Viruses, Spyware and Other Infections Skyrocket
A 2008 F-Secure study reveals what most computer professionals have known for awhile: virus, spyware and other malware infections are skyrocketing. Windows XP Service Pack 2 was supposed to help mitigate and slow such infections, as was Microsoft’s Windows Defender malware protection. But that’s proven not to be the case, and threats are only increasing.
ESET, manufacturer of NOD 32 Antivirus and other Windows security products, states that 15,000 new malware threats arrive each day. That’s 15,000 new threats a day!
The trend is certainly disturbing. F-Secure data (tracked in the above graphic) shows malware infections actually doubled between 2006 and 2007, hitting the half-million mark for the first time ever.
Ensure your computer is protected. Follow these guidelines to help keep your PC safe:
1. Do not indiscriminately click on email links or attachments; ensure you’re confident of a link or attachment’s source before opening it.
2. Do not indiscriminately click links within suspicious Web pages, particularly those found on My Space pages.
3. Avoid the use of peer-to-peer file sharing programs, including Kazaa, Bear Share, Limewire and others.
4. Always maintain licensed copies of current antivirus, antispyware and antirootkit software.
5. Do not rely upon “free” software to protect your PC. While AVG’s free AntiVirus 8.0 software (which includes an antispyware component) is an effective solution, households with teenagers and businesses at high risk of spyware infection should load a second, heavy-duty antispyware application (Louisville’s Computer Troubleshooters office recommends Sunbelt Spyware’s Counterspy product).
6. Ensure your antivirus and antispyware software updates its signatures each day.
7. Ensure your antivirus and antispyware software conducts full system scans weekly (if not more often).
8. Ensure a hardware-based firewall (units are commonly available for less than $50-$75) protects your systems from common Internet-based attacks. Without a competent firewall, the BBC has shown systems connected to the Internet can become compromised within ten seconds!
Have more questions? Contact Louisville Geek at 502-897-7577.
