mrdigitech
New Member
Technology has made it possible for us to innovate and create products that help us manage virtually every aspect of our human existence. Nowadays, computers have shrunk in size into what we now refer to as electronic gadgets, some which include smartphones, Tablets, Mp3 plays, digital cameras, video game consoles and many more.
Just like your regular desktop and laptop computers, mobile electronic gadgets are exposed to threats from viruses and malware, some of which cause us to lose valuable data, while some spy on our financial activities and transaction. These days, credit card information are given away by malicious programs installed on these mobile gadgets, and this information is used by fraudsters to steal from unsuspecting victims. That is why it's imperative for you to protect your gadget from threats emanating from the web and other wireless devices. Here are some security measures and tips to implement if you want to secure your favorite gadgets against virus and malware attacks:
Install a genuine anti-virus
This should be your first step if you are to secure your gadgets from virus and malware attacks. We most times tend to pamper our new gadgets during the initial stages of its acquisition, and we forget to carry out measures to protect our devices from malicious programs. The first step you should take after acquiring a brand new electronic gadget is to install an effective anti-virus. Although some of these apps require some kind of payment to upgrade or unlock important features, try as much as possible to get the full versions or license, especially if you store your financial data or carry out financial transactions using your gadgets. These security apps ensure that nothing goes out of your gadget unnoticed and will secure your gadgets against external malware and virus attacks.
Don’t just open any email attachment
The email attachment is one of the major mediums used by virus writers to distribute and install harmful programs on the gadgets of unsuspecting users. Although email attachments are used to convey relevant information (mostly not in text format) to recipients, they are now used as tools to open and spread malicious programs and apps. It’s advisable to scan email attachments using reputable antivirus programs before opening them. You can even take your email security measures a notch further by ignoring emails from unknown sources. Emails whose source you aren’t familiar with should either be deleted or moved to your spam folder for further scrutiny.
Security tips for Android users
Granted, we are aware that Android is based on an "open source" system, which basically allows all and sundry to create apps and programs for Android based platforms. While these may seem like a good development, it's been abused lately by virus and malware writers, who now create apps with the intention of exploiting the open-source nature of the Android base platforms. Sadly, the Google Playstore is quickly becoming a haven for these malicious apps. Just don't install apps on your Android based gadgets without reading their customer reviews. Apps without reviews should strictly be avoided. Although many of these newly developed apps may not have malicious programs written in their code, I'm quite sure you don't want your newly acquired android gadget to become an android testing platform for untested apps.
Security tips for iOS users
Unlike Android-based devices, iOS devices seem to have a more robust security system that is based on a "closed source" system. This means that iOS app development isn't meant for everyone, unlike android based platforms, and their apps go through stringent vetting and approval process before being listed on the Appstore. The security approach adopted by Apple has to a large extent mitigated the risk of exposure to malware and viruses.
Despite the security efforts put in place by Apple, developers have found a way around the wall of iOS defense, using the "jailbreak" software. Nowadays, Apple gadget owners are now Jailbreaking their devices to enable them to install apps from other sources. Although the Jailbreaking approach offers lots of flexibility to iOS users, it also leaves them susceptible to threats emanating from malicious apps. If you want to protect iOS gadgets from malware and virus threats, avoid "Jailbreaking" it in the first place.
Security tips for Gamers
Yes, video gaming is big business all around the world and technology has made it possible for gamers to interact and compete with each other across the globe via the internet. Video game consoles such as Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii have superb access to the web and can share gaming resources with each other remotely. However, the internet capabilities of these gaming consoles have left them susceptible to virus and malware attacks. It's advisable you only connect your consoles to secure WIFI networks so as to prevent unauthorized intrusion of your privacy. You should also be cautious when downloading games from unknown sites.
In conclusion, the above security tips should serve as a basic guide when it comes to protecting your gadgets against malicious programs. There are several other security measures (not listed above) you can put in place to protect your favorite gadgets. The onus is on you to ensure that these gadgets don't serve as tools for privacy invasion by malicious individuals. Protect your privacy, exercise due diligence when accessing the web, install apps only from the recommended app stores, and you'll be on the right path towards safeguarding your favorite gadgets against viruses and malware attacks as well as getting the best from them.
Photo Credit: blog.which.co.uk, phonesecurity.co.uk, funkyspacemonkey.com
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