Everything about Computer Viruses and Data Theft
There is need to get updated regarding everything
relating to computer viruses because the hackers are active online and most of
the information is hacked through internet. In case, a personal computer,
laptop, mobile or any gadget is connected with internet and the connection is
not secured; the vulnerability of data theft increased significantly. Hackers
are also targeting the free Wi-Fi internet zones and it is better to stay
disconnected from the free Wi-Fi internet zones in order to avoid data theft.
In November 2018, the Maharashtra Cyber Police found a loophole in google maps.
What they found that whenever any person searches the details of any bank, the
google show the details of bank in google maps. The details include address,
phone number of the bank. The google maps allow everyone to change the details.
The banking information is a confidential personal information relating to
account holders. In case, anyone changes the contact number of the bank branch,
he may receive the calls of banking customers who searched the bank branch on
google. As the customer will contact to the person who may be fake; the person
may ask the confidential personal information on part of bank and misuse it.
The use of Google to find out the contact number, is done by numerous people,
here the lesson is, "always use the banking website to find out the
contact number of branch of banks" instead of google it.
How to
stay protected from Computer Viruses?
It is not so easy to get protected
from viruses now-a-days because nearly one million new viruses are being
released every day. Most of the viruses are being viral through cracking
windows PCs and other windows-based devices. Whenever a user opens an infected webpage specially formed to spread ransomware virus file, the browser starts to download that file. When the file runs on the system it provides remote server an access to the system. The wannacry virus infected 2.5 lacs of devices through this method only.
The point of concern becomes, how
to safeguard computer from the viruses? How to improve the protection level of
PCs and mobiles apart from installing anti-virus software? Most of the applets
stealing confidential information from computers and mobiles; it is must to get
protected.
Steps to
safeguard from viruses:
The following ten steps will help to
stay protected from Computer Viruses:
· Installing Anti-Virus Protection Program:
The
first step is to install an antivirus protection program. The anti-virus
continuously monitors, detects, and safeguards the computer from viruses, but
only installing antivirus protection is not sufficient.
· Installing Anti-Spyware Software:
The
second step is to install anti-spyware software. Both the anti-virus protection
and anti-spyware software should be updated at regular intervals.
· Updating Operating System:
The
third step is to update the operating system of the computer at regular
intervals; it may be windows or other operating systems.
· Tight Security Settings:
The
fourth most important step is to tighten the security settings of the browser
so that the websites which are insecure cannot be accessed by the users.
· Software from Trusted Websites Only:
The fifth step
is “Never download any software from non-trusted websites”. Even after
downloading the software, it is must to read its terms and conditions carefully
before installing it on computer.
· Keep Firewall Always On:
The
sixth step is “Never stop firewall” because it is firewall which constantly
monitors internet traffic and hide computer from online scammers.
· Avoiding use of Pen-drives:
The
seventh step is “Avoid use of pen-drive or infected pen-drives on computer”; if
it is required to transfer the files, try to use email.
· Opening of trusted e-mails only:
The
eighth step is “Never download and open the e-mail attachments without
verification from the senders (even if trusted)”. Now-a-days, the hackers try
to send the viruses using the emails of known people or persons already in your
circle. Therefore, it is must to not download and open any email attachment
which is not verified from the sender. However, it is very difficult to adopt
but at least the email from unknown sources must not be downloaded and opened.
· Taking Backup of Disk:
The
ninth step is “Take Backup of data of hard-disk at regular intervals and even
maintain multiple backup sets if possible”. This step will help the recovery of
data if something happened incidentally to the computer.
· Deleting Un-necessary Data:
The
tenth step is “Delete unnecessary data kept inside disk and also delete junk
emails from inbox of email”. If there are files not important to keep, software
backups not required now, or emails in inbox from un-trusted sources then it is
required to delete such files. The spam emails can also be accessed anytime by
the hackers whenever they get accessibility to computer and email id.
How to
ensure protection of computer from viruses?
It is must to stay protected but at
the same time, it is required to check whether the computer is protected or
not. In order to check health of human, usually lab-tests are recommended by
doctors. Precautions are also recommended like what to eat, what to drink, how
much and which exercise to adopt etc. Similarly, for ensuring protection from
computer virus, a computer should also be checked by quick scanning,
full-system scanning, Check Disk, checking spywares etc. at regular intervals.
The computer’s speed should be taken seriously, if the computer has started to
process files slower, then it is must to run the anti-virus protection and
spyware immediately and detect the virus. If no virus or spyware found, then
notice which software is recently installed or updated; because that software
may include the plug-in of spam software. Like the health of human being, which
is ensured by constantly looking at healthy life-style; the computer should
also be monitored for its optimal health.
*Copyright © 2018 Dr. Lalit Kumar. All rights reserved.
Previous : What
is Computer Virus?
References:
https://www.viracure.com/blog/one-million-new-computer-viruses-are-created-every-day/
retrieved on dated 22nd January, 2018.
