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Fighting Malware

Dealing with the problem
It is important to keep perspective on the scope of the problem. Malware has become a global issue that is difficult to manage, even for experienced computer administrators. It is a problem that is not likely to lessen any time soon. The problem has become so acute that initiatives by Microsoft and the government are even being devised to deal with malware. The best approach for computer users to take in this climate involves several strategies:

Update critical software often. One of the most essential steps for protecting against malware is to regularly update ("patch") the computer operating system and applications. Because flaws are routinely discovered in software, the software authors attempt to repair the problems by offering update programs. Microsoft offers the Windows Update service for Windows users. As of this article, Microsoft has been releasing batch updates on a monthly cycle. Also be sure to check for updates to programs that are regularly used, especially if they are able to communicate on the Internet.
Install anti-malware software. Protecting against malware requires a "defense in depth" strategy that includes programs especially designed to prevent, detect, and remedy malware problems. Because the distinction between viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, adware, and other types of pest programs has blurred, many vendors now offer comprehensive detection for all of these unwelcome types of software. The purpose of this article is not to recommend specific vendors, but raise awareness of the need for these types of software. Look for software with a reputable and well established track record. A useful site for researching anti-malware applications is Virus Bulletin. When you install anti-malware applications, remember to check that they periodically update themselves. If these programs aren't regularly updated, they quickly become ineffective as a form of protection.
Analyze your own online habits. Internet users need to recognize how their own habits can impact their own security.
- Be wary of email attachments - they can contain malware. Always scan attachments with an anti-malware program before opening them. Even trusted people can unintentionally send you malware if their computer is infected.
- Be careful when you browse - there are many websites that are intentionally designed to trick visitors or infect computers with malware. There are numerous fake search engine, pornography, free or illegal software, and gambling web sites that fall into this category. Check your web browser settings to see if they are secure for the browsing that you do. Disable "ActiveX", "Java", and "Script" settings whenever they are not necessary for the correct display or operation of sites you visit.
- Be careful when you install - there are many programs that include additional malware components that people are often unaware of. If you download and install programs from Internet freeware or shareware sites, be sure to read the license terns carefully. If a program mentions that it will install "third party" programs, it often means advertising or spyware related software that you probably won't want to accept. File sharing programs are notorious for this, but are not the only culprits. The software that people download with file sharing programs may also have malware attached - that "free" copy of Windows might not really be free!
Use a firewall - this provides an extra layer of defense against malicious software. Firewalls act on a computer in a way that suggest how they work in fighting fires. They act as a barricade between the Internet and your computer hardware. This barricade can be programmed to allow information to pass in and out from your computer selectively. Firewalls are valuable forms of protection, but also require you to understand some basic processes involved in network communication. That is because firewalls can provide granular control over the ability of programs to communicate over the Internet based on the source and destination addresses, ports, protocol types, time of day, message contents, and the direction of the traffic. Obviously this is more complex to manage than an anti-malware program. However, the payoff is immense if you are willing to learn the essentials because a firewall can regularly detect problems that may have evaded anti-malware detection programs. Do not simply install a software firewall and expect to be done - this is actually more dangerous because it gives a false sense of security. Be prepared to learn.
Develop a sense of what is "normal" - this is known professionally as "baselining" a system. As you use your computer, you develop a feel for what is "normal" behavior and what is abnormal. If your computer is normally fast on the Internet, but seems progressively slower, it can be a sign of problems. Learn to recognize changes that could signal malware. It could be the appearance of programs or shortcuts that you didn't install yourself, computer or Internet slowness, frequent advertising pop-ups, frequent crashes in the operating system or programs, or large amounts of email messages being returned that you didn't actually create and send to anyone.

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This page was last updated: 4/29/2006 3:56:19 PM