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If I have installed antivirus and antispyware software, have kept Windows updated and have a firewall, why do I still get computer infections?

This is a question that has riddled both antivirus companies and computer users since the beginning of high-speed internet use. This article outlines the two main methods hackers use to infect a home user's computer.

First, let's discuss the two main aspects of this problem that typical security software has the most difficult time overcoming: reverse engineering and social engineering.

Hackers will often reverse engineer security software to figure out how it detects spyware threats. This means, they study the means of detection, so they can devise methods of getting around your antivirus software the next time. Reverse engineering has long been used by hackers and many reverse engineered threats can be eliminated by keeping your antivirus software updated and upgraded on a constant basis.

Hackers have figured out an even easier way to gain access to your computer, however.
They use social engineering to exploit the human user.

The most common methods of social engineering are:

Cleverly crafted fraudulent emails
Email attachments that pretend to be items of great importance
Free offers that have hidden programs in them
Web sites that silently try to sneak software onto your machine,
machine,when you click on a link.

Of all the computers on the Internet, a normal household computer attached to a high-speed connection is the most targeted. If you have "screen-agers" (tech-savvy teens) you are in a very high risk group for viruses and spyware. Screen-agers are not afraid of anything and will click on, download or visit any Web site, especially if they think they are getting something for nothing.

Teens are the primary users of file swapping software (Limewire, KaZaa, BitTorrent, etc.), frequent visitors to crack sites (to avoid paying for software) and live on social networking systems, (i.e. Myspace.com) which are all targeted by the bad guys.

Residential computers tend to have a much greater level of virus and spyware infections, primarily because of the way they are used.

Hackers understand their victims and always go after the weakest ones. In this case, it's the average residential user.

If you are using all of the right software and updates to protect your computer, and still getting infected, it is highly likely it is do to a "liveware" problem, meaning someone using your computer is engaging in risky internet surfing and/or loading or downloading software that has hidden code in it.

If you can stop this behavior, you can stop the infections. Any seasoned computer person can take a look at the programs you have installed and determine if you have a user abuse problem.

To read more articles about Internet Security visit: http:home.stopsign.com.

Learn more about this author, Jason Dick.
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