How To Keep Your Digital Life Free of Malware

Social networks, Internet Banking and Online Shopping have become part of most peoples lives nowadays.

Facebook has already reeled in more than 400 million users worldwide. Even in Europe, more than half the population is part of the world's biggest social network. Exposing personal data and private pictures to the general public on social networks has become the norm. We must all take the necessary precautions to guard our personal information before a cyber criminal is able to use it against.

Security experts detect more than 30,000 new malicious programs every day and the numbers are only going to increase so it is best to take action now to protect yourself.

Here are some helpful tips to help keep malware out of your digital life:

1. Install Internet security software and keep it updated.
2. Update Windows and third-party applications regularly.
3. Don't respond to emails or social media messages if the sender is unknown.
4. Don't open email attachments or objects sent via social networks if you don't know the sender.
5. Don't click on links in email or IM (instant messaging) messages. Type addresses directly into your web browser.
6. Don't give out personal information in response to an email, even if the email looks official.
7. Back up your data to a CD, DVD, or external USB drive.
8. Shop or bank only on secure sites. These URLs start with 'https://' and you'll find a gold padlock in the lower right-hand corner of your browser.
9. Use a different password for each website or service you use and make sure it consists of more than 5 characters and contains numerals, special characters and upper- and lower-case letters. Don't recycle passwords (e.g. 'jackie1', 'jackie2') or make them easy to guess (e.g. mum's name, pet's name). Don't reveal your passwords to anyone under any circumstances.
10. Make sure you are part of your child's online experience and install parental control software to block explicit/corrupt content.

If you use the Internet often without installing an updated malware remover (Anti-Spyware Program), then malware will most definitely attack your computer. Identity theft and other forms of cybercrime will also occur if malware is given free run on your computer. Do not become another hapless victim of cybercrime. Take action and install reliable software to keep your PC virus-free.