7 Persuasive Tips From Semalt On How To Avoid Catching Malware

It would not be wrong to say that the internet has made our lives easy. It is one of the best creations and connects us with our friends and family members across the globe. Accessing information and communicating with the clients is very easy for a businessman. At the same time, the internet has created a lot of problems for us. That is because a lot of hackers remain active round the clock. They attempt to hack your personal accounts and steal your money.

Jack Miller, the Senior Customer Success Manager of Semalt, defines the guideline that is a must to avoid hacking attacks.

1. Open Trusted Links & Downloads Only

As the internet is flooded with information and websites, it is not safe to open every link or attachment. You should not visit dubious and adult websites as they may contain viruses and malware. At the same time, you should not download software from questionable sources. It is also important to avoid illegal files and email attachments. If you cannot avoid these things, we recommend you to install a powerful antivirus software and scan your system once in a day. You can also try browser plugins such as Web of Trust (WOT).

2. Turn off HTML In Emails
One of the most common ways how viruses and malware are distributed is through emails. In fact, hackers send malicious emails to the victims in a significant number. These emails run automatic HTML scripts to attract more and more people. Thus, it is important to turn off HTML in emails so that the malicious content is not displayed.

3. Don’t Open Unsolicited Email Attachments
You should not open unsolicited emails and attachments. Most of the hackers send attractive emails and try to engage more and more people. Almost all webmail clients scan attachments before allowing users to open them. At the same time, a large number of desktop email clients are provided with automatic malware scanning services.

4. Understand How Scams & Phishing Attacks Work

You should develop an understanding of how phishing attacks and scams work. They may hide behind your Twitter notifications or Facebook profiles. Some of them are present in your emails: all are fake. You should not follow any link you are not confident about. At the same time, you should not share your bank details or credit card number with unknown individuals on the internet. The hackers could steal your secret information and password. They may also transfer money from one bank to another using your personal details. Facebook and Twitter do not send out non-legitimate notifications. If someone contacts you via these platforms, you should not share your information with them at any cost.

5. Don’t Be Fooled by Scare Tactics

Try your best to stay away from scare tactics which are present everywhere on the internet, in all shapes and forms. You should not install anti-malware, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software from unknown websites or sources. If you are not sure of anything, it is better not to try it. You should go through the MakeUseOf Best Of Windows and Linux Software pages to know more about this thing. These days, hackers call people on their mobile numbers and ask them to install some software and tools.

6. Scan External Drives You Connect To Your Computer

If you are connecting external drives such as USB or DVD, make sure they are free from viruses and malware. You can install an antivirus or anti-malware software to stay safe on the internet. You can also scan the drive by visiting ‘My Computer’ and ‘Scan Selected Files.’

7. Pay Attention When Installing Software

Most often, antivirus software and tools accompany optional installs, such as additional features, programs, and toolbars. It is better to avoid all those programs as they may contain malicious things. Instead, you should opt for the custom installation and deselect all the things that are not familiar.