(UPDATE: We should note that we use the term virus to refer to everything from Adware to Malware to Viruses)
Recently, it seems like several times a week that we get calls from both new and existing customers about a virus. The one that seems most prevalent right now is fake anti-virus programs. These programs often get installed onto your system from a website popup that claims you have 300+ viruses and you need to click to remove. If you try and close the window, you get some ominous message like “ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR SYSTEM INFECTED?” As we tell our customers, if you don’t recognize it, don’t click it. If you are ever unsure about a popup, please feel free to call us and we can log on and have it looked at.
What can you do to help protect yourself? There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting viruses.
- First, get a reputable anti-virus software, wether that means Avast, Symantec, or your favorite flavor (we happen to hate McAfee and aren’t that impressed with Microsoft Security Essentials right now). Not having an anti-virus program is like begging the world to make your computer unusable.
- Second, don’t browse questionable content or download things you shouldn’t. What do we mean by that? Facts are, if you browse pornography, hacking sites, illegal software download sites, and other questionable content, you will get a virus.
- Beware of items being given away for free as posted on your Facebook status. Often, these are another virus that one of your friends has gotten.
- Be cautious of domains other than .com .net .org and other common domains in your country. It seems to be more likely to come on a virus from a .ru than a .com
- Don’t open every attachment and link you get. If someone sends you an email with nothing but a link, contact them and ask about it. I cannot tell you how many people just open every attachment, I would know, I hear from them a lot.
- DO NOT OPEN ANYTHING THAT SAY YOU HAVE A HALLMARK ECARD. These attachments are always viruses. If it does not open on one computer, do not proceed to another computer on the network and open it there also.
Those are some quick tips, but those do not guarantee you will not get a virus, it will just limit the frequency and likelihood of getting one. If you already got a virus and you are at work, unplug the network cable. Many viruses enjoy going through and infecting every file they can get there hands on (like dd.exe). Save your company some headache, unplug and call your technician. If you don’t have a technician, feel free to contact us by clicking here or on contact above