Experts are warning of a major security breach that is spreading across the Internet, infecting a substantial number of computers. According to Threatpost, the hacker group behind the SolarWinds attacks has built a complete set of malware tools, and they have been using them to attack companies of all sizes for several years now.
Cyber criminals have been distributing spyware, ransomware, viruses and worms using malicious PDF files lately, managing to infect a huge number of devices. Viruses and ransomware are particularly worrying, because they can easily take over computers, compromising their functionality and data. These pieces of malware can also spread through network shares, taking down entire computer networks.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to keep your PC safe:
1. Make sure you are running the latest versions of the Windows or Mac operating systems. Windows 10 was released a while ago, and it includes numerous security features and improvements in comparison with Microsoft's previous O.S. The same goes for macOS, of course.
2. Use an antivirus. Windows Security is a mature product now, and it can catch most malware. Since it is already bundled with Microsoft's O.S., there is no reason why you shouldn't use it. Mac computers were deemed to be much safer in the past, but this is no longer the case. Tens of thousands of Macs have been infected with the Silver Sparrow virus, for example, and nobody knows how it happened. Cyber criminals have also built viruses that target Apple's newest M1 chips, so be sure to get an antivirus for your Mac asap.
Anytime you suspect a malware infection, run a virus scan to see if there are any suspicious files on your system. If you determine that a particular application is infected, clean it and/or uninstall it immediately. Once the virus is gone, don't forget to check your computer for infections regularly.
3. Stay safe online. Don't get distracted by pop-ups which tell you that the computer is infected; if you click those ads, you're going to install a piece of malware in your computer. Use an online virus scanning service such as VirusTotal to verify if a particular file in your computer is infected or not. Do not click on dodgy links and don't open unknown documents that are attached to your emails. Be wary of e-mails asking for personal information, such as bank details. Only download software from official websites.
4. Keep all the installed software up to date; many updates will include security fixes as well. If a particular application hasn't been updated in years, it's time to uninstall it, and then find an up-to-date replacement for it.
5. Use strong, unique passwords for all your computers, tablets, phones, and gadgets. Do the same for every online account: emails, social media platforms, etc. It's good practice to change passwords frequently, thus making it much more difficult for hackers to discover them.
6. If you use public Wi-Fi connections, make sure the website or platform you are visiting is secure. To increase security, install and use a paid VPN app.
7. Back up all your data regularly. Both Windows and Mac have built-in backup applications, and they work quite well. The same goes for Android and iOS. Store a copy of the data on an external hard-drive, and another copy in the cloud. If you've got under 10 GB of data, you will find plenty of free online backup services. Most paid backup plans start at $10/month, allowing you to store up to 5 TB.