We all generally know to avoid sketchy websites that may be infected with malware that can lead to serious problems if you unwittingly download the malware such as ransomware, keystroke logging malware that can lead to identity theft or other types of malware. However, even if you make a concerted effort to avoid websites that may be likely to contain malware, you still may find yourself in danger.   According to a study by Menlo Security 42% of the most visited websites on the Internet were vulnerable to malware being planted on these thought-to-be safe websites.

A major problem is that many popular websites use outdated servers that make them vulnerable to malware and data breaches. Another problem comes from many websites including content from third parties such as companies that provide advertising.   Malvertising is the name for malware infected advertising that can turn up on legitimate websites and can be downloaded on to your computer or phone by either clicking on links in the advertising or even, in some cases, by merely going to the website where the tainted advertising appears even if you never click on the ad.

In other instances scammers infect legitimate websites with malware by exploiting security flaws.  Merely by going to an infected website you can end up downloading the malware without clicking on any links.

TIPS

The first thing to do to protect yourself from being victimized by malware found on websites is to avoid those websites that may appear not to be legitimate. You also should have strong security software on all of your electronic devices including your computer and cell phone, making sure that you update your security software with the latest security patches as soon as they are made available. Keeping your browser updated with the latest versions is also important as many browsers provide some level of protection from malware infected sites.. Finally, you may wish to install ad blocking software that prevents you from becoming victimized by malvertising in all forms.

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#malvertising

Phone calls, emails, and text messages are among the primary ways that scam artists, the only criminals we call artists, contact their targeted victims. Scammers have a knowledge of psychology that Freud would have envied, and they are adept at luring us to click on malware-infected links, provide personal information that can lead to identity theft, or make a payment. Anyone can be scammed. For years, I have told you, “Trust me, you can’t trust anyone,” and that you should be skeptical of emails, phone calls, and text messages prompting you to act. But how can you know if a phone call, email, or text message is legitimate? Fortunately, there is a terrific new product called ScamAssist® from Iris® Powered by Generali that you can turn to quickly to let you know if that communication is a scam. It can be a lifesaver. While Iris® Powered by Generali doesn’t offer ScamAssist for direct purchase, if you’re a business professional looking to fill a product gap in your portfolio and want to provide customers a service they’ll truly value, contact Iris at IrisIdentityProtection.com/Scamicide to learn how you can get started. Join a growing list of companies – such as Staples – that have recognized that providing ScamAssist to its customers helps protect them and generates goodwill.