This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on keeping up with computer threats in the digital age.
Threats to computer systems are constantly evolving and getting more advanced, while also causing more serious problems. In the early days, it was enough to have a basic antivirus program on your computer that would stop viruses and malware from affecting your computer. While this is still an excellent first line of defence, as the threats become more advanced there is an increased level of vigilance needed to stay safe.
While computers are generally what comes to mind when thinking about these types of threats, any connected device carries a degree of risk and can be targeted for an attack. Criminals, hackers and scammers are constantly developing new methods to gain access, steal data and even lock the data on your device and hold it to ransom. The need for safety measures extends from your personal devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers and even smart devices around the home; to the online platforms that you use such as your email account, cloud storage and online banking. With so much of our lives now online, scammers and hackers are regularly targeting the online platforms that people use daily.
While there are a lot of crossovers between the various types of threats that are out there, we have broken them down into a few of the main categories with some information on how to stay protected. While the threats are quite serious and can cause a lot of damage, by following some simple guidelines and best practices you can maximise your protection.
Viruses, Spyware & Trojans
Virus is one of the most commonly used terms people use when speaking about threats to computers and it fits under the broader category of Malware. Malware is short for Malicious Software, this umbrella term includes a range of threats including viruses, spyware, trojans, key loggers, worms and more.
Some viruses have the general goal of causing issues on your system, by deleting data and spreading itself to other computers. In the early days, the computer virus, although malicious, was often made to just cause general mayhem and spread across as many computers as possible. A virus is self-replicating and therefore able to copy itself across local computer networks and even online.
One of the keys of a successful virus is the ability to stay hidden in your system while replicating and causing damage. Many viruses and types of malware are designed to stay hidden indefinitely such as a Trojan which disguises itself as a legitimate program and Spyware which hides in the background, collecting information such as passwords, files, location data or financial information. Adware will even display pop up ads directly on your computer. Some of these programs have a Keylogger which records every press you make on a keyboard and sends it to a third party.
One of the absolute best protections against viruses and malware generally is a good quality piece of anti-virus software. There are plenty of excellent free options out there and some paid programs that offer extra levels of protection. As viruses and the criminal systems behind them get more advanced though, we are seeing malware and viruses designed to steal information, spy through your devices and gain access to secure data. A decent Antivirus software will give you an essential base level of protection.
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Continue reading this series of 3 articles in Part 2, where we take a look at the threat of Ransomware.Â
