How can I protect my computer from malware and viruses?
Malware is malicious code that can be added to your computer by actors that have bad intentions. A virus is a specific type of malware that directly targets your computer's software. There are several other types of malware, but viruses are the most common.
It is said that humans are the weakest link when it concerns security protections. People unintentionally add malware to their computer when downloading an attachment sent to them over email (a so called phishing email), or they click on a link that directly leads to a website containing malware.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Always double check the sender's email address before you open any attachments. Do not just look at the sender's name (this can easily be changed), but look at the entire email address.
- Do not open attachments in emails from senders you do not know, and do not click on links/URL's you do not know. If you are not sure whether they are safe or not, you can check them on https://virustotal.com first.
- Use anti-malware/virus software on your computer. Sophos offers some free downloads here.
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