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Protecting your computer from viruses

Even though protection is usually one step behind viruses and malware, good computer practices will help prevent infections.  We see computer protection in three levels, and we like using the simile of protecting your computer with protecting your home.

The first level is a good anti-virus program.  There are many anti-virus programs available.  We generally recommend paid, name brand programs that have been around for a few years.  Many of the free anti-virus programs will tell you that your computer has a virus AFTER it is infected.  Most paid anti-virus programs will prevent the virus in the first place.  Even with a good anti-virus program, you may still get infections.  We equate an anti-virus program to an alarm system.   Just because you have an alarm system doesn’t mean you won’t get robbed.

The second level, and most important one, is following good computer practices.  Just like locking the door of your home when you leave, you need to make sure you don’t let the criminals enter your computer.  Stay away from “free” sites.  If you are paying for a service, and then find a “free” service somewhere else, be cautious of that “free” service.  You have Netflix and pay $X/month, but you find a “free” service that has movies that just came out in theaters, you should be cautious of those sites.  You get a strange one line email asking you to open an attachment to check your package information, but you never sent or are expecting to receive a package; you should be cautious.  Basically, use common sense.

The last level is keeping your operating system up to date.  We wrote an earlier article about operating system updates here.  You may want to read it for other important information.  Operating system updates seal holes where viruses can sneak in.  These holes or vulnerabilities bypass all computer security.  Also, they do not require user intervention.  For example, your computer can download an email that has a virus that takes advantage of a vulnerability.  You don’t need to open the email; the virus only requires you to download the email, and this will infect your computer.  You can lock your doors, and put on the alarm, but a vulnerability is a giant whole in your wall for a criminal to walk through.

This is a very simple explanation of basic computer protection.  We will likely expand on these points in future articles.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 201-656-3800 or sales@flashtech.com.