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How to Spot and Avoid Getting a Computer Virus

VBS IT Services

Unfortunately no antivirus software can protect your computer system 100%. Antivirus is not enough. So how can you avoid viruses such as Ransomware, Crytolocker and spot Phishing scams?

Prevention starts with education and learning​ how to spot suspicious emails, websites and links.

All employees should be aware of best practices when it comes to computer security. For example, not opening suspicious URLs or email attachments. Many companies lockdown certain web sites, so that no one can visit potential threatening sites that could pose a security risk. Making sure that employees are well versed and are on-board with best practices will go a long way in protecting the business from cyber threats.

Prevention Tips

Email – Before you open an email you should ask yourself:

1- Do I know this person?
2- Am I expecting an email or document from this person?
3- If the email seems suspicious, you should call the person to clarify the legitimacy of the content.

When you are not sure or you’re not expecting the email and you can’t get hold of the person, just delete it. Best to be safe then sorry.

Website Links

Watch what you click on. It can sometimes be difficult to judge, but just be wary of attachments, links or downloads. Make sure they are from reputable sources.

  1. Check the URL and confirm that its a real link to the legitimate website
  2. Do not download or install any software that is not approved or authorized by your IT department
  3. Do not open Zipped downloads. Malware is often hidden in Zipped attachments and downloads and often is not detected by antivirus software.
  4. STOP! before its too late, stop what you’re doing and check with your IT department to confirm that you can open a link

USB Drives

Beware of USB drives. Don’t use them from unknown sources. An infected drive will infect your computer.

  1. Before opening any files on a USB drive, scan the drive folder with your antivirus software on your computer
  2. Do not open Zipped folders. Malware is often hidden in Zipped folders and may not be detected by antivirus software.
  3. Do not install any software that is not approved or authorized by your IT department

Here are some shocking statistics:

Hopefully you will never have to experience a Ransomware or Cryptolocker virus contamination, phishing scam or network intrusion. However, the reality is that it’s a mater of time before it happens to you.

  • Roughly 32% of computers world wide are infected
  • 53% of computer users have experienced a computer infection at some point
  • User lost $2,300,000,000 due to malware infections in 2011
  • Adobe Reader and Java are the most targeted applications
  • Spam email and internet downloads are the most common sources of contamination

Prevention Software and Solutions

User prevention best practices go a long way to spot and avoid getting a computer virus, but its not enough. Your computer network needs the latest prevention software solutions.

Managed Antivirus – stronger protection then standard antivirus software

Intelligent IT Security and Web Monitoring

Web Site Filtering and Malicious site Access Prevention

Managed Firewall Threat Protection

Related Articles

Global News: Dozens of Canadian firms have paid ransoms to regain control of data, study finds

Share: What a Locky Ransomware attack looks like

CSO Online’s Steve Ragan infects a laptop with Locky Ransomware

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Questions or Comments?

We would love to hear your comments or questions. Cybersecurity is such a scarry thing that you can never be too informed or too prepared. Post your question or comment below. We encourage it. 🙂