99.9% of the time, any "infection" you may get will be the fault of your own and/or a person accessing your computer. When I say "infection," I mean viruses, Trojans, etc. Downloading unknown/malicious programs and connecting infected devices (USB drives; iPods; etc.) are the main culprits. Even with fairly strict settings on your Internet browser, you are likely going to get positive hits on most (if not all) anti-virus or spyware programs, to some extent. Typically, however, if you examine the results of these hits, 99.9% will simply be tracking cookies from sites you visited. These tracking cookies may share your (typically fairly impersonal) browsing data for marketing purposes.
Some (nefarious) sites may attempt to load cookies that attempt to collect data entered on other sites (such as usernames and passwords) and send to the cookie's creator, potentially resulting in exposure to your personal information. A reputable/known site is not going to
try to collect and share information it does not need. If it did, it would not only quickly lose its reputation, but also open itself up to major litigation. Regardless, even if you come across such a site, if you take the proper precautions, the chance of an "infection" is minimal.
Even if there is a malicious beast hunting
you down, simply being vigilant about the following will keep you safe (in order of importance):
1.
Keep your operating system updated -- Keeping your operating system up to date means keeping up with security updates and upgrades. If you have an out-of-date OS, especially one that is not supported by the manufacturer, you are asking to be in that 99.9% group of people who are just looking for an infection. If you have an very old operating system and are reading this out of a concern for security, please purchase a new operating system. This
might require you to also purchase a new PC; however, pretty damn powerful PCs can be purchased, or even put together yourself, for a few hundred dollars.
2.
Keep your Internet browser updated -- Whether you use IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or whatever, if you are using an out-of-date Internet browser, you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable to infection (
see #1 above). Keep in mind, remaining up-to-date on your Internet browser does not just mean downloading security updates -- make sure your browser is the most current release version.
3.
Use a firewall -- Whether it be software or hardware, make sure you use a firewall when accessing the Internet. In simple terms, a firewall prevents a person/program from scanning the Internet, finding an unprotected/non-firewalled computer and then accessing it. This access may range from installing malicious programs to accessing and controlling your computer.
Generally speaking, if you are connected to the Internet via a broadband connection, there will be a hardware firewall that is in your router/modem. Also, if you have a recent (and updated) operating system, you will have a software firewall (such as with Windows 7, Vista, XP, etc.). However, keep in mind #1 and #2 above. Moreover, if you have an ancient router/modem, you may want to consider an upgrade. This would not only be for security purposes, but after contacting your Internet Service Provider, you may benefit from a significant upgrade in Internet speed at little to no cost.
4.
Limit access to your computer -- From what I have read, most modern computer infections are the result of someone connecting a previously infected device, such as a simple USB thumb drive, to a computer. The device will have a malicious program that will subsequently infect the new host PC (and likely, any other future device connected). Nevertheless, if you follow the aforementioned precautions, such an infection is
less likely to happen.
5.
Be aware of sites visited -- A simple rule. If you are trying to access a site advertising free porn, for instance, there is a greater likelihood the site will "infect" your computer with not only tracking cookies, but potentially malicious code (via Javascript, or similar). If you cannot resist visiting such sites, you can take a few precautions: 1.) Find your browser's options and turn off Javascript and the acceptance of cookies; and 2.) Use your browser's private use function (search the Internet for details; only available on more recent, non-outdated versions of browsers)
The greatest potential for computer infections is a result of not following #4. Most families have multiple computers in which some or all family members have access. Often, this access is not limited, in terms of sites visited or programs able to be installed. In my experience, any resulting "infection" is due to downloading of inadvertent spyware/ad-ware/popups from a "free" game site, after installing a game from the site. However, the greatest potential for infection typically has come from (dare I say) ignorant adults that have unwittingly moved their recent pictures and/or music from a USB thumb drive or iPod to and from a work computer to a home computer.
I am not an computer security expert. I speak only from personal experience and observation. I do believe most precautions should be aimed towards limiting unknown/unwanted access to your computer, if the other precautions are taken, the chance for an infection is significantly lessened. Exceedingly inexpensive and powerful technology continues to become readily available at a truly astonishing rate. Literally millions of pictures can be stored on a device the size of a thumb (hence the name. . .), along with potentially thousands of
uncompressed (
) tracks of audio and/or video on other exceedingly miniscule and portable devices. These devices are often shared between several people, such as co-workers and family members. Such practice has the potential to quickly spread any "infection."
I cannot definitively say whether there is a multitude of anti-virus/anti-spam/spyware programs out of an abundance of ignorance and fear, or a result of people taking extra care. Nevertheless, I do hold the opinion that if the aforementioned precautions are taken, the likelihood of your computer being infected by an actual virus or Trojan horse are miniscule. In spite of this, there is no harm in taking extra precaution. There are plenty of
free and affective antivirus and spyware programs. For a free anti-virus, I personally recommend
AVG free addition. For a
free spyware program, I recommend
Spybot Search & Destroy. Please keep in mind (as with your operating system, Internet browser and firewall), if you do not keep your anti-virus and spyware programs up to date, they will not protect from the most recent threats.
Not to sound condescending, but I believe the best way to prevent computer security problems is a basic understanding of the aforementioned issues. If you are on this site and reading this post, there is no excuse for you not to do simple Internet research into these issues. Explanations on how to update and/or upgrade your operating system, Internet browser, or other software can be found through the use of a common Internet search engine.
If you have
any information on your computer or network you want to keep protected, whether it be personal or business related, a basic understanding of computer security is a must. I, of course, will not
guarantee that if you follow my suggestions and precautions you will be "immune;" nevertheless, your chances for infection would likely only be from someone who is aggressively and specifically seeking
you out. If this is the case, at least you can be at ease knowing you are not in the 0.1 percentile.
Paul
P.S. If there are any general precautions/safety issues I failed to mention in this late hour, please make your suggestion(s). Feel free to do the same with any criticism.
P.P.S. If you or someone else disassembles your computer due to a problem and only discovers a condom, you have clearly not followed #4. . . or you don't understand what "cybersex" actually means. (
Wah, wah, waaaahhhhhhh. . . couldn't resist).
