Online Activities
Even if you’re careful, everyday online computing can compromise your computer security. In fact, nine out of 10 PCs connected to the Internet are infected with spyware.* (Download a free scan to see if your computer is one of them.) Through seemingly harmless computing activities, like e-mail, surfing or sharing files, spyware and other types of malware can attach to your computer. These unwanted programs may start watching your computing habits right away, or they may wait, triggering covert activities later.
When you accidentally open a spam e-mail message or attachment or respond to a seemingly harmless instant message you are putting your PC at risk. Not all threats are in obvious spam e-mail, some of them travel in jokes, videos and files passed around unknowingly by friends. Here is a recent case in the news. Everyday communication computing can expose you to malicious threats like spyware and computer viruses. Learn how to recognize common dangers, find e-mail security solutions and stay safe online.
Common computing tasks, such as looking up driving directions or visiting a media-supported Web site for the latest headlines, can compromise your computer security. We’ll help you become wiser about common dangers, more knowledgeable about Internet safety and solutions and less vulnerable to threat tactics.
If you use the Internet, you probably share music, files or photos and enjoy free downloads of media players or games. Remember that file sharing takes place for forwarding e-mails as well. Online computing can leave you vulnerable to malicious spyware and other threats. Arm yourself with the latest information on dangers, remedies and tactics for safe file sharing online.
*State of Spyware Report
Many attacks rely on deceiving you in order to complete their crimes. Phishing e-mails that try to get you to provide personal information are the most well known, but hackers are also spamming e-mail messages that purport to be a Microsoft security updates. The phony e-mail only contains malicious code to infect unwary users who open the message and click on any links or attachments. Some spyware even represents itself as system warnings/alerts about spyware, even appearing as an anti-spyware company to get you to pay them money to download even more malicious spyware. Learn more about so called "Rogue Anti-spyware".
