Large Percentage Of Computer Users Still Without Antispyware Software

Online, December 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Given that an estimated 40 percent of computers are not running antivirus software or antispyware software and that some malware disables security software, which opens the door to additional infections, there are many more infected computers than people realize.

Has your computer been acting funny, crashing, running slow, or displaying unusual error messages? Have you been promiscuously clicking on Web links and opening up attachments from strangers? You could have a malware infection.

What are the warning signs of an infection?

An infection may cause the computer to run more slowly than normal, stop responding, or just crash. Applications may not work properly, and disk drives may be inaccessible. There may be unusual error messages and distorted menus and dialog boxes.

If spyware or adware is on your machine, in addition to it running slower, there may be new toolbars and links in your browser; your home page, mouse pointer, or search engine may be changed; you may be redirected to a different Web page from the one you typed in; and there may be pop-up ads even if you are not connected to the Internet.

Typically, fake antivirus is the only malware that shows itself and that's because it's designed to trick you into thinking you have an infection so you will pay money to have it cleaned up, said David Perry, global director of education at Trend Micro. "The bad guys are building the smallest, lightest, most undetectable items they can so you don't get symptoms at all," he said. "They are entirely silent and entirely invisible."

Even if you practice safe computing and don't click on random links that lead to malicious Web sites or open unsolicited attachments hiding a virus or Trojan, you could get infected. Searching for free stuff and using adult and pirate Web sites can also increase your chances of encountering malware. Legitimate Web pages can be hiding malware that gets stealthily dropped on your computer in so-called drive-by downloads. More than 1 million Web sites were infected with malware during the second quarter of this year, many of them innocent sites whose administrators are unaware of the hidden malware, according to antimalware service provider Dasient.