Tis’ the Season for Computer Virus …

Terry Anderson is the President of Fast-teks On-Site Computer Services of Central Iowa www.fastteksdm.com

In the last few weeks I have noticed a definite spike in virus activity.  Our technicians have been on more service calls related to virus infested computers that range from malware claiming they are an antivirus while trying to extort money for removal of a virus on your computer  to pop-ups claiming to be pornography infected viruses.

Our family computers have gotten a rash of emails with Virus laden attachments or links asking us to update our passwords for Facebook or digital signatures for Quickbooks.

Both our business and residential customers ask the same question “What are these malicious programs after?” Some people have provided  interesting theory’s such as  ”The Anti-virus companies are trying to make sure your need them to increase their sales”

The main reason the fine makers of malware create viruses is for the money.

In the 1980′s and 90′s I worked as a bill collector and collection manager mostly in revolving credit.   Fraud was and is possible by getting enough information about someone to make others think that you are that person.  Many times it was as simple for the criminals as submitting a change of address for their target.  They then got your mail, changed the addresses of a few creditors to the new address and established credit.  There was usually a few months lag before their target knew they had a bill for a new car, appliances or credit card charges.

Fraud isn’t as easy today as it was then but it’s not overwhelmingly harder either.  Most of us never realize the massive amount of personal information we have on our computer.

Raise your hand if you:

• Have your name an address on your computer?
• Ever used your credit card for an online purchase?
• Use online banking?
• Keep electronic versions of your tax forms on your computer?
• Have or access an email address book on your computer?
• Keep any other type of document on your computer that contains personal information?

I have probably missed a few key points but the main idea is that many us put our key information on our computers.

Viruses, Trojans and Malware really want to collect your data.   If the people behind them can get your online banking information because you store it in a file so you can remember it,  they love it.  They want you to think their pop-ups are real so they can get you to enter all of your credit card information.

Tax forms have it all, name, address, employer information and social security number.

You say all you have is an email address book and nothing else?  Fantastic! Maybe your contacts have the information available on their computers that you don’t.  The scammer’s then use your address book to generate an email to your contacts computers who perhaps aren’t as tight with their personal information.  Maybe they can just use your computer as a relay to another unknown computer to get information and hide their tracks.

If all of this isn’t enough these malware bandits place “redirect links”  on sites like Twitter and Facebook and have even pirated Microsoft links to make you think you are linking to some intended destination and then redirect you to a virus download.

The real question is what are you doing about your personal information safety on your computer?

Have you purchased an antivirus like AVG or Kaspersky that you:

• Use to run complete virus scans regularly?  Base this on you amount of time spent on the internet – if you are on a lot set the scans for every night after your bedtime.
• Get virus definitions updated every couple of days? This assures that your antivirus can fight the newest viruses to come out.
• RENEW the anti-virus subscription when it expires?

Do you:

• Delete emails from unknown people without clicking links or opening attachments?
• Carefully review emails from known people or businesses to make sure that the links are correct? To preview a link or verify link correctness hover your cursor over the link and you will see the actual address in the lower left portion of your monitor above the start button.
• Preview links of the unsecured websites (banks and websites of this type are usually secure) before you click them?

I hope this information gives you a better understanding of the steps you need to take towards having a virus free holiday season!

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