As long as your mobile device, desktop or laptop or is connected to a network, your data is vulnerable. Malware attacks are on the rise with 8.5 million mobile malware attacks and 430 million new unique pieces of malware detected last year. Here are a few simple ways you can avoid malware infection on your devices.
Mobile Devices
- Never install apps from outside your device’s official app store. While this isn’t always foolproof because there have been malicious apps available for years in Google Play, it still is a better bet than randomly downloading apps. Its also a best practice to only install an app supplied by an official source.
- Regularly check for and install updates for your Android or iOS platform and apps.
Desktops & Laptops
- Never install un-trusted software. Fortunately Windows and Apple have official repositories for downloads and other reputable companies have official downloads available.
- Keeping your workstation patches updated is just as important as it is on your mobile device. Routinely check for any available patch and install all available updates.
- Use a reputable anti-virus and anti-malware solution and keep it updated.
- Never click on links or launch files from unknown sources. If you receive an email, even from a known source informing you to click on a link to update an account, first hover over the link and see if the domain matches the link. If you can’t see the link when you hover over it, copy and paste it into Notepad. If the domain doesn’t match the link, delete the email.
- Never allow your browser to save your passwords or other sensitive information.
- Never use an unsecured or public WiFi connection, particularly when accessing your business network or personally sensitive applications.
- Finally, always backup your data.
For more information on solutions for running your businesses’ technology more efficiently, visit our website or contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813 448-7100 x210.