You Must Know Some Myths and Facts on Computer Security

Myths and Facts on Computer Security

When we browse the Internet and share information through a portable device such as a memory card, we know that we are exposed to some malicious files such as viruses or in the case of the Internet, downloading any type of content that may affect the operation of the computer, In some cases, we allow our personal information to be exposed and for this, we must know what measures are really useful and effective.

We all know keeping our information is so safe so using a software that gives us total security is the most important thing we need.

A summary was recently shared about practices that are not truly effective or situations that the user might think are not risky.

6 Myths About Computer Security

Myth-1: Shopping on The Internet.

Belief: If I don't buy products or contract services on the Internet, I cannot become another victim of cybercrime.

Reality: Even people who do not shop or bank on the Internet can be affected by cybercrime. A single visit to an infected website, or even a virus-free website, but with an infected ad banner, is enough for your computer to be infected by an illegal activity software the program, such as a bot or a Trojan Horse.

Myth-2: Sharing Passwords with My Family Is Safe.

Belief: It is not risky to let other people use my equipment, or share my passwords with them, as long as they are members of my family or very trusted friends.

Reality: Anyone can be the victim of an attack on the Internet. Cybercriminals use automated tools to send millions of fraudulent emails in hopes of finding a small number of vulnerable victims. They don't care who has paved the way for them to infect a computer, be it an adult or a child, as long as they are fooled and make a mistake. Cybercriminals act fast, and the smallest mistake is enough to open Pandora's Box. It is preferable not to share your passwords, not even those for accessing the computer.

Myth-3: I'm Not Famous, No One Will Steal My Identity.

Belief: The Internet is so big that I shouldn't worry about things like identity theft. The probability of me becoming a victim is minimal unless I am a public figure or a famous person.

Reality: Automated bot programs constantly search the Internet for new victims they can infect. Even if you are not famous, or try to remain inconspicuous online, this relentless variety of illegal activity software will put your computer's security to the test. In addition, the volume of fraudulent phishing emails that are sent every day is so high that it is very likely that, sooner or later, you will receive a false message ... Although users who use the Internet frequently have a greater chance of becoming victims, anyone who uses the Internet is exposed to threats.

Myth-4: I Already Have a Firewall, I'm Safe.

Belief: I am protected against identity theft on the Internet if I have a firewall that blocks intruders, hackers, and criminals.

Fact: Firewall software is an excellent first step in protecting your computer, but it is only the first line of defense. In fact, software alone is incapable of fully protecting you against online identity theft, as today's attacks can incorporate a psychological facet and trick the victim into revealing sensitive information rather than exploiting a flaw of the software.

Myth-5: Photos Are Virus-Free.

Belief: Not all programs are risky: For example, it is impossible for photos to contain harmful codes.

Reality: Many of the recent software problems are caused by attackers sending attack codes embedded in image files, such as photographs, to victims. The attack occurs when the victim is browsing the Internet or reading an email and comes across a web page or a message containing the contaminated photo: Upon viewing the photo, the attack code is executed and infects the victim's computer with illegal activity software.

Myth-6: If I Don't Use Windows, I'm Safe.

Belief: People who don't use Microsoft Windows is safe. Criminals prey on Windows users because they are easier prey, while leaving Linux and Mac users alone.

Fact: While Microsoft Windows users are without a doubt the Internet users who receive the most attacks, people using other operating systems or software are not immune from software flaws or fraudulent attacks. Recent Mac virus cases, for example, show that choosing other software is not enough to eliminate the risk of an online attack. Furthermore, many of today's attacks, such as phishing, work regardless of the software package being used.

How You Can Protect Your Devices from Malware?

How to Protect from Malware?

“Malware” - short for “Malicious Software” - describes computer programs that infect a legitimate computer and thus cause damage in various ways. Malware can infect computers and other devices through a variety of methods and can come in different forms, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, or spyware. Therefore, users need to know how to recognize and protect themselves from the various forms of malware.

So what is malware? Malware comes in a wide variety of forms. Computer viruses are probably the most popular form of malware. They are called "viruses" because they spread through copies of themselves. Worms have similar properties. Other types of malware get their name from their actions: Spyware (short for "spy software"), for example, conveys personal information such as Credit Card Numbers.

A Criminal Business

After “What is malware?” The question must be: “Who is developing it and why?” Because the days when most malware was still programmed by young jokers are long gone. Most malware today is developed and used by professional criminals.

These criminals use a variety of sophisticated tactics. How Public CIO reports, cybercriminals encrypt example, in some cases, computer data and then require the user a ransom to recover the data.

However, the greatest risk for regular computer users is the theft of online banking data, e.g. Bank and credit card details and passwords. The criminal hacker who steals the information can then use it to rob your account or pile up bills on your behalf. Alternatively, he can also sell your account information in illegal markets where confidential information is traded for large sums of money.

Protection Against Malware

Let us now address the most important question: "How can I be sure that there is no malware on my computer or in my network?"

There are two answers to this: vigilance and security tools. One of the most popular ways to spread malware is through email. These are often structured to look like a notification from a well-known company, a bank, or look like a personal message from a friend.

Be careful if an email prompts you for your password. Or when e-mails supposedly come from friends, but there is no real message in it - just a “Hey, take a look at this cool website!” And a link.

Vigilance is the first line of defense against malware, but it is not enough. Business security isn't perfect, and even downloads from legitimate sites can sometimes contain malware. This means that even the most cautious user will need additional protective measures.

What Is Virus Protection?

Malware protection provides a second important barrier for your computer or network. A powerful antivirus software package is the key component of any technological defense that any computer system, whether used commercially or privately, should have.

Reliable antivirus is characterized by various features. The product will check any newly downloaded programs to make sure that they do not contain malware. It scans the computer regularly to find and remove malware that has found its way. It is updated regularly to identify any current threats.

Good antivirus protection can also detect previously unknown malware threats and warn you about them based on common technical characteristics of malware, such as trying to hide on the computer. Also, reliable antivirus programs detect suspicious websites and warn the user about them. This is especially true for websites designed for “phishing” - a technique in which users are tricked into entering passwords or account numbers.

The last important quality of good malware protection is usability. Effective antivirus software must be easy to download and install, and it should not require a Ph.D. in computer science to operate. Based on the quality criteria listed above, choose and install anti-virus software.

In particular, reliable malware protection ensures the security of your finances. These solutions protect your account data and also provide tools for password management - so that you do not neglect this essential security component due to frustration with forgotten passwords.

No protection is perfect. However, a combination of personal vigilance and reliable security tools ensure that your computer is as protected as possible.

7 Most Effective Ways to Fight Ransomware | Total Security

Effective Ways to Fight Ransomware

A few years ago, cybercriminals found a new way to make money from their criminal practices.

Instead of spreading viruses that simply destroyed systems and data, they invented ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts or blocks access to the victim's data and asks for money to make it available again.

Ransomware took many cybersecurity professionals by surprise, exploiting vulnerabilities they didn't know existed and seriously compromising their organizations' critical information. A single vulnerability in an IT network is enough to compromise tons of sensitive data. In this sense, ransomware affects not only the reputation of the organizations but also their finances.

The main target for ransomware attacks is businesses - the bigger the better. Because they generally have more financial resources and better terms to pay a ransom than individuals. But nobody is safe as any computer, tablet or phone can be infected. Yes, phones too!

The most common way of spreading ransomware is through email. Usually, the infection appears to be associated with what appears to be legitimate messages. These messages prompt the user to click a link or download an attachment that spreads the malware. Attackers typically send massive messages to millions of email addresses.

Malicious websites and social media messages are also common methods of spreading ransomware.

Ransomware victims find that they have been attacked when they cannot access their files. The attackers give anonymous instructions to pay the ransom and recover the compromised information. Regardless of whether the ransom is paid or not, the attackers have access to the victim's data and always try to extract useful information from it.

Once the attack is committed, the victim must deal with the fact that all sensitive data has been compromised. This can include usernames and passwords, payment information, email addresses, and much more.

One word sums up the best strategy for combating ransomware: prevention. Only if you take the necessary preventative measures can you recover from a ransomware attack, or better yet, simply avoid being attacked. We have put together a checklist of preventive measures you can take to fight ransomware effectively.

1)   Be Very Careful with Email Attachments

Your antivirus software should warn you of any suspicious email attachments you receive. Do not rely on it blindly, however, as email messages can easily be disguised as legitimate notifications from your bank, credit card company, or other trusted source, even a colleague or friend.

Before opening a file attached to a message, verify the return address, not just the sender name, as this can be forged. Check that the domain name (the part after the @) of the address is what it should be. If it's a strange name with no meaning, discard the message immediately.

The most dangerous attachments are application components such as exe files (executable files) or DLL files (dynamic link library). So pay special attention if you see any of these files attached to a message. Any file type associated with an application that opens it automatically is potentially dangerous. So, good advice is never to double-click the attached files. Always save it in a folder and then use an antivirus application to check it.

2)   Do Not Click a Link that Appears in An Email Body

Once you do, it might be too late.

If you absolutely have to click on this tempting link, move your mouse pointer (if you're using a computer) to see where the link will really take you. If you're using a phone or tablet, you can tap and hold the link to see the actual URL after the link.

If it doesn't match the link text, don't follow it, and discard the tricky message.

3)   Be Careful with Unknown External Drives or USB Sticks

If you need to copy files from an external storage device that someone gave you, don't let it do anything automatically when you plug it in.

Ask about the location of the files you need and copy them (and don't copy anything else) to a temporary folder on your device where you can scan them for malware before using them. The same caution applies here as with e-mail attachments: do not double-click the files or let them open or play automatically.

4)   Play It Safe on Social Networks

Ransomware can spread through social networks as quickly as a zombie infection. We all love to share any content we like with our friends. We do this with good intentions, but sometimes it can be an irresponsible way of spreading malware.

If a friend of yours sends you a link to something you need to download, install, or watch, be careful: your friend may already be infected and it is the ransomware that is trying to trick you into opening a door so that it can get into your door system.

Check out everything you get on social networks. Something as innocent as watching a video of kittens playing with puppies could cost you a fortune.

5)   Keep Your Software up To Date

It is important that all software you use is from reliable sources and that the latest updates are always installed. Reading change logo (“what's new” screens or documents) can be a hassle, but it provides useful information about what the developer has done to fix security issues and fix vulnerabilities.

Read them carefully to understand what problems they solved.

6)   Make Sure You Have a Good Antivirus and Firewall

Read reviews and comparisons to make sure you're installing the best antivirus and firewall for your devices.

Well-designed antivirus utilities should remove ransomware as soon as it tries to invade your system. Modern antivirus utilities provide some form of behavior monitoring. Some of them do not look for known threat patterns, only observe malicious behavior. This behavior-based technique is becoming more common as it proves its effectiveness.

Some security utilities try to prevent ransomware attacks by denying unauthorized access to certain locations, such as the desktop or the documents folder of a computer. Any attempt to access an unknown program triggers a warning to the user with the option to allow or deny access.

Below are some of the best options.

Malwarebytes - probably the best anti-malware for Windows, MAC, Android, and iOS.

Protegent Total Security - Advanced Internet Security Protection for Desktop and Laptop.

Some security utilities try to prevent ransomware attacks by denying unauthorized access to certain locations, such as the desktop or the documents folder of a computer. Any attempt to access an unknown program triggers a warning to the user with the option to allow or deny access.

7)   Back up Thoroughly

Many people find it too late that they don't have a proper backup strategy. The typical problems with backups are damaged media, damaged backup data, difficult recovery procedures that take too much time, or too many people to perform between others.

If you discover the backup problems after a ransomware attack, your backups may be unusable. A solid backup strategy should allow you to reset the time to a specific date and reset your data to that date. You need to know the exact date the infection started and then restore it from a backup earlier than that date.

A reliable data backup must be coupled with a fast recovery process. It is also important that a data backup provides detailed and easy recovery of files so that you can get back to your data in a short amount of time.

If you don't want to deal with backup schedules, media, rotation, and other issues, consider a cloud backup service. There are a variety of online backup providers with an even wider range of options and prices. Remember that the service you are paying for removes many concerns and avoids many risks.

What if It All Fails?

Even if you take every necessary measure to prevent malware from entering your system, nothing can guarantee that it will not happen. What to do if your device gets infected

First of all, you should isolate the infected device. Disconnect it from the internet and from any network - wired or wireless - it could be connected. Second, you should create a clean backup and restore the infected computer to its last known "good" state. Do not reconnect the previously infected device to the Internet or any other network until you are sure that the infection is gone.

Users of Hacked Online Services Are at Increased Risk | Total Security Software

A new study by F-Secure, “The Walking Breached”, shows that people who use hacked services are at a significantly higher risk of falling victim to cybercrime. For users with children, the probability is even higher. Sadly, the number of "The Walking Breached" is growing every day.

The fact that users of hacked services, especially if they are parents, are far more likely to be affected by cybercrime should be a wake-up call. Securing not just your own devices and accounts, but the devices and accounts of all family members should be an immediate priority.

Vulnerabilities Fuel Crime

In a recent survey by F-Secure, 18% of respondents - almost one in five - knew that they used one or more online services that had been hacked or had security breaches. * Although this is only a fraction of all Internet users It seems that cybercrime is much more prevalent among respondents who know they are using breached services: 60% of these respondents, or 3 in 5, said they had experienced one or more types of cybercrime in the 12 months prior to taking the survey compared to just 22% of the other respondents.

The dynamics of a phenomenon known as “ account takeover ” can help explain why injured users experience more crime. Once the credentials are known, attackers can begin a process called “ credential stuffing ” to try on tens of thousands of accounts with very little effort. If they manage to take over the account, they can then begin monetizing it through various forms of fraud known as identity theft.

People who reuse their credentials are at greater risk of an account takeover. Each leaked credential becomes something that criminals can easily use to generate more and more profits. And by gaining access to less secure accounts, such as B. a photo editing site, criminals can use the exact same credentials to take control of much more valuable accounts, such as B. Online payment or streaming apps. For example, criminals are just about to cram much of the 1.9 million Pixlr user data from the Pixlr photo editing site that went online last month into every available online service and discover that a lot of these credentials are working perfectly.

Although good password advice has been around for nearly a century - use strong, unique passwords for all accounts stored in a trusted password manager - too many users make the cybercriminals' lives easy. 41% use the exact same passwords for different online services. 59% reuse passwords with slight variations.

Parents Suffer More from Data Breaches and Cybercrime

Unfortunately, one reason the risks associated with using the internet are increasing is having children, as the report shows.

People with children who participated in the survey were more likely to have been affected by a security breach, 22% compared to 19% in the general population. They were also more likely to have reported some type of cybercrime in the 12 months prior to taking the survey - 36% compared to 23% of those without children. People with children were more likely to experience almost every type of cybercrime addressed in the survey than their childless counterparts. And parents who knew of at least one broken account were 70% more likely to be victims of cybercrime than injured users in general (60%).

Some ways that put parents at higher risk include:

·         You have less time to worry about security measures, which include tactics like using a strong, unique password for all accounts and storing them in a trusted password manager or locker.
·         Parents simply have more things to secure - not just their own devices and accounts, but those of their children as well. And getting children to follow safety advice is often not easy.
·         With children, you have a larger digital footprint and are more likely to have personal information leaked online.

One of the challenges of being a good parent can be teaching a child to share their data. However, sharing online is not necessarily caring. This includes sharing passwords between accounts and between family members - or anyone else.

How to Avoid Becoming One of The Walking Breached

The Walking Breached shows how internet users literally get stuck between tree and bark. They rely on online services for much of their lives, and they need to trust that these services keep their personal information safe. The report includes several recommendations for protecting accounts before and after a break-in, including:

1.    Make an effort to use strong, unique passwords.
2.    Do not give out any private information.
3.    Whenever possible, go beyond passwords with 2-factor authentication.
4.    Monitor the integrity of your personal information by using a trusted service to track whether your information has been disclosed online.
5.    Keep track of your accounts by reviewing your bank statements and turning on any alerts offered by financial institutions.
6.    Don't underestimate the risk of threats, as accounts can be opened quickly and forgotten just as quickly.

People need to be aware that no one will do more to protect their data Herself To prepare for the worst -. A breach of personal data - must be the best possible steps taken to block personal information and the accounts in which that information is stored. Find advanced security software like Protegent Total Security Software to keep you protected from the fraudster.

Reboot 2021: Tips to Avoid Malware Infection | Antivirus

This is the first part of our blog series “New Start 2021”. The collection of tips and guides is designed to help you redesign cybersecurity for your private data and devices from scratch.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to think again about how to lay the foundations for an even safer year.

In the context of cybersecurity, this could mean abandoning convenient but risky log-in habits, thinking more carefully about what to click on, and finally running the updates that have been clicking away for a long time.

Would you like to finally tackle your cybersecurity? In this article, we'll show you how to keep your devices safe from malware in 2021 as well.

1. Think First, Then Click

Unfortunately, it is what it is: When it comes to cybersecurity, you are the weakest link in the chain. Phishing uses human habits and so-called social engineering to trick you into clicking exactly the wrong thing. It is responsible for 31 percent of all cybersecurity incidents and will remain the greatest threat for the next few months as attackers increasingly attempt to exploit the global switch to the home office.

Don't be fooled in 2021 and think twice before you click. Here are a few more useful tips to help identify phishing scams :

·         Hover your cursor over the link to see if the URL matches the text that appears.
·         Enter web addresses manually instead of clicking a link.
·         Do not open any attachments to e-mails that have been sent to you without asking.
·         Install an anti-phishing extension such as Emsisoft Browser Security in your browser.
·         Let the (alleged) sender of the e-mail confirm unusual inquiries again by phone or chat.
·         Be careful when using language that conveys a sense of urgency.
·         Be careful with emails that do not address you by name.

2. Apply Updates

Many types of malware exploit security holes in your applications or operating system. To fix known vulnerabilities and to protect their users, software developers regularly publish updates, which should then be applied as soon as possible.

Even if these repeated messages can be annoying, your software must be always up to date. This is the only way to keep your device safe and the risk of malware infection as low as possible.

3. Install a Good AV Solution

There are quite a few good antivirus and anti-malware solutions available in the market. So take the time to think about what you need. Also, read the various reviews and install a few trial versions (but not at the same time) to get a feel for the product in question.

If you are looking for a fast, reliable, and user-friendly solution, give Protegent Antivirus a free test to see if it suits you.

4. Protect Router

By making sure that all of your devices have an Internet connection, the router is arguably the most important piece of equipment in your household. Here are some tips to keep it safe:

·         Update firmware: Router manufacturers publish updates to the firmware (the software required for the router to function) to fix bugs, introduce new functions, and improve the security of the router. Some modern routers can update their firmware automatically, but we recommend that you regularly check the router settings for updates and install available patches.
·         Change default login credentials: Most routers ship with the same default user name (“admin”) and password (“password”). Such login data can of course be cracked easily. So be sure to change these to make them more secure.
·         Change WiFi password: Start the new year with a new WiFi password. You will then have to reconnect all of your devices, but this will also disconnect any illegal connections to the network. Always use WPA2 or better encryption for even more security.
·         Deactivating WPS: Via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), devices can be connected to the network by simply pressing a button or entering a PIN. So theoretically anyone can gain access to the network who also has access to your router. PINs, in turn, are much more vulnerable to brute force attacks than alphanumeric passwords. Unless you need the WPS for a very specific reason, it is best to deactivate it.
·         Deactivate remote access: Many modern routers offer the option to manage them remotely while on the move. If you don't have a specific use for it, deactivate this option to reduce the risk of compromise.

5. Stay Away from Pirated Copies

Pirated copies represent a major security risk - quite apart from the serious ethical implications, which we will not go into any further here. Statistics on this are limited, but pirated software is usually infected with malware such as password-stealing Trojans, ransomware, and cryptojackers.

Use 2021 to take off your eye patch and drop your anchor back in a safe harbor. Make the ship clear by formatting your device and installing only legal applications. There are many free, open-source applications and tools (be it for work or productivity) that have functionality similar to purchase programs. Thanks to the increasing popularity of the free-to-play model, there is now a large selection of excellent games for gamers that you don't have to pay a cent for.

6. Remove Unnecessary Applications

Over the years, your computer and mobile devices are sure to have accumulated numerous applications that you will never use. Now is the time to get rid of this. Software that is not updated or configured incorrectly is often used as an entry point by malware. So by removing the applications, you don't need, you not only free up memory but also reduce the risk of infection.

The free space created by uninstalling the applications you no longer need will be cleaned up the longest if you only install software that you actually need. Read the dialog boxes that appear during installation carefully to avoid accidentally installing potentially unwanted programs. And be careful with free software: if you don't pay, you might be the product.

7. Activate 2FA Whenever Possible

Say goodbye to one-factor authentication and use two-factor authentication (2FA) instead whenever possible.

2FA is a simple and powerful way to add even more protection to your accounts. With this method, you not only need a password to access your account but also a second type of identification, such as a verification code, a PIN, a hardware token or a biometric pattern.

Even if attackers manage to install keylogging malware on your device and gain access to your login data, they will not be able to access your 2FA-protected account without the second authentication method.

8. Secure Intelligent Devices

More and more devices in our homes are connected to the internet these days. While this can be extremely convenient and useful, any internet-enabled device is also a potential target for malware threats.

Here are some tips on how to secure your smart devices:

·         Use network segmentation to create a separate network specifically for the intelligent devices to prevent attacks from spreading to more important devices such as your computer or smartphone.
·         Change the default passwords on all of your internet-enabled devices.
·         Install software and firmware updates as they are released.
·         Protect your router with the measures described above.

9. Use an Anti-Virus Solution with A Cloud-Based Management Platform

According to Deloitte figures, there are an average of eleven internet-enabled devices in a US household today. Managing the security of each individual device individually can become very confusing. So if possible, look for a cloud-based solution that allows you to manage all the devices in your home through a single portal.

The protection solutions from Emsisoft, for example, all come with the powerful and user-friendly Emsisoft Management Console. With this clear platform, you can conveniently remotely manage the AV software on all your devices. It is the most efficient way to protect all your family's devices from malware in 2021 as well.

Since remote work and distance learning will not disappear from our everyday lives in the near future, it is all the more important to ensure a high level of cybersecurity. If you implement the measures described in this post, you have already taken a big step in the right direction to secure your home network and protect your devices from malware.