Computer Security Tip: How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware

About 32 percent of all computers worldwide are infected with computer spyware, which is a term referring to malicious software that can damage computers. If you have a computer, it’s essential that you have a trusted virus and spyware protection installed,

 besides practice safety procedures to protect your computer. Most computer viruses can be prevented, if you know how to protect your computer. Here are some of the main computer security guidelines.

Back Up Your Computer

One of the best ways to recover your computer data is to regularly back it up. When you have a backup copy of all your data you won’t lose your documents, photos and other critical data if your computer crashes or is destroyed or stolen.

Some of the ways to back up your computer data include internal or external hard disks, removable disks, using CDs and DVS and online storage services.

Check Your Firewall

Ensuring you have a firewall helps significantly in preventing computer thieves. It’s really not hard to check your firewall.

• If you have a Windows system, type in “firewall” in the search box on the control panel. Next, check to see if your firewall is connected or on. If so, you’re fine.
• For Mac users, go to your toolbar, clicking on the Apple icon. Then select “system preferences,” and then, “security,” and finally, “firewall.” To be extremely safe, disable file sharing if there’s not a need to have your files seen by other machines in your network.  

Stay Current in Computer Updates  

Often, computer software is vulnerable to viruses simply because users fail to install the most current updates that help avoid virus infection. Therefore, it’s critical that you enable automatic updates for not only Windows, but for also your applications.  

Never Open Unknown Emails or Email Attachments  

If you don’t know the source of an email or an email attachment, don’t open it. To be extra cautious, don’t open an attachment unless you know what it is. Sometimes senders are unaware that their emails or attachments contain spyware. 

What’s more, emails from your contact list can sometimes have hacked accounts. Therefore, don’t open a a suspicious looking email even from people with whom you consistently communicate. Instead, simply delete it. 

Signs of an Infection

Often, after opening and running infected attachments or programs, computer users don’t know they've brought in a virus. It isn't until they notice certain signs that something is wrong.

Common symptoms of computer spyware may include your computer displaying these symptoms, such as slowing down in speed. Infected computers may lock up frequently or fail to respond.

Other red lights include computer applications not working, repetitive crashing and noting strange error messages. Also, you may not be able to use your computer disks or disk drives.  

Unfortunately, sometimes spyware still attacks computers, even when users have taken safety precautions. If you help with your computer problems, please let EnvisionIT Solutions serve you. We repair both personal and business computers. Please contact us.