BRUNTECH

Hackers commonly utilise socially engineered methods to manipulate end users into installing malicious programs or supplying confidential information. A growing trend is the offering of free or low cost "helper" software to persuade the PC user to download a program or visit a particular website.

Here are some practical tips to minimise download files and emails from infecting your system:

1. Ensure your have e-mail antivirus and that the scanning feature is "ON", to ensure that all emails received with attachments are scanned for malware as soon as they hit your inbox.
2. If you are downloading a file from a webpage, after saving the file, right click on top of the program and use the "scan with" option to ensure is not infected.
3. Your security software should always be up to date. The auto update feature found in Anti Spyware and AntiVirus should be enabled to keeps your protection up to date at all times.
4. Do not install any unnecesary software and only do so from known, trusted and reputable vendors. If you don't know the difference ask an engineer.
5. Be creative and use different passwords for different purposes, in particularly when doing transactions online. Make sure that your password includes a combination of letters, numbers as well as upper/lower case characters.
6. Whenever possible, have a creditcard with a low credit limit for online transactions use only.

While antivirus and antispyware will help reduce the risk of falling prey, it will only work with personal precaution and vigilance. And remember, nothing can guarantee total immunity or instant repair and protecttion (regardless of claims). 

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