In this day and age, not knowing how your computer works can be dangerous. What you do to safeguard your data may just end up being your undoing. You may think I am being melodramatic, but it really is true. I have many friends who were undone by something as simple as an online computer check.
You see, nowadays people do almost everything online. Getting an online virus scanner is simply a matter of common sense to most people. Indeed, most of the time those who download a free online virus scan turn out okay. Most online virus scanning software, after all, comes from legitimate companies. You can safely use a Symantec VirusScan, a McAfee anti virus 14 day trial, or many other online virus removal programs from respectable companies. Every once in awhile, however, people will hit on something that is not what it looks like. Getting the wrong online virus scan can literally ruin all your data and perhaps even destroy your hard drive.
You see, one of the favorite hacker tricks is to disguise a virus as an online virus scan. The irony probably appeals to these people, but more than that, there is a technical reason to do this. When you install an online virus scan, you are telling the computer to do whatever that particular piece of software says. A Trojan horse virus disguised as a virus scan online can hijack your computer more effectively than most viruses can. It can tell you that your computer is clear of viruses while actually taking control of it. Then it can use your computer for all kinds of malicious uses including sending out spam e-mails, denial of service attacks, or harvesting sensitive personal information. Many of these fake online virus scans will even just destroy your computer for the pure maliciousness of it.
This is why you have to research any online virus scan or for that many matter, any software you download. Criminal websites are getting more and more sophisticated, and many of them can fool all but the most cautious and savvy user. Whether you are downloading an online virus scanner, a free online game, or a piece of supposedly cracked software, you could be putting yourself in danger. Although the chances are fairly low, if you do it enough you will fall victim eventually. This is why you have to do everything you can to minimize your risk.
9:54 AM