Stop Viruses From Infecting Your Computer – Part 2

Stopping viruses from infecting your computer should be easy, right? If you install a reputable virus scan or internet security software you may think that’s all there is to it, but in truth there are other aspects to keeping your computer safe. In this series, we’ll offer some advice on different ways to keep your online security strong and your information protected. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your internet security software running at peak efficiency.

 

Choose a reputable ad blocker and one that requires little to no interaction to work properly as this will make your browsing experience much easier and less hassle. At TECCS we use uBlock Origin and this can be installed easily from the links below

for chrome

for Firefox

for edge

advert blocker/ad-blocker

Ad blocking or ad filtering is a type of software that can remove or alter advertising content from a webpage, website, or a mobile app. Ad blockers are available for a range of computer platforms, including desktop and laptop computers.

 

Block Adverts

Why block adverts, are they bad for internet security? Not all adverts are bad, however some can be used to install viruses and malware (see malvertising below). Or adverts can just be annoying or get in the way for instance advertising in the middle of a Youtube video you are trying to watch.

 

 

Block popups

Popups are annoying and distracting and can stop you from seeing what you want to on a webpage. usually trying to sell you something or wanting you to upgrade to a premium account. They can also be malicious and be trying to get you to click to install rogue software even if you click cancel this can sometimes still install the software or virus because you clicked.

They can also sometimes be malicious and tell you to update a program that is outdated when the program is often not outdated. this link will often take you to a site that looks authentic but isn’t and the software you will install is often the correct software but bundled unknown to you could be viruses and adware.

Block rogue websites

Rogue websites are websites designed to look like official websites and are designed to steal login details or bank details so money can be taken. a lot of popup blockers will stop the website being loaded and warn you about it with an alert if it is a known rogue website.

The other type of rogue website is one which is known to try to actively install malicious software viruses adware etc. by tricking the user or by actively seeking out exploits in outdated software and installing viruses with no interaction.

 

Blocks malvertising

Malvertising is the name used in the security industry for criminally-controlled adverts which intentionally infect people and businesses. These can be any ad on any site – often ones which you use as part of your everyday Internet usage. It is a growing problem. 

Whilst the technology being used in the background is very advanced, the way it presents to the person being infected is simple. To all intents and purposes, the advert looks the same as any other, but it has been placed by a criminal.

Without your knowledge a tiny piece of code hidden deep in the advert is making your computer go to criminal servers. These then catalogue details about your computer and its location, before choosing which piece of malware to send you. This doesn’t need a new browser window and you won’t know about it.

The first sign will often be when the malware is already installed and starts threatening money for menaces, logging your bank details or any number of despicable scams.

 

All of these problems can be reduced or removed totally with a good ad-blocker.

 

If you are worried about installing an ad-blocker, please get in touch. We can help you setup ad-blocking software and if you suspect your computer may already have a virus, we also offer a virus removal service.

 

Stop Viruses From Infecting Your Computer – Part 1 can be found here