The Effects of Malware on Computer Users and What To Do To Prevent Malware Infections

Malware has become a serious issue over the last few years, infecting more computer systems on multiple platforms (Microsoft and Apple), As of yet there is no 100 percent effective way to stop all of these programs. This article will cover some basics of the effects of malware on computer users, warning signs and preventative measures.

The most common means of a malware program is no longer to steal information in the traditional virus sense (via keyloggers, monitoring web access, ect.) but is now primarily focused on voluntary submission of personal bank information for monetary gains. These programs use the annoyance factor and scare tactics to attempt to fool the common computer user into volunteering bank or credit card information to resolve the issues on their system, all while maintaing the appearance that this could possibly be a legitimate program.

How do you know whether you are infected or not? The most common is an unfamiliar program will suddenly appear claiming there is an issue with your computer system. Commonly malware disguised as a fake program utilizes several means of appearing legitimate, such as using logos or names of software or hardware components. Examples of this are XP Antivirus, Vista Anti-spyware, Hard Drive Diagnostics, and many variations. No legitimate program names its software like this because of copyright infringements and standard business practices. Even Microsoft, creators of the Windows platform, use their brand in their security software name (Microsoft Security Essentials) as do major third party antivirus providers.

Successful ways to prevent infection of this software is to become familiar with your protection software so that you know when it is updated and should a malware program trigger you can recognize it as such. You may use the hotkey Alt+F4 to shut the malware program down should it bypass your virus protection, hopefully preventing infection. There are also companies that sell Malware Protection and do a better job at stopping these programs than an anti-virus provider.

The most notable effect of malware is lost time and productivity, since they will attempt to halt all work being performed on the system, some even prevent their removal. If the program is successful at obtaining your bank information there could be monetary effects to the infection as well. Overall the most important thing to do if you are unsure is to call your local computer store and inquire about it. You will find that in most cases they are happy to give you some advice to prevent further system damage and if it turns out you need repairs done they will be able to assist you with that as well.

I hope this article has assisted in your search on malware. Thank you for reading!

Steve Baker
Business Owner and Computer Technician with over a decade of experience.
Expert PC
http://www.expertpcnc.com/

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Prevent hacking webcam and mic

Recording devices like webcams and microphones become standard devices in every modern laptop. These devices can be hacked easily by potential intruders or being under attack of remote tapping. A simple worm that installed on the laptop can operate the webcam and microphone remotely and send the audio and video information to remote operator. Hacking these devices are not just a privacy issue, they can expose companies and organizations to industrial and military espionage.

The standard prevention tools like firewall, anti-virus and anti-malware are not providing sufficient solution. These tools are dealing with well known worms signatures. However, portable laptop can be infected by worms that using standard interface like java-script or while using unsecure public connections. The only safe solution to deal with webcam and microphone worms is to disconnect them completely. This can be done either permanently by cutting the microphone wires or blocking the webcam lens or temporarily by disabling these devices in sensitive places by the operating system. The temporary solution will give the laptop user the option to use audio and video in public places and block them in secure places like the company or organization campus.

Lan-Secure Wireless Protector: Cam and Mic Auto Disable has the perfect solution to deal with webcam and microphone hacking. The software will automatically disable webcams and microphones on computers that connected to the company network with LAN cable and re-enable them when the LAN cable is disconnected from the computer.

How does it work?
Lan-Secure software is installed on windows organization platform and all the laptops and protected computers needs to be added to the software protection list. The software will scan all protected computers either automatically or manually and deploy a protection service on the selected computers. The protection service will constantly monitor the LAN cable status and disable the webcams and microphones of the protected computers when the LAN of the organization is connected. Trying to enable these devices while the organization LAN is active will disable them again instantly. Only when the organization LAN cable will be disconnected from the protected computer, the protected devices will automatically re-enabled.

How does it protect the organization?
Organization computers can be victims of tapping attacks by webcams and microphones worms. These attacks can be used by potential intruders to collect audio and video information from selected organization employees. Disabling these devices on computers that connected to the organization LAN will prevent any installed worms from collecting audio and video information from the affected computers. Using software protection tool will prevent tapping from organization employees through their personal computers on the organization campus, where most sensitive information can be accessed and recorded for industrial and military espionage.

Conclusion
Computers recording devices like webcams and microphones are standard devices in modern laptops. However, these devices can be easily hacked by simple computer worms. Using Lan-Secure Wireless Protector: Cam and Mic Auto Disable will prevent organization users from being exposed to industrial and military espionage in the organization campus and give them the ability to use those devices outside the organization.

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