The most important step is to learn to be skeptical and suspicious. Yeah, nice advice, right? But it's true. There are a lot of people who write malicious software and are very savvy about psychology and what's called social engineering. There're the people who trick you into doing something that seems innocuous and actual ends up having a really bad consequence.
As an example, there are a lot of programs you can download that change the shape, size or image associated with your cursors on a Windows system, and plenty of others that are handy toolbars for your Web browser. Seems safe, right?
They're not. In fact, my Dad's computer got so badly overridden by viruses due to him naively installing a program that promised his cursor would become bigger and then brought a ton of viruses and malware onto the system that we ended up replacing it with a new computer. Really. It was easier and cheaper to get a new unit on sale than to spend the dozens - or hundreds - of hours required to scrub it clean of the infection.
And those browser toolbars? They can be just as much a problem. Think about it: they're going to track every single Web site you visit, every keystroke, every mouse click. Imagine one looked for credit card numbers, or login/password sequences. Yeah, not so smart.
The solution is to be really leery about installing additional utilities and helper apps on your computer. If it's a critical add-on, make sure you scan it and backup your data just in case. If it's not, then learn to use the standard tools included in your OS, whether you're Mac or PC.
Add tablets, smartphones, desktop vs. laptop, home vs. office systems, email attachments, and the zillion other complexities in our technological lives and it's daunting. There are a lot of risks. The smart thing to do, therefore, is to install some software that helps you not make dumb or naive mistakes and to also train yourself to do good backups and skip all those popular apps, add-ons and cute tweaks to your OS.
If you're like me, you're hooked on your smartphone, tablet, maybe even your laptop. What is your best tip for keeping all of your devices protected? Comment below and you'll be entered to win a $400 Amazon gift card from Kaspersky Lab.
One way to protect all of your devices is with Kaspersky ONE Universal Security. Download your
FREE trial today.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kaspersky. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.If you're like me, you're addicted to your smartphone, tablet, maybe even your laptop. What is your best tip for keeping all of your devices secure? Comment below and you'll be entered to win a $400 Amazon gift card from Kaspersky Lab.
One way to protect all of your devices is with Kaspersky ONE Universal Security. Download your FREE trial today.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kaspersky. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.
If you're like me, you're addicted to your smartphone, tablet, maybe even your laptop. What is your best tip for keeping all of your devices secure? Comment below and you'll be entered to win a $400 Amazon gift card from Kaspersky Lab.
One way to protect all of your devices is with Kaspersky ONE Universal Security. Download your FREE trial today.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kaspersky. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of KasperskyLab. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.
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