In a span of four years, the number of threats has multiplied

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Ferdinand Arnold
7 years ago
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2 So you ve decided it s time to get an antivirus for your computer. But with so many security solutions available, how do you choose what s best for you? You might be tempted to install a free antivirus. After all, what s better than getting something for free? What you may not know is that free solutions are not always enough to protect your devices against bad guys. Free solutions may be able to detect viruses and malicious files called malware in your computer, but nowadays, malware is just one of the many tools cybercriminals use for their schemes. Depending on free antivirus alone is like locking the door to your bedroom but leaving everything else in your house open. When choosing a security solution, you should look for one that addresses the issues discussed in this e-guide.

Over the years, malware have become more complex, aggressive, and undetectable by antivirus software. This is partly due to cheaper malware tools readily available to cybercriminals.

3 Over the years, malware have become more complex, aggressive, and undetectable by antivirus software. This is partly due to cheaper malware tools readily available to cybercriminals. These tools allow them to increase the number and variety of malware they produce. In a span of four years, the number of threats has multiplied Since more and more people are accessing the Internet through multiple devices, cybercriminals are able to affect a larger pool of potential victims. To protect yourself and your devices, you need a security solution that can keep up with these nasty developments.

4 Malicious websites have also become another way for cybercriminals to reach their victims. Using schemes, cybercriminals can lure you to phishing sites, fake websites designed to steal your information. You can also land on sites that check your computer for software vulnerabilities it can exploit so it can install malware. A visit to a malicious site could also trigger a drive-by download, the automatic download of malware without your knowledge. Free antivirus usually only detect malware and not malicious websites. An ideal security solution should be able to quickly determine if a website is safe, and prevent you from visiting it, if it s not.

5 Given the popularity of social media, it s become typical for people to share a lot of personal information online be it status updates, locations, and photos. However, with the complicated and ever-changing privacy settings of most social networks, you could be sharing more information than you intended. Every detail you post online could be collected to build up a persona and used for identity theft. Your online accounts could also be hijacked by strangers. Oversharing can also have embarrassing results. One wrong post could mean that your boss, your family members, or even strangers will see incriminating or embarrassing posts from you. Your online reputation is important. Go for antivirus products that have built-in social media privacy scanners to help you find and address privacy concerns.

6 Data is money and cybercriminals are not afraid to do anything to get it. In 2012, there was one identity fraud victim every three seconds in the US. Data-stealing malware use different tactics to get your information. They can load phishing sites that mimic your banks login pages. They can also remember everything you type in and send them to the bad guys. Some cybercriminals even created a homemade browser that steals user information. Whether you re banking online or checking out social media, your security solution should protect you from identity and information theft. It should be able to block all forms of attacks, from phishing pages to malware.

7 Since its conception in 1978, the number of spam has grown to 5.4 billion per month in Over one-third of the spam included phishing attacks. Spam contain links that lead you to malicious sites and phishing pages that steal your information. Today s spam is crafted to closely resemble legitimate . Sometimes, the only distinction between a fake and a real message are a few altered links. Aside from looking more convincing, today s spam is used by cybercriminals to infect your computer. Some messages contain attachments that are actually malware in disguise. You should get an antivirus that can detect and block spam before it reaches your inbox. It should also block malicious links and attachments found in spam.

8 A centralized home network of multiple Internet-ready devices requires proper security, since an unsecured network is always vulnerable to threats. Cybercriminals can easily hide behind an unsecure network and use your connection to perform malicious activities. They can also steal data from your networklinked devices or even use your devices to spy on you. Free public Wi-Fi hotspots are also unsecured networks. They may be convenient, but bad guys can use them to steal your information and hijack your online accounts. You can secure home network using an antivirus solution that prevents unauthorized access to and from your home network. You should also choose a product that also checks for the safety of wireless networks and hotspots so you can connect without worry.

9 When selecting a security solution, look for features that go beyond normal malware detection: Bad link detection blocks access to malicious websites Web content filtering allows you to block inappropriate online content Privacy scanning checks for privacy settings that can leave your data publicly available and vulnerable to identity theft Data protection guards sensitive information against phishing and other forms of data theft Anti-spam with virus scan blocks spam and checks for threats in attachments Wi-Fi and home network protection prevents unauthorized network access and validates safe networks and hotspots

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Learn about each tool in parental controls and find out how you can use them to secure you and your family.

Learn about each tool in parental controls and find out how you can use them to secure you and your family. TrendLabs Parental controls are not just for your kids. Online threats, after all, affect everyone. Effective use of parental controls, combined with proper know-how on dealing with online threats, can