Don’t rely only on Antivirus software to keep your computer virus-free

Updated September 2018:

Antivirus and Antimalware program tests have shown than no software detects and/or disinfects 100% of all viruses and malware. Thousands of new viruses are unleashed each day, and antivirus programs cannot keep up with the new viruses fast enough. With millions of different viruses in the wild, your best defense against getting infected is practicing safe computing habits.

Below are a few tips to help keep you safe on the internet – copied from our FAQ page:

How do I avoid getting viruses and other malware? No security software is going to protect you from all viruses and malware. Changing your behavior is your best defense:

• Be aware of fake software update prompts and security software: While browsing the internet, if you get a pop-up window from an unknown program or website telling you that there are multiple problems with your computer or that you need to update a program, immediately turn off or restart your computer and see if the program returns after your computer is back on. Other buttons that say “No” or “Cancel” and even the red “X” in the upper right corner of the box are often are used to trick you into downloading or installing a malicious program without your consent.

• Never install a program from a website that you didn’t initially seek out. If you get a prompt from a website to add a browser “extension” or allow “notifications” – a large majority of the time that’s in the website’s best interests – not yours.

• Only download or purchase programs from trustworthy websites or retailers – they are generally safe and don’t distribute programs containing spyware or viruses.

• Avoid unfamiliar free downloads such as driver updaters, registry cleaners/optimizers, screensavers, smileys and even fake malware detection programs. The program may be free, but in order to make money the programs often include other malware programs to sell information and get paid by advertisers. These malware programs track information about the internet sites you visit, launch pop-up ads, add search toolbars, change your browser homepage and spy on the things you do on your computer – causing a slowdown in computer performance and a security risk.

• When installing programs, don’t click “next” on each prompt without thoroughly reading and understanding each stage of the installation. Uncheck any optional search toolbars that are often bundled with legitimate software.

• Install Windows Critical Updates and Internet Browser updates when prompted as soon as possible. Many of these patches fix security vulnerabilities that allow malicious programs onto your computer without your consent. Also install updates for other programs that are used by your web browser such as Java, Adobe Reader and Flash Player. For more information see Which updates are safe to install – and which aren’t.

• If in doubt about a particular program, you can do a search on any major internet search site for “[the name of the program]” and “malware” together in a search phrase and see if you get results that show of other people who have had problems with that program installing malicious extras.

• Consider using an alternative internet browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which aren’t as susceptible as Internet Explorer is to getting viruses or spyware through malicious websites.

• Don’t click on links in e-mail messages unless you are sure the link will take you to a non-malicious website. For example, forwarded jokes and other non-commercial messages may contain links to malicious websites.

• Don’t open “executable” e-mail attachments that you are not expecting, or e-mails that are uncharacteristic of the person sending it. Executable attachments include, but are not limited to, the following file extensions: .exe, .pif, .scr, .zip, .vbs, .cpl, etc. If in doubt, call the person who sent you the e-mail attachment and make sure they sent you the message. Some viruses spoof the e-mail address of the sender – so an email may not really be from whom it says.

• If you see something on the internet that sounds fishy or too good to be true – it probably is. Lots of scammers are using the internet to get into people’s homes and wallets to make money.