Avoiding Malware / Spyware

Top Tips for protecting your system from Mal-ware / Spy-ware.
One of the main and best free tools available to help stop your system being infected is Common-Sense, by laying down a few ground rules and sticking to them you can dramatically cut down the chances of your system being infected.

A few rules to follow, that will help are:

• Do not open email attachments in emails from senders you do not know, or in emails you are not expecting.


• Do not open an email attachment unless you know what it is, even if its from a friend, some viruses will spread through a persons contact list in their email program.


• Remove spam and chain emails instantly do not leave in your in box. Do not click a link in the email to unsubscribe as they will then verify your email address and you may also be infected when clicking the link.


• Only download files when on the Internet from legitimate and reputable websites. Be aware that downloading free music,mp3's, games, software or videos from p2p file sharing sites is very risky due to virus attachments and spyware, as well as being illegal.


• Make sure you update your software regular, software like your Operating System, anti-virus software and your firewall.


• Phishing is a scam that attempts to acquire confidential information such as credit card numbers, personal identity data, and passwords by sending out an e-mail that look like they have come from a real company. If you receive an e-mail announcing that your account will be closed, that you need to confirm an order, or that you need to verify your billing information, do not reply to the e-mail or click on any links.
  Your bank, pay-pal, eBay, or other major companies will not send you an email asking for personal data if you are in doubt telephone the company in question do not click any links in the email.


• Check your bank and credit card accounts regular to make sure nothing untoward is going on. Also try and get a credit report regular, this way you can check if anybody is using your personal information to obtain credit.

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