48 - Internet and online security
If you are infected with ransomware, think twice before you pay
the ransom. There is no guarantee the cybercriminal will unlock
your files and you'll be funding them to prey upon another
innocent victim.
Botnets
A botnet is a string of infected, connected computers coordinated
together to perform a task. Botnets gain access to your machine
through some piece of malicious coding. Once the software is
downloaded, the botnet will now contact its master computer and
let it know that everything is ready to go. Now your computer,
phone, tablet, or IoT device is entirely under the control of the
person who created the botnet. Most people who are infected
with botnets aren't even aware that their computer's security has
become compromised!
What to do if you're infected:
If you're infected you probably
don't realize it as bots are notoriously quiet. Your Internet Service
Provider might send you a notification alerting you that they
found a threat on your network and that you need to remove the
bot. If you have a bot, use internet security software like Norton
Security to scan all of your devices.
Viruses/Malware
"Virus" is the commonplace word for all malicious software
programs for years now; however, a virus is just one type of
malicious threat. A virus is classified as a self-replicating piece of
malicious code that travels by inserting itself into files or
programs.
What to do if you're infected:
Take steps to avoid infection by
staying protected with internet security software like Norton
Security. If you subscribed to Norton Security and think you may
have a virus, contact Norton's on-call technicians to help eliminate
the virus.
Take special precautions when using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is available just about everywhere, from the local
coffee shop to the hotels and airports you visit while traveling.
While public Wi-Fi has made our lives a little easier, it also poses
