There are many great products available for purchase and download these days for our personal computers. These include music, audiobooks, creative fonts, games and a variety of software. However, before you download something onto your computer, you need to make sure that the download won't infect your computer with a virus or malware. Here are some easy tips that can help keep you safe and secure.
In general, there are plenty of well-known trustworthy sources out there where you can download and feel pretty secure about it. For instance, you probably are pretty safe downloading a new song from iTunes or an e-book from the Kindle store at Amazon. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google and other big names typically are safe, but there are plenty of other sources of downloads that are much more dubious. If you are downloading a free game from a source you don't know, you also might be downloading a "free" computer virus. If you don't know the source, do research about it prior to the download.
File extensions also can be troublesome, and these are located at the end of every file and might look like .gif or perhaps .jpeg. There are many different extensions and often those that look like .exe, .doc, .scr and .bat can be malicious. However, anytime you download from a source you aren't 100% sure about, it is wise to scan the file first with your anti-virus program.
You might not realize it, but when you receive links in emails from friends or associates, these could potentially contain a virus or other malware. Often they are disguised as links to a funny video or an outrageous news story. It might appear to come from a trustworthy source, such as major news organization. However, if you hover over the link (without clicking on it) and look at the bottom of your browser screen, you will see its true location. What looks like it came from CNN or YouTube might come from a malicious site that is trying to hack into your PC.
Another common problem occurs when people attempt to download copyrighted items such as music or movies from sites illegally. If you cannot find a song, movie or book from a legitimate source such as iTunes or Amazon, other sites often sell them illegally. However, not only is the buyer violating copyright law, the seller might be including a virus along with your download.
If your PC does become infected, removing the malware can be tricky and time-consuming, so it's often easier to simply call in a Portland computer repair expert to handle the job for you. GeeksAKnockin', for instance, offers computer support in Portland, computer support in Hillsboro, computer support in Gresham, computer repair in Beaverton and throughout the Portland area.
In general, there are plenty of well-known trustworthy sources out there where you can download and feel pretty secure about it. For instance, you probably are pretty safe downloading a new song from iTunes or an e-book from the Kindle store at Amazon. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google and other big names typically are safe, but there are plenty of other sources of downloads that are much more dubious. If you are downloading a free game from a source you don't know, you also might be downloading a "free" computer virus. If you don't know the source, do research about it prior to the download.
File extensions also can be troublesome, and these are located at the end of every file and might look like .gif or perhaps .jpeg. There are many different extensions and often those that look like .exe, .doc, .scr and .bat can be malicious. However, anytime you download from a source you aren't 100% sure about, it is wise to scan the file first with your anti-virus program.
You might not realize it, but when you receive links in emails from friends or associates, these could potentially contain a virus or other malware. Often they are disguised as links to a funny video or an outrageous news story. It might appear to come from a trustworthy source, such as major news organization. However, if you hover over the link (without clicking on it) and look at the bottom of your browser screen, you will see its true location. What looks like it came from CNN or YouTube might come from a malicious site that is trying to hack into your PC.
Another common problem occurs when people attempt to download copyrighted items such as music or movies from sites illegally. If you cannot find a song, movie or book from a legitimate source such as iTunes or Amazon, other sites often sell them illegally. However, not only is the buyer violating copyright law, the seller might be including a virus along with your download.
If your PC does become infected, removing the malware can be tricky and time-consuming, so it's often easier to simply call in a Portland computer repair expert to handle the job for you. GeeksAKnockin', for instance, offers computer support in Portland, computer support in Hillsboro, computer support in Gresham, computer repair in Beaverton and throughout the Portland area.
About the Author:
Frankline Bell enjoys writing reviews on computer repairs and support companies. For further details about the best computer repair Hillsboro Oregon professionals or to find out more about Portland computer repair services, please go to the GeeksAKnockin.com website now.
