Is your computer running slow or does it have a mind of its own? If you have recently downloaded a program that promised to do something useful (like clean up your computer and make it run faster) or have opened an unusual file, you may have infected your computer with malware.
Malware is short for ‘malicious software’ which is basically software designed to cause problems. A trojan is a form of malware that disguises itself as a useful program and once it infiltrates your system, the trojan can release some nasty surprises in the form of spyware.
Spyware is software that tries to gain information from your computer such as logins, passwords, and/or credit card details. It can also contain keyloggers which trace each key stroke as well as change computer settings, affect functionality of programs and connection speeds. The cost of removing this software could end up being more than your computer is worth.
But, don’t fear - prevention is simple:
- Only visit sites you know are trustworthy
- Don’t open emails with the file extensions; .BAT, .COM, .EXE, .PIF, .VBS
- Don’t trust an email just because it has come from a friend, they are unlikely to know if they have sent something harmful to your computer
- Be careful about the programs you download - speak to your IT Manager or us first
If you aren’t sure if a website, email or program is safe, just call us. A five minute conversation could save you hundreds of dollars.