| Internet downloads offer unlimited potential; | | | | infected downloads, there are two things you |
| if you want something, chances are there is a | | | | can do. First, only download from trusted |
| download for it. Because of the history of | | | | sites such as CNet and TuCows. If you |
| downloads and the uses they have provided, | | | | stumble into downloads that are not on |
| most people have developed a mindset that | | | | trusted sites because of exclusivity, |
| with proper computer security and internet | | | | research the website by checking the Better |
| security, downloads are harmless. | | | | Business Bureau or using a search engine. |
| Unfortunately, there is more to downloads | | | | Second, use integrity checking software to |
| than meet the eye. | | | | see if downloads have been altered. |
| | | | |
| Have you ever had advertisements (i.e. | | | | Integrity checking software provides good |
| adware) spontaneously pop up on your | | | | computer security and internet security |
| computer? What about dramatic decreases in | | | | because of what it examines. The software |
| computer security, speed and performance? | | | | can be downloaded for free and analyzes MD5 |
| Now you would think computer and internet | | | | hashes, which are like ID tags for downloads. |
| security software would always detect these | | | | MD5 hashes look like |
| things when they first appear on your system, | | | | this:de4174sd23859b1f1fr147424328fb7m |
| but they don't. Know this: computer security | | | | |
| software, no matter how expensive or how much | | | | These hashes can be trusted because the most |
| is on your system, will never provide 100% | | | | minor modification will change virtually the |
| security. Hackers and malicious software | | | | entire string, thus making it easy to detect |
| (a.k.a malware) developers know this and | | | | unauthorized alterations or malware in |
| capitalize on people's ignorance, therefore | | | | downloads. The software is easy to use and |
| allowing them to infect people with ease. | | | | can be done in three steps: (1) copy the MD5 |
| | | | hash supplied by the website, (2) download |
| This is where psychological computer security | | | | the file onto your computer, and (3) use |
| and internet security come into play. Before | | | | integrity checking software to develop a MD5 |
| you download anything, make sure to use your | | | | hash of the downloaded file. If the hash |
| judgment and common sense. This can be one | | | | from the website is identical to the one you |
| of your best internet security defenses | | | | created, it hasn't been modified and reduces |
| against malware and it doesn't cost any | | | | the probability of malware infections! |
| money! With that in mind, just remember all | | | | |
| downloads are not created equal, which you | | | | Now you know why psychological computer |
| will quickly discover. | | | | security is so important when it comes to |
| | | | malware infected downloads. There are a lot |
| Hackers and malware developers evade computer | | | | of times where internet security software |
| security by taking legitimate downloads and | | | | will not help, thus leaving protection |
| injecting homemade or pre-constructed malware | | | | entirely up to you. While common sense and |
| in them. This serves two purposes: (1) | | | | judgment can act as a double-edged sword, |
| antivirus software will have more troubles | | | | remember to use the strategies above. |
| detecting malware within other files, and (2) | | | | Knowing and practicing what you now know |
| people will download and install the program | | | | about internet downloads will provide you |
| since it looks legitimate at face-value. | | | | with above-average computer security and |
| | | | internet security against malware, and you |
| To protect yourself from running into malware | | | | didn't even spend a penny to do so. |