There was a time when anti-virus software was the height of computer security, especially if you are a Windows user. But the landscape of threats has changed, and we live in an era of sweeping, global campaigns, like the ransomware “WannaCry” infection or the more recent Ukraine-focused “NotPetya” attack. What role did anti-virus and antimalware software play in keeping your machine safe?
Latest anti-malware is not the last thing defending your computer; rather, it’s part of a multi-faceted approach involving some common-sense steps to keep your machine and personal information safe. Mac users want to use Sophos, which has a free antimalware program, and that Windows users should think about Symantec. Before buying an anti-virus you should consider a free background check as anti-virus should be brought considering the environment one is working on.
For Mac users
One issue that Mac users should keep an eye out for is Adware. This type of code is typically picked up when using the software as a service, like an email or other things that require logging into an account. FCC rules state that adware has to identify itself to prevent classification as “spyware,” but it is easy to pick up some adware, especially if you speed through those terms of service agreements.
While that may not be surprising advice from someone who works at a security company that makes anti-malware software, we should also emphasize on the importance of keeping our computer’s and other software—especially the operating system—up-to-date in the fight against malicious code and phishing software.
For Windows
Take the WannaCrypt malware attack, also known as WannaCry, which struck machines running Windows in May. Microsoft had already provided the software updates for prevention about two months before, in March, which protected customers running operating systems like Windows 7 or Windows Vista from WannaCry. Machines that hadn’t been updated or that were running older versions of Windows like Windows XP were left vulnerable to the attack. Microsoft also said that users who were running Windows 10, the most current version of the operating system, weren’t affected by that attack.
As for a recent attack, “NotPetya,” called or “Petya” Microsoft said in an article that most of those infections happened in computers running Windows 7. Don’t forget to update your anti-virus software. The software can’t fight a threat it doesn’t yet know about, and that information is typically found in regular updates.
Anti-virus software
As for the idea the Macs and macOS are inherently more resistant for attacks. “It’s really more about the fact that attackers are targeting the biggest bang for the buck, and right now it’s the Windows system,”. In short, Windows offers “more targets,”.
While emphasizing on how crucial it is to keep your operating system updated, another simple solution for people who may not be the most security proficient and just want to do tasks like send emails: Use an iPad and a keyboard.
That is However, relying because iOS, which powers iPhone and iPads, is “the one operating system that we can say is inherently more secure,” The closed-down environment of iOS makes it impossible for someone to run foreign code on device.
However, relying on an iPad or iPhone still does not protect someone from clicking on a malicious link that then takes them to a dummy site, prompting them to enter personal information.
