A type of malware that disguises itself as a normal file to trick a user into downloading it in order to gain unauthorized access to a computer.

The recent VPN Filter malware revealed the abundance of security issues in many of the Internet routers we rely on every day. One vulnerability you can close right away involves universal plug and play (UPnP), a service for automatically configuring some devices on the network. Turn it off unless you’re sure you need it.

Private browsing is a good way to keep browsing history secret and avoid cluttering your machine with cookies and temporary files. However, it’s not a security measure per se – you can still be spied on and hit with malware infections while nominally incognito. Combine private browsing with antivirus software and other protective measures.

A program that spreads by first infecting files or the system areas of a computer or network router’s hard drive and then making copies of itself. Some viruses are harmless, others may damage data files, and some may destroy files entirely.

One of the side stories of a 2018 international summit in Singapore was the provision of USB-powered fans to members of the media. Such peripherals can be dangerous. They might carry malware that can hijack connected devices. Never plug in a peripheral that you don’t trust or that comes from an unknown vendor.

Despite its name, the term “spyware” doesn’t refer to something used by undercover operatives, but rather by the advertising industry. In fact, spyware is also known as “adware.” It refers to a category of software that, when installed on your computer, may send you pop-up ads, redirect your browser to certain web sites, or monitor […]