected more than three billion attacks from infected files. If you use your laptop to surf the Internet, you run the risk of downloading malicious software unknowingly. Read on to learn how to safeguard your college laptop from malicious software.
The Email Threat
Email is one of the most widely used forms of Internet communication. However, cyber criminals have turned email into a tool for spreading computer viruses. The rule of thumb is to avoid opening unsolicited email attachments or links. Even if the email seems to come from a trusted source, be careful when opening it. For example, you might get an email that says you need to verify your bank account details by clicking open a given link.
It is advisable not to open that link straight from your email. Instead, open another browser tab and use it to visit your bank’s website. Most banks have teams of representatives ready to answer client queries via web chat, phone, or instant messaging. Find out if the information in the email is genuine.
Avoid File Sharing Sites
File sharing sites where people can access music, software, or movies have become quite popular. It is wise to stay away from such sites because there is no way of knowing if you are downloading an infected file or not. You might realize that your laptop has malicious software when it is too late and hackers have already cleared your bank account. Even if you have installed antivirus software in your laptop, it does not provide 100% protection. Take note that an antivirus program is simply a database of known viruses and hackers can create sophisticated, unknown, and undetectable viruses.
Pop-up Messages
If you come across a pop-up message warning that your computer has a computer virus, ignore it. In most cases, such pop-up messages urge web users to download software that will clear viruses or software. The truth is you will be downloading malware and not genuine antivirus software.
Social Engineering Threats
Although social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest have made it easy for people to communicate and socialize, they have also made it easy for hackers to spread malware. For example, you might receive a message from a friend on any social network site inviting you to view a video or listen to an audio message.
When you open the link provided by your supposed friend, you might get a message prompting you to update your software. If you proceed to update your software, you will likely infect your laptop with a virus. Other social engineering tricks include fake gift delivery messages, music or sports concert tickets giveaways, or messages to participate in a lottery.
USB Drives
Make it a rule to never accept and use USB drives from other people. There is no way of knowing the contents of such a drive without sticking it in your laptop. Even if you carry out a virus scan, antivirus programs can never be 100% efficient.
All college students should take steps to protect their laptops from malware. Some effective ways of ensuring Internet security goal include avoiding file-sharing sites, never opening email attachments from untrusted sources, avoiding unsolicited popup messages, and never accepting USB drives from other people.
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Ryan Ayers is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to education. In this article, he offer tips of laptop safety and aims to encourage further study through Norwich University Information Assurance Degrees.