Fall is right around the corner and September is a great time to focus on security – your computer’s security. With all of the high profile hacking stories in the news this year, one of the questions we are frequently asked is “How in the world did that virus (malware, trojan, unwanted program) get on my machine?” It’s estimated that about 30% of our computers here in the U.S. are infected with some form of malware – about 60 million total.

There are many places people get computer viruses, but the most common is from malicious websites. Many websites contain hidden malware that installs as soon as the web page loads. These programs are hard to detect and often very hard to remove. The best defense, aside from up-to-date antivirus software, is to play it smart. Here are some quick tips to consider when surfing online:

1. Avoid phishing attempts in emails by getting into the habit of checking the link before you click on it (hovering over the link will show the address usually at the bottom of your browser).

2. Be on the look out for companies that ask for your login information or contain suspicious attachments. Most legitimate businesses will never ask you for your password.

3. Watch out for websites that make you click a popup in order to get to another page or close the window (clicking “OK” often installs malware). If you find yourself unable to close the page you may need to quit your browser instead.

4. Make sure your browser is updated with the latest service packs and is set to secure surfing.

5. Surf with a pop up or adblock extension installed (such as adblock for Chrome).

Ready to have your computers work for you, rather than against you? Hawkins Consulting is dedicated to improving your business through effective use of technology and design. We handle all your technical and creative challenges so that you can concentrate on what’s important: running your business. For more information, please visit www.consulthawkins.com.