Even with the scads of information available, even with the numerous antivirus options available to consumers, and even though internet users are inundated with offers for antivirus and anti spyware programs, it seems that some people prefer to take their chances when it comes to infecting their computers. According to the second annual AOL/National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Online Safety Study, fewer than 60 percent of survey participants had antivirus protection software installed on their computers, and those who do fail to update it more than once a week.
Studies show that anywhere from 200 to 600 new viruses and other online infections are released each month, and the NCSA reports that 23 percent of Americans are each month affected by phishing attacks. Additionally, 81 percent of protected computers are not fully protected - very few users have the necessary trio of updated antivirus software, spyware protection, and a secure firewall. According to the survey, however, 83 percent of participants thought themselves secure from online infections.
Viruses, spyware, adware, and other malware all have the potential to pose a serious threat to your computer, not only to the hardware itself but to your personal information and identifying details. A good antivirus security suite should be able to detect and cure viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, malicious code, malware, and keyloggers, all of which can do grave damage to your computer. Updating your software daily and scanning regularly for any unfamiliar or suspicious files on the computer, including archives, email, and instant messages, is also a necessary step in catching and preventing infection.
Due to the sheer number and variety of online threats, it's difficult to keep track of them specifically by name. However, the basic threats you should watch out for are as follows:
Spyware: A program that gathers personal information logged in your computer by noting your internet browsing habits and recording your keystrokes and passwords. It can also hijack your browser settings, redirect your search queries, and transfer any noted information to third parties for the purpose of identity theft.
Virus: Viruses infect the files on the computer and spread by replicating themselves. A virus can also be spread by email, and will automatically mail itself to people in the address book of the account it infects. Though worms and Trojans are not technically viruses, they often fall into the subcategory of "virus." A worm is a piece of software that replicates itself via security holes in networks, infecting vulnerable machines by copying itself and spreading to any other connected, unprotected computer. A Trojan horse is a program that masquerades as a benign application, but actually will damage your computer if you try to run the program.
Adware: Adware generates revenue by displaying advertisements on your screen, offering links to follow that take the user to the advertised website. Third parties then collect money for every hit on that site. Some adware programs gather personal information about you and select ads to display based on your browsing habits.
To be fair, the age of the browser might have something to do with the high instance of computer infection.The NCSA states that homes with children are more likely to have their computers infected by spyware or adware. In fact, more than 69 percent of homes with children under 18 were infected. But don't blame it all on the kids - 58 percent of child-free households had their fair share of spyware and adware infection.
With so many viruses, spyware, and other malware clamoring to infect your computer, it is essential to have in place the necessary preventative tools to catch and eliminate online infections. The fact that so many new threats are released on such a regular basis is not an accident - hackers and the writers of malicious code are targeting those who mistakenly think that using only a firewall or updating once a month will keep their computers safe. Persistence and diligence in keeping your software, updates, and antivirus protections software current can help ensure your information and computer access remain yours and yours alone.
