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OVERVIEW MALWARE PROTECTION SECURITY TIPS

Malware is one tool that hackers can use to steal your cryptocurrency.  Follow our malware protection security tips to reduce the chance of being infected and losing your currency. Malware can do more than just harm your computer files, it can also be used to:

  • Monitor programs running on your computer (like your cryptowallet)
  • Copy data that resides in RAM (like your private keys).
  • Copy files on your hard drive (like your unencrypted password lists and unencrypted wallet files).
  • Record your keystrokes (like when you enter your password)
  • Take snapshots of your screen (to see your seed.).
  • Change the contents of your clipboard (to change your cryptocurrency send-to address so funds will be sent to the hacker, not your mom).
  • Encrypt all your files and force you to pay a ransom, such as with bitcoin.

The stolen data can be sent back to the bad mothership.

Malware is a general term for things like viruses, spyware, Trojans, worms, etc. It used to be that “anti-virus” programs only tried to detect and remove viruses (destructive programs which tried to replicate and spread), meanwhile “anti-malware” programs took care of everything else. These days those lines are pretty blurred and most of the major antivirus vendors are trying to do both. But we will still refer to malware in the general sense.

You may have malware even if your computer is not doing obviously bad things, like locking your screen or deleting files. In fact, more often than not, malware now tries to keep itself on the down-low so that it can do silently do its dirty work. You may not even know you are infected.  For this reason, you should follow our malware protection security tips.

Some people will claim that only Windows (and not Mac or Linux) computers can get infected with malware. We don’t want to start any religious fights but we do not fully agree with this claim. If you have a Mac or Linux then read about Mac viruses infection frequency and decide for yourself. If you have a Windows then you are DEFINITELY a target of malware.

Be aware that anti-malware/virus programs are not perfect and they might miss some newer viruses. There are infections called “zero-day” threats which are so new that the anti-virus/malware programs do not have fixes for them at first. Also note that antimalware/virus programs, when running in “real-time” protection mode will also slow your computer down a little. But usually, you will not notice this.

STANDARD MALWARE PROTECTION SECURITY TIPS

To protect your funds, follow these fairly standard malware protection security tips:

  1. INSTALL ANTIVIRUS: Install an antivirus program. Configure it to run daily when you are not using the computer. (We have no specific anti-virus recommendation so Google “Best antivirus 2018”)
  2. REAL-TIME PROTECTION: Run the antivirus with “real-time” protection. This mode will check websites and downloads before you access them.
  3. UP-TO-DATE: Keep anti-virus programs up to date. Allow them to auto-update, or at least allow them to notify you when a new version is available.
  4. BOOT SCAN: Better anti-virus programs will allow you to do what is called a “BOOT-SCAN” which is a more thorough and reliable scanning mechanism. Avast is one of those programs.
  5. SUSPICIOUS ATTACHMENTS: Don’t open suspicious/unsolicited email attachments. Also, be cautious about downloading free software – in particular, the kind that seems too good to be true. (See our phishing prevention security tips.)
  6. EXTERNAL DRIVES: Scan any potentially infected external hard drive or USB flash memory devices.
Sometimes it is the fault of your computer/laptop/tablet operating system itself for allowing malware to get into your computer. So, do this:
  1. UPDATE OS: Keep your computer operating system up to date with the latest security patches from the manufacturer.
  2. AUTO-UPDATE: Consider enabling “auto-updates” of patches to your operating system.
  3. NO XP: Do not use Windows XP. It is no longer being updated with the latest security patches.
  4. ALL UPDATED: Keep the computer OS of any computer that touches your or is connected to your coins up to date.
  5. UPDATE BROWSER: Keep your browser(s) up to date – enable automatic updates.
  6. EMAIL LINKS: Don’t ever click on emailed links they claim to be critical patches for your computer.

ADVANCED MALWARE PROTECTION SECURITY TIPS

The following advanced malware protection security tips are for those who want additional security and are willing to put in extra effort to get it.  These tips may also address more rare, fringe issues.

  1. EXTRA ANTIVIRUS: Consider installing an additional dedicated Anti-Malware program – yes, we said this could be redundant with an anti-virus but not completely so. Run the anti-malware program “manually” when you think about it, but at least once a week. While the malware is running consider temporarily disable the antivirus program. Otherwise, they could interfere with each other, cause false positives and/or just slow the computer down.
  2. DIFFERENT OS: Consider using or installing a more secure operating system, such as Linux. Optionally, you could install Linux in a “dual-boot” configuration. This allows you to choose to run Windows or Linux at any time simply by rebooting your computer. You could use Linux when working with your wallet and Windows at other times. But this is not a trivial step if you don’t know anything about it. Some tablet computers are already built to use Linux.

See all of our cryptocurrency security tips.

In the comments below, you can add your own tips, and/or correct or dispute our tips.

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