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IM Madness – Spyware Can Creep Up on your Instant Messaging Too
For all of you that enjoy talking via the Instant Messaging of today’s modern technology take note. That it is not always private and can actually allow in viruses that will shut your computer down faster than you can. Yes, Instant Message (IM) is fun and wonderful, allowing you to talk to friends and relatives all across the nation and even make new friends and/or relatives. It is considerably less expensive than talking on the phone and you have the ability to talk to several people at simultaneously. However, if you are not careful, you can cause damage to your computer. This article will look at a few ways in which you can protect yourself and your computer from receiving viruses or malicious spyware. You can find downloads for IM spyware through AOL, MSN or Yahoo, as well as other servers who provide instant messaging services. However, consider these options carefully as you would do with any type of downloads you consider.
If you use IM frequently, it would be wise for you to consider installing Trillian, which is a program that allows you to utilize all instant messenger services without dealing directly with each dedicated client. This will cut down on unwanted spyware added to your computer due to you being required to upgrade your instant message server. Remember anytime you download something that you should always run your spyware program to check for any malicious downloads. This is a good maintenance habit to get into. If you use AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and have upgraded to the 5.5 you should be aware that they download extra stuff that monitors how their customer’s use the internet without your knowledge. The only way you will know that it is there is if you do a security scan of your computer.
Here are some steps that will help keep your computer safe while you enjoy the freedom of using instant messaging (IM):
Be cautious before you download any files through instant message (IM). If you receive a file from someone you do not know or was not expecting, do not open it. Always confirm with the sender what the file is before you open it.
When your computer tells you that it is time to update something, do not close the warning and ignore it. If you do, you are leaving your computer wide open for attack. Always download when the computer prompts you to do so. If you have not done so already, check to see that your programs are set automatically to update. This will save you the trouble of trying to figure out if you should or should not update at any particular time.
Whatever instant messaging (IM) server you use, it is wise to keep your computer updated. The reason they update is that they have found new ways to protect you from potential threats so if you do not update then this again will leave your computer vulnerable to a potential virus.
Purchase antivirus software and update it frequently or set it for automatic updates. If you do not keep your antivirus software current, it will be of no help to you in trying to keep out unwanted threats or malicious content.
Use antispyware and keep it updated as well. This is another form of protection for your computer. This type of spyware can also remove malicious content already on your computer that you may not have been aware is there.
It is great fun to send pictures and cool things through instant messaging (IM) but remember that not only can a virus come using instant messages (IM) but it can also come if your computer file became corrupt in some way and you were not aware of it. If you send that corrupted file through instant message (IM) then you have harmed your friend’s computer also. If you think this may be too much, consider the option of not protecting your computer – you will be back to using your phone and pen and paper to communicate! So, use the software programs either that are made to protect your computer and keep them current through updates automatically or when your computer prompts you to do so.
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