Protect Your Device From Internet Viruses
Table of Contents
What Are Internet Viruses?
In simple terms, an internet virus is a program containing malicious code that seeks to infect various devices. Once inside the device, the virus may look to corrupt, get control of, or steal personal information from it. Hackers often create viruses to invade devices and get someone’s personal and financial information.
How Can Viruses Infect A Device?
Email Attachment or Link
It’s common for online criminals to send viruses in the form of an email attachment or link. They usually use phishing or other email scamming techniques to entice a person to download a file or click on a link. For example, they could say they have a great deal, pretending to be a legitimate company.
Fake Website
Hackers will often duplicate real company websites to try and impersonate them. Usually, these criminals are looking to get people’s personal information through a site form or to infect their device with a virus. These fake websites are often hard to recognize, as hackers will make them look as close to the legitimate site as possible. You’ll have to look extremely close at the site’s details and do some research of your own to ensure the site you’re visiting is the real one.
Third-Party App
Sometimes third-party web apps are used by online criminals to deliver viruses on to computers and other devices. Whether they created the app themselves or infected an already existing app, the virus can be delivered with a simple click of the download button. The only precaution a person can take when downloading apps is to make sure they are from a legitimate company.
Wi-Fi Network
Public Wi-Fi is everywhere. At the airport, in your local coffee shop, and on the road. It’s a wonderful luxury, but it can also allow hackers to access and infect your device(s). Once hackers gain access to a Wi-Fi network, they can use a virus to invade devices that are connected to the same network. Also, these criminals can create fake public Wi-Fi networks to lure victims in, so be careful when using any public Wi-Fi signals.
Different Types Of Viruses Online
Malware
Malware, aka malicious software, is a program designed to invade a computer or other device. It seeks to access data, damage, corrupt, or do other unwanted actions to the device. There are different types of malware including spyware, adware, worms, rootkit, and keyloggers.
Spyware
Spyware allows a person to obtain information from a device without their knowledge. The phone activities and information like text messages and login information are logged and backed up. This is not to be mistaken for legitimate companies who sell parental monitoring software.
Trojan Horse
A Trojan Horse is a virus you should definitely be scared of. Once it infects a device, it creates what’s known as a “back door”, giving someone access to all the device’s systems. With this access, someone could view and obtain data stored anywhere on the device.
Worms
Worms are just how you would imagine. They can replicate and grow to infect multiple devices, using the system’s security flaws to spread. This virus has the ability to alter and remove files, and put malicious code onto any device.
Adware
Adware isn’t always a threat, but it’s certainly a virus you should be aware of. It’s most commonly recognized by unsolicited pop-up and other image advertisements on your screen. The parties behind the adware are looking to get revenue for their business or clients through any purchases made through the adware.
Antivirus Software Options:
One of the surefire ways to protect your devices from internet viruses is using an antivirus software program or app. This software will instantly detect any anomalies on your device, and quarantine them so they can’t do any damage. Below is a list of antivirus software options we recommend.
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus (PCs only)
- Avast Antivirus (PCs, Mac, Android Devices, iPhone, iPad)
- AVG Antivirus (PCs, Mac, Android Mobile Phones, iPhone, iPad)
- Norton Antivirus (Windows, Mac, Android Devices, iPhone, iPad)
- Bitdefender Antivirus (Mac OS, Android Devices)
How To Protect Your Devices From Viruses
Firewall
Computers today come with built-in security measures like firewalls. Firewalls prevent unauthorized parties from accessing your computer. The most commonly used computer systems today are Mac (OS) and Windows 10.
Pop-Up Blocker
To prevent adware viruses, you’ll want to enable your web browser’s pop-up blocker. The most popular browsers used today are Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. Get rid of those pesky pop-up ads once and for all.
Don’t Download Any Unknown Apps or Files
To avoid viruses from invading your computer, avoid downloading any unknown files or apps you’re unsure about. This includes any third-party or online apps, or files sent to you via social media, email, or text messages.
Website Blockers
Website blockers can not only prevent you and others from accessing inappropriate content, but it can block access to any site you wish. This includes access to sites you know are a scam or a threat. Often, this tool can be installed as a browser extension. Check out this list of the best website blocker apps.
Update Your Devices
As stated before, one of the ways viruses can access your device is through security and software vulnerabilities. To patch up these flaws, device companies initiate software updates regularly to help users keep their devices secure. Below are links on how to update the software on the most popular devices used today.
Utilize Your Device’s Security Settings
To protect your device from viruses, hackers, and other threats, devices come included with security settings. This could be password protections, two-factor authentication, answering security questions, and so on.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi
As previously said, hackers can gain access to your device via real or fake public Wi-Fi networks. To protect your devices, only use private Wi-Fi networks. Along with this, you could utilize a VPN to encrypt your device web activity.
Visit Only Secure Websites
The easiest way for someone to get a virus on their device is by visiting non-secure sites that have been compromised. When browsing online, you can tell if a site is secure if the URL begins with “https://”. This means that the site has an SSL certificate, which encrypts data sent between the site and its server. You can also check to see if the URL has a closed lock next to it, which is common to see on Google Chrome.
Other Useful Links:
- How To Find Hidden Spyware On Android Smartphones
- What Is A Computer Virus?
- Malware vs. Spyware: What’s The Difference?
- 9 Types of Malware and How To Recognize Them
- How To Know If Your Phone Has A Virus
- The 8 Most Famous Computer Viruses Of All Time
- How Computer Viruses Spread (Infographic)
- The Most Dangerous Computer Viruses In The World (Video)
Check out our other resource on bestcellphonespyapps.com.
Pat Stanley
Cell phone spy software enthusiast and researcher. With over 8 years in the business I can offer the most comprehensive analysis and recommendations for virtually any program on the market. Learn more about Pat Stanley.