Myth No. 1: Software updates don’t affect computer security.
Fact: Most software makers regularly release updates to address specific security issues. An outdated computer is more prone to crashes, security holes and cyberattacks than one that’s been fully patched. Despite this, many people ignore initial software-update prompts. Set your operating system and software to automatically update, or manually update them as soon as you receive a notification.
Myth No. 2: You’ll know if malware infects your computer.
Fact: Numerous studies estimate that about one-third of the world’s computers are infected with malware or adware at any given time. However, many people can’t tell whether their computers are compromised. While some malware slows down computers, other types try to run undetected. The only way to know for sure if your computer is infected is to run scans using antivirus or anti-malware software.
Myth No. 3: Macs are safe from malware.
Fact: A decade ago, Apple’s low market share made Macs virtually safe from malware, and hackers were more inclined to develop malware that affected Windows PCs. Today, Apple’s share of the personal-computer market has grown significantly, and along with that has come a marked increase in the amount of malware affecting Macs. One study said Macs saw five times as many malware attacks in 2015 than in 2010 through 2014 combined.
Myth No. 4: Well-known websites are safe.
Fact: Even the best-known websites can be corrupted with malware — it’s happened to Yahoo, The New York Times, the BBC, AOL and The Huffington Post in the past two years. A common criminal tactic is to place malicious online ads — also known as malvertising — on legitimate websites. Visitors don’t have to click on one of these online ads; just viewing it sends malware to their computers. The best way to protect yourself is to patch or disable Adobe Flash Player and other browser plugins, and to run antivirus software.
Myth No. 5: Malware isn’t a problem if you don’t have anything important on your computer.
Fact: Malware doesn’t often search through a computer’s hard drive for private information. Instead, it will try to access your email account and send out spam to your contacts. Or, it will record your keystrokes to steal credit-card numbers and login information for bank accounts, social-networking platforms and other online accounts.
Myth No. 6: You can restore your data from a backup if your computer is hacked.
Fact: Wiping your computer clean, reinstalling the operating system and copying your files from a backup drive isn’t simple. If you aren’t thorough and careful, you may restore the malware as well. It can stick around in backed-up files or in hidden sectors of the hard drive long after you think it’s been destroyed, and you may damage your system or lose data in the process of trying to eliminate it. Make sure to scan all files for malware before restoring them, and make sure your antivirus software scans for bootkits and rootkits.
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