In these occasions when we normally speak about the security of our national borders, probably much more thought must be provided to a thing that labors under a additional continuous threat of assault: your laptop or computer.
As a personal computer technician, my opinion of most file sharing programs is pretty low. Most of them have handful of computer system safety alternatives, if any. In addition to that, a lot of personal computer safety businesses (including Symantec, makers of the well-known Norton Antivirus application) have confirmed that numerous P2P applications include spyware. And if you have a broadband connection, you happen to be even much more vulnerable than dial-up customers to download a virus.
However, I feel I ought to supply a couple of suggestions to these brave souls who continue to use file sharing programs, regardless of the ever-present possibility of downloading a virus that can remotely manage your pc, transfer your personal info to a third celebration, or just delete your entire challenging drive.
Here’s a list of the 10 greatest recommendations you can follow to cut down your possibilities of obtaining a virus when you engage in ‘traditional’ file sharing. I’ll break the guidelines into 3 sections: what to do ahead of you download the file sharing software program, what to do just after you download it, and what to do throughout your use of the software program.
Of course, it’s not possible to get rid of any possibility of having a virus. But if you take a couple of precautionary actions, you may prevent some major troubles.
Ahead of you download any file sharing software program…
10 – Use anti-virus application AND anti-spyware applications
Hackers are having smarter (and sneakier), and some viruses can go undetected by the ideal programs. That’s why it really is significant to have multi-level help with two or much more security programs. You will be covered if you have a very good anti-virus program, a excellent adware system, and a excellent firewall program, in addition to what ever firewall protection your operating system came with. Run the applications weekly, regardless of whether you notice a difficulty or not! If you use a lot more than 1 lock on your front door, use extra than 1 for your Computer.
9 – Back up your personal computer Just before installing any new application
Let’s assume that the computer software you program to set up has a lot more viruses than an outhouse! If you will need to restore your computer system to its pre-software program settings (following you delete the system, of course), then you must back up your method Before you download any risky computer software. If you have Windows XP, use the Method Restore capacity to make the restoration a small simpler.
eight – Assessment the software program AND its manufacturer prior to you download
There are several anti-virus applications that in fact contain spyware. The principal cause folks download software like that is since they under no circumstances bothered to investigate the application maker or the system itself ahead of they downloaded it. Appear for critiques of the application and the organization behind it, and ask quite a few questions: does the software have advanced security settings, are there happy customers who give it high ratings, has it won any business awards, can it be completely uninstalled when you opt for to delete it? These inquiries must be answered long ahead of you even contemplate downloading a particular plan. (see #6 and #7)
7 – Download all of your computer software from a reliable source
You can stay clear of a lot of heartache by choosing to download your software from a site with a fantastic reputation. Websites like Download.com and Tucows.com each list applications that have been thoroughly tested before they’re produced offered to the public, as well as helpful reviews and suggestions. Like a grade college bully, you should let the nerds do your homework if you are unwilling to do it oneself.
Soon after you download the file sharing application…
6 – Modify file sharing system settings for maximum security
It is astonishing that so couple of customers of file sharing computer software ever bother to evaluation the application settings. By no means use the default application settings since they’re ordinarily developed for the benefit of the community – you frequently get the lowest safety, the slowest download speed, and the fewest search alternatives. Make confident you alter these settings for maximum safety. If the application doesn’t permit you to do that, don’t use it! Downloading P2P software is like inviting strangers into your home – you hope they’ll do the proper issue, but it is up to you to make certain they never do the wrong thing.
5 – Prevent applications and other executable files when file sharing
Despite the fact that it is tempting to download several forms of pc applications (specially .EXE files), you should be careful. They can quickly be modified to include viruses. Downloading files that are well-known (i.e. files that have been downloaded several times, or files that are on a “preferred files” list) can also present complications due to the fact some viruses are programmed to transform its title to that of a more preferred file. For example, a hacker can easily rename a virus from “harddrivekiller.exe” to some thing more desirable, something like “PhotoShopInstaller.exe.” Never let your greed to override your popular sense (see #2 and #three).
4 – Appear for adult and game files elsewhere
Adult files (i.e. files with explicit sexual content material) and Pc game files are the two most likely types of files to include viruses, adware and spyware. Downloading them Anywhere on the web is somewhat risky if you are not familiar with the supply web page, but attempting to get them by means of P2P networks is like playing Russian roulette – you could possibly escape the bullet for a though, but you will get it ultimately.
During your use of the file sharing computer software…
3 – Appear at the file size and kind when you download a file
P2P applications are full of files with inaccurate (and intentionally misleading) file names. But you can generally spot a fake file by making sure the file has a corresponding file size and kind. For instance, most songs (not albums) and books shouldn’t be higher than 10 megabytes (MBs) in size, and they shouldn’t be executable files, either. If you want to download a copy of the Bible, but it’s 15MB in size and it has a .EXE file extension, it is probably a virus, not a book.
Share Files – Read user critiques of each download file
Most people today never comprehend that you can read user critiques of a file prior to you download it. There’s no single file sharing protocol, so I cannot inform you exactly exactly where you must look. But look for any links that say “User Comments,” “File Reviews” or a thing similar, and study what other people are saying about the downloaded file. They can warn you if the file is corrupt, if it has an inaccurate file title or description, contains a virus, and so on.
1 – Be observant about your laptop and its behavior
Has your laptop been acting ‘weird’ lately? Has a new folder or icon appeared on your desktop? Are you unable to access or delete certain folders? These symptoms could be the very first signs that you have a virus. Be grateful that you caught the warning indicators, and act speedily! Delete the file, run your anti-virus and adware computer software, and restore your pre-download computer system settings. Hopefully, you followed guidelines #ten and #9 just before you started to knowledge a issue.
I hope these recommendations are useful to you. As I stated earlier, you are going to always be vulnerable to numerous kinds of viruses when you engage in standard file sharing, regardless of how cautious you are. But, if you adhere to these guidelines, you can considerably lessen any problems you may possibly expertise. Happy file hunting!