Where Knowledge Rules

Internet:

Internet Security & Safety

Get a Widget for this title

Why do I keep getting viruses and spyware

by Artemis

A person will keep on getting ill for various reasons. Mainly due to personal hygiene, unhealthy environment, and conclusively: habits of no hygiene.

Computer users can be as unlucky without habits of computer hygiene.

Some habits will lead to easy infection:
1. Browsing to inappropriate sites (porn sites, gambling sites) without proper protection.
2. Not updating security patch as recommended.


3. Using weak browsers. A sample of weak browser is MS Internet Explorer 6. Consider moving to Mozilla Firefox, Opera or MS Internet Explorer 7 for better security.
4. Not installing anti-virus/anti-spyware applications.
5. Not updating anti-virus/anti-spyware definitions.
6. Downloading applications without anticipation of possible trojans or threats, like MyWebSearch etc.
7. Exchanging flashdisk with friends

Habits that prevent virus/spyware infection:
1. Install good anti-virus/anti-spyware applications, and update them regularly (usually weekly).
2. Install security update patch
3. Use a better and more secure browser: MSIE 7, Firefox 2, Opera 9, Apple Safari
4. If you use Windows XP, consider moving to Windows Vista. Windows XP has been around for 6 years, and many security holes have been revealed by virus creators. Windows Vista is much more secure.
5. Avoid inappropriate sites. They usually do nasty things to promote themselves, like setting itself as the browser's start page, connection that connects to them, promotion/pop-up messages in dialog boxes on screen, etc.

It's all about habits after all.

Learn more about this author, Artemis.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Why do I keep getting viruses and spyware

  • 1 of 8

    by Currie Jean

    The main reason people keep getting viruses and spyware on their computers is that they're actually installing it themselves

    read more

  • 2 of 8

    by Jason Dick

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

    read more

  • 3 of 8

    by Artemis

    A person will keep on getting ill for various reasons. Mainly due to personal hygiene, unhealthy environment, and conclusively:

    read more

  • 4 of 8

    by Ashley Smith

    Spyware and viruses contrary to popular belief cannot attack your computer unless they are allowed to or unless they are

    read more

  • 5 of 8

    by Doug Woodall

    The never ending Spyware story

    It's been with us since 1993, it's gotten more intrusive,
    more complicated. It's created a

    read more

View All Articles on:
Why do I keep getting viruses and spyware

Add your voice

Know something about Why do I keep getting viruses and spyware?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

98330

Featured Partner

Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA