Top 8 Internet Security Threats of 2017 and How to Protect Yourself

The long name for malware is malicious software. It can be found in an array of forms – viruses, spyware, trojans, and worms. Thankfully, antivirus programs have been developed to detect malware.

The best thing you can do is learn how to deal with malware effectively and avoid it to ensure you have the safest possible internet experience.

Viruses come with a malicious code that will infect your device upon installation. These infections generally happen with internet downloads, USB drives, or email attachments.

When infection occurs, it can be difficult to eliminate the source of the virus because of the way it works. Viruses can replicate themselves and infect the device’s file system, spreading from one file to another before they finally reach another machine.

One of the most annoying nuisances you have to deal with is adware. It is typically bundled up with legitimate software or apps, which is why detection is a bit difficult.

For instance, a download link may have a checkbox, asking if you want to have a program for free. This program tends to have adware in it.

Spyware, while a big irritation, is often harmless. Most times, it is used to watch one’s browsing behavior in order to learn how to target ads that are relevant to the user.

The bad thing about it is how companies collect your information. Instead of cookies, they use spyware, which acts like a trojan when installed.

Both ransomware and scareware have different methods of approach, but the end goal is the same – collect money from the user who believes something is true when it isn’t.

Scareware tends to take the form of pop-up programs that inform you that your computer has been infected with malware. When you try to click on it, you must purchase a ‘paid’ version of the program in order for it to clean your system and eliminate the risks.

What makes trojans so bad is that they can really do damage to your computer. They effectively hide malicious code in a program or file that seems safe, in the effort to get into your machine.

Once it’s been able to get inside, the program will install itself and communicate with an outside server…all without you knowing.

There is little doubt about how damaging the worms are. A virus will only attack one computer, relying on its user to spread the file to others.

A worm, on the other hand, exploits the security loopholes and could possibly bring the network down in mere minutes. It continues until all machin

It doesn’t matter how competent a developer is, each program has a flaw – sometimes multiple. Hackers will try exploiting these vulnerabilities to gain access and install their own code.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many security updates to programs? It’s due to the continuous cat-and-mouse game hackers and developers play with each other, with you being the cheese.

The developer will look for holes and patch them up before they can be exploited. The hacker will always try to find security flaws before they have been plugged.