Malware

In the last week or two I have found myself working on a dizzying number of Mal-ware / Spy-ware infected computers. Two things never cease to amaze me –

1. The fiendish creativity 0f Mal-ware creators and their unscrupulous habit of taking advantage of other peoples gullibility

2. People’s gullibility!

The first thing I tell all of my clients regarding safe and responsible Internet usage is, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!” Because lets face it… The Internet is really no different then the rest of the world. It’s full of loan sharks, used car salesmen and pickpockets who have found a more profitable living Online – but they are still trying to push stuff on you, sell you junk and steal from your wallet – only now it’s from the confines of your living room!

In my experience, 49% of infections are from user neglect, 49% are from user gullability, and the remaining 2% are from operating system vulnerabilities. It’s a painful, but sobering truth!

So, for all of my clients, a friendly (and free) word of advice;

– Get an Anti-virus  program, (any – even free ones are fine) and learn how to use it
– Get a Spy-ware scanner and learn how to use it
– Keep both of the above updated regularly
– Don’t believe anything you see if it’s a dream come true. It’s the Internet – someone is trying to take advantage of you!

If that’s too depressing or scary, I’ll gladly buy your computer from you and set you up with a nice, safe typewriter.

Otherwise, take these things into consideration; your car doesn’t drive itself, play the lottery for you, or make contact with foreign diplomats and arrange large cash deposits for you – neither will your computer. Also, your car will not change it’s oil, change it’s breaks, tires or anything else on it’s own. Neither will your computer.

Take care of it, and you’ll have a great Internet ride. Neglect it, and… well, my number is 484-256-3519 and my rates are posted on this site.

Have a nice day.

(P.S. If you read this and feel like I’m writing about YOU, I’m not – EVERY single one of my clients has required Spy-ware service from me – it’s very common, and you’re not alone. That being said, I’m sure each of you can still learn from this. Thank you for your continued patronage!)