Protect Yourself on the Internet
FREE AntiVirus Programs
avast!
AVG
Avira
Microsoft Security Essentials
FREE Malware Detection/Removal Programs
Malwarebytes
Recommended Internet Browsers
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Opera
Safari
Other
RKill (stops processes for easier removal)
Explanation of Terms
In order to protect yourself from malicious programs, you should really become familiar with some of the virus-related terminology. You don't have to become an expert, but it's important that you are able to understand the basics.
AntiVirus Software: These are programs that run in the background all the time. These are your first line of defense against viruses and other malicious scripts. An anti-virus program should be capable of preventing, detecting and removing malware. Generally speaking, AntiVirus software is most useful for the prevention of infection. These programs should prevent you from accessing known dangerous websites, block incoming (harmful) connections, and send any suspicious files to a 'safe' area where you can determine their purpose without allowing them access to your hard drive. While AntiVirus Software can certainly be intrusive at times, and might even slow down your computer's performance, it is absolutely necessary that you run one while you're on the internet. Many of these programs can be configured to best meet your needs.
Malware Removal Software: These programs are NOT antivirus! Malware Removal Software will not protect your computer from acquiring a virus or malware. Malware Removal programs, such as Malwarebytes, are designed to detect and remove malware that already exists on your computer. (Paid versions of this program do offer realtime shields, however, it is still not AntiVirus) These programs are a second resort, should your antivirus fail to successfully remove malware from your computer. Sometimes these programs are more effective against spyware and malware.
Virus: Using the term "Computer Virus" will generally cover all types of malicious programs. Trojans, worms, rootkits, adware, malware and spyware are usually clumped together under this term. (technically, the term Virus applies only to programs that are self-replicating) Computer Viruses, similar to living viruses, are programs, code or script that is designed to disrupt or destroy functions performed by your computer. These are spread over the internet in various ways, or through files transferred via external storage (flash drive, CD/DVD, etc).
Malware/Spyware/Adware: Malware is very similar in definition to Computer Virus. But unlike the traditional computer virus, Malware is designed to exploit functions on your computer for a specific purpose. Most malware is created for the purpose of profit.
The Basic Set-up
In order to best protect yourself, you should be running AntiVirus software, and using a secure browser. For Windows users, I do not recommend Internet Explorer. Firefox is probably the best alternative, especially because of the security addons available. However, Chrome, Opera and Safari are also good alternatives. It is also wise to be running a firewall - Windows comes with its own software firewall - and if you are connected to a router, you are already behind one.
What to Avoid - And How to Avoid It
One of the most popular ways for viruses and malware to be distributed is through advertisements. Graphic banners and pop ups are notorious for this. The best way to avoid this problem is to run a browser or browser addon that will block advertising materials. Firefox and Chrome both have Adblock Plus, which will block almost all advertising. For Firefox, you can find it here. For Chrome, you can find it here.
Aside from protection programs, it's essential that you understand how to handle pop-up advertisements - they are made to deceive you into inviting malware onto your computer. Whenever you encounter a pop-up window, it is extremely important that you never click inside the window. You should only close pop-ups using the "X" in the upper right (or the Red bubble on Mac), or by right-clicking on the window's tab in the taskbar and choosing "Close Window". Do not use any buttons inside of the pop-up window.
Visual Examples:
Along the same line as pop-ups, you need to be aware of a very popular scam. Sometimes, when you are browsing the web, you will receive a pop-up or alert notifying you that your computer is full of viruses. Often, they will say things like "Your antivirus has detected "insert number here" viruses on your computer. Click "accept/okay/remove/etc" button to remove." This trick depends on panic - please, if you ever receive a notification like this, I want you to remain calm, slow down, and think. Please think of how ridiculous this is - has your antivirus program ever performed a scan without your knowledge? If you've run one before, you know how intense they are, how much they slow down your computer, and how long they take. It's extremely unlikely that one could be running without your knowledge. I want you to also to recall what your antivirus looks like when it gives you notifications - it doesn't appear as an internet browser popup.. it doesn't appear as a simple notification window. Should you receive one of these scam notifications, you need to close it in the same manner I showed you above. DO NOT click on ANY buttons within the popup or notification. Clicking on any button there will absolutely download and install malware. Please become familiar with your Antivirus program and how it informs you of things.
Another popular way to distribute malware and viruses is through email. This is not limited to attachments, either. You do not have to open an attachment to acquire a virus through email - please do not be deceived by this urban myth. NEVER open email from an address you do not recognize. It's a common trick for these emails to be sent from email address with generic names, such as "Mary" or "Steve" or "Tim". The hope is that you'll mistake these for people you know. But PLEASE think about it before opening emails of this nature. Try to recall how your the names of your friends usually appear in your email inbox. Even if you know a "Tim", does he know your email address? If so, does his name usually show up this way? Or does it show up as "Timmy" or "Tim Smith", etc? A good way to avoid being scammed is to add people to your address book with nicknames that are easily identifiable.
Of course, you should also never open email attachments if you aren't 100% sure of what they are.
The last method of distribution I'll discuss here is the infamous voluntary download. Quite a lot of us on this forum do a decent amount of downloading, so it's really important that we're cautious. The best advice I can offer to you in this area is to only download from trusted sources. While it's pretty safe to download from links provided on this forum, I definitely do not recommend clicking on any old link you find on the web. Make sure you run your Antivirus protection, and do full scans on a regular basis.
When it comes to protecting yourself on the internet, it's best to remember.. keep a cool head. Remain calm, slow down, and think. Gut reactions are your worst enemy on the web.
