Just like humans, computers can also pick up illnesses. The signs and symptoms of an illness are somewhat the same for both. Just as with you, when you are not feeling 100%, your computer will give off signs and symptoms that it is maybe feeling a little under the weather. Computers are capable of running certain numbers of operations at any given time, which is generally the software that is running on your computer.
If your computer seems a little slow in loading programs, is making a lot of fan noise, is producing screen pop-ups that seem out of place and things do not seem to be running like they normally do, it’s possible that your computer has bugs. Malware and viruses are created to exploit your computer and make it do things that it normally wouldn’t do, such as sending spam, stealing information such as banking details, or to make you pay for things you didn’t need to.
People who create these viruses to exploit you through your computer are clever and constantly changing their approach. To help keep your computer in tip-top condition it is worth seeking professional advice.
Below is a list of handy tips to keep you safe from some of these predators.
Shop Smart
As more and more shopping moves away from Main Street and to the Internet, it’s crucial you exercise the same amount of caution online as you would when buying from a local store.
The Government’s Cyber Security Awareness Week campaign lists 10 handy tips to help you avoid being caught out when shopping online:
- Install and update your security software and set it to scan regularly
- Turn on automatic updates on all your software, particularly your operating system and applications
- Use strong passwords and different passwords for different uses
- Stop and think before you click on links and attachments
- Take care when buying online - research the supplier and use a safe payment method
- Only download "apps" from reputable publishers and read all permission requests
- Regularly check your privacy settings on social networking sites
- Stop and think before you post any photos or financial information online
- Talk with your child about staying safe online, including on their smart phone or mobile device
- Report or talk to someone if you feel uncomfortable or threatened online
Scam Smart
That email alerting you to $10,000 in your name is most likely a hoax. Especially when it requests that you supply usernames or a password so funds can “be deposited immediately in your account.” Spelling errors are typical in such hoax emails.
Yet so many people still fall for these types of scams, mainly because fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated ‘phishing’ methods to dupe customers.
Banks will never ask for your banking details, PayPal rarely asks you to sign in for no reason. If you get an email that appears it's from your bank, PayPal or any other online service you use, it's usually a hoax.
You can sometimes hover you mouse (without clicking) over any links in the email and you'll notice in the bottom bar of your browser that the website address most likely shows up as a going to a different website completely.
Email providers are getting better at spotting and blocking these emails and usually provide a warning or send them to spam, but some still slip through the cracks so it's important to be vigilent and never give out your details to anyone asking in a random email.
Defend Smart
A Trojan is malicious software installed onto a computer that can extract personal and financial information, often without you knowing. It's essential to protect yourself against such threats with up-to-date antivirus software and by not opening any attachments from people you don't know (and sometimes even people you do). Especially if the attachment is a .zip or .exe file.
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