While the Internet has provided people with a number of great benefits, including better communication tools and far easier access to information, it has also come with its share of drawbacks for Mac and PC users. Both platforms have been plagued with malware like viruses, Trojans, and even key loggers, which can seriously compromise system security and result in anything from lost productivity to identity theft. These problems are especially painful when personal information is lost, hard disk data is wiped away, and computer users are virtually required to start fresh.
Luckily, those worst case scenarios do not have to become reality if computer users are astute and keep one eye always focused on their computer’s security and the potential occurrence of malware in any form. With a number of procedures and programs, these nasty programs can be avoided entirely. That will save data, productivity, and even money, for most computer users.
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Anti-Virus Programs: The First Line of Defense Against Today’s Malware
The best policy to follow is to always have an anti-virus application installed on any system that has active Internet connectivity, regardless of its operating system. Though the vast majority of malware issues do occur on Windows machines, largely due to their overwhelming share of the market, Mac users should be aware that Trojans and other security vulnerabilities have been known to happen within OS X, and that could pose a real threat. This is especially true for Mac users, as most simply do not run an antivirus solution due to their belief that they are immune from such threats.
Install a highly effective and highly affordable anti-virus solution before anything else is done. The best way to fix a malware application is to simply not get one at all. Prevention is the first line of defense for smart, astute computer owners.
Install Malware Scanners to Catch Threats that Slip Through the Cracks
While an anti-virus program is a great way to stop threats before they even start to turn a system against its owner, they are not the only line of defense that should be employed by Mac and PC owners. Indeed, a malware scanner is designed specifically to weed out the most popular Trojans and malware apps, removing them from the system before they can completely erase data or compromise system security.
These applications are available for Mac and Windows computers, and they actually show exactly what the malicious application is called, where it is stored on the hard disk, and how it will be removed from the system after the scan has been completed. This is a great way to address the problem, as it removes the threat and educates computer owners about exactly how they got the malware on their computer and where it was stored. It can actually help computer users address future threats on their own, saving them time and productivity in the process. Business security solutions are especially useful if they are running computers on a network for this same reason. An IT team can go back and find the origination of a virus and put restrictions on the network to prevent it from happening again.
Keep an Eye on Less Reputable Websites in A Browser’s History
If there are websites that don’t seem familiar in a browser’s web history, there’s a pretty good chance that any malware on the computer came directly from that site. Take note of the domain name and the website’s name itself. Write them down or store them in a text file and be sure not to go back to those sites in the future. With today’s complex websites and applications, it’s actually quite easy for nefarious websites to spread Trojans, key loggers, and other types of malware, simply because users visited those sites for a few moments.
Vigilance is the Key to Success Against Malware
It’s important to pay attention to details and be actively involved in a computer’s security. Doing so will prevent many of today’s most common threats from compromising information, security, and even a user’s identity. By playing an active role in preventing malware, scanning for it, and learning about where it comes from, both Mac and PC users can spare themselves a significant headache.
