While surfing on the web, you might feel that you have taken all thepreventive measures to protect yourself from web bugs but this might not be true. At any point during surfing, you could be a victim of malware infection, a phishing scam or an invasion of online privacy.
The web today is full of such scams, bugs and malwares that gains access to your PC without you realizing it. Due to this reason we have highlighted some major threats, that you need to look out for.
Threat 1: Avoid Flash Files
The Adobe Flash Player has been a victim of this due to a large number of malware systems taking advantage of this player’s flexible attributes. The malware often comes with the flash cookies which creators can use to save flash related settings. However, if you do use the flash player then make sure you have the updated plug-ins installed and privacy is set on high.
Threat 2: Avoid Shortened Links
You must have realized that within the last few months, URL’s on facebook and Twitter are now appreaing in much smaller links.
It is very easy for malware to hide behind these short links, therefore it would be advised that you do not access any such short URL’S.
Threat 3: Watch Out For Phishing Emails
Phishing mails duplicate themselves just like an original mail coming from a company. The reason for this is that cybercrooks design mails in such a manner which make you believe that they are original and behind that they leave a malware in that email.Remember that major companies seldom send out mails to the public for any offer. If you want to confirm such things, check out the original site, confirm the offer then open your email.
Threat 4: Hiding Malware In Your Downloads
When you download torrents, or other simple downloads, you never know what’s behind them and this is where the malware might be hidden. Since torrent sites are unofficial and unauthentic sites, visiting them would mean calling trouble for yourself. Therefore, make sure you scan your downloads before going ahead with them.
Threat 5: Avoid Porn Sites
Porn sites are the main hub of viruses and malware. The trick here is that these sites use nude women to attract users to view them and this is from where malware enters your PC. Therefore, make sure you have an anti-virus program installed which is well reputed to help you from such attacks.
Threat 6: Avoid Trojan Horses Hidden In Video Codecs
When you want to watch a video online, it would often ask you todownload some codecs. This is the point where you should stop yourself and realize that this is a potential attack. Trojan horse is a form of virus which is hidden in these video codecs and would enter your PC if you download them.
Threat 7: Protect Your Location
When you attach your smart phone with your PC then you are most likely to download some app’s. If you use any apps that are linked with figuring out your current geographical positionthen you could end up providing them with personal information. Since the smart phones are in their infancy, its unlikely to keep yourself from such factors.
Threat 8: Avoid Using Search Engines
Whenever you log onto any website, they might display a search tab on that particular site. If you enter any information there then that means you are falling in their trap. Malware is most linked with such unofficial and unreliable sites where users are most likely to fall prey. Therefore, only use trusted search engines.
Threat 9: Be Aware While Downloading PDF’S
Since Microsoft has become serious in their approach towards fixing all the security lapses, cyber crooks have tried looking for newer methods through which they can spread malware and a recent victim of this is the Adobe Acrobat. Whenver you are about to view a PDF file, make sure the source is very reliable otherwise malware might enter your PC without your realizing it. Furthermore, keep the latest edition of Adobe which has all the security patches updated.
Threat 10: Built in Flash Players
When you are about to view any video and it requires a built in flash player, this might increase the chances of you being a victim of malware. What cyber crooks do is that they send malware through these built in players into your PC and you have no idea of this since you think that you have all the protection required. Therefore, avoid all such websites which require you to play built in videos.
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