How Not To Get Infected With Malwares

One of my posts, Removal of Registry Helper, is driving traffic to this site which is a good news to me, but on the other hand worries me that more internet users are getting this kind of infection. This post will help in how not  to be infected with the said program or other programs that you do not really want to install on your computer. This will also discuss how you end up getting it even though you did not remember  installing it.

Usually the culprit is the way we install free softwares. And here are tips on installing them without getting tricked into getting something else.

Choose The Source

These malwares, scarewares and other annoying programs are coming from many sources. Even from downloading legitimate and popular free programs can infect your machine. How? Resellers of these free programs include bundle of other applications that install themselves together when downloaded. The makers of these bundled programs usually pay an advertising fee to the resellers for the attachment.

To avoid these bundles, try downloading the free program from it's official website and not from other mirror sites.

Choose How To Install

Another problem when installing softwares is users fall for the typical/default/recommended/express installation selection rather than the advance/custom. In order to see which software you are installing, always choose the advance/custom selection. This will show which one to install and you can weed out by un ticking any unwanted bundled software. Most unwanted  software appear to be harmless like toolbars, but once active can become a floodgate for other malwares to gain access to your computer. Choosing advance installation will let you avoid installing other add ons.

Choose Which Button To Click

Not all buttons are created with the same purpose. Some websites that are hosting internet utilities like speed checker are visually "tricking" their users on clicking a wrong button other than the utility they are serving. They make the button of the software in question so prominent(1) and "hide" the legit (2) that users do not notice until it's late. Although a note is written, it is tempting to click this button(1) first than the other one(2).

Beware that there are also video contents that are asking you to download an update to your player in order to view or a play button that actually let's you download a piece of software that does nothing to the video.