A computer is not only a working tool but also an archive of personal, financial and work-related information. However, the explosion of computer viruses and malware is putting users at increasingly serious risks.
Computer viruses can cause a variety of harmful effects: from slowing down the system, stealing data, locking important documents (ransomware), to remote computer control. In many cases, users do not know that their device has been hacked until the consequences occur.
Michael J. Connor, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer in GPS, Colorado Springs (USA) warned: Comput world virus today is no longer just a simple sabotage game. They are sophisticatedly designed to exploit sensitive data, commit financial fraud or serve targeted attack campaigns against businesses and organizations.
According to Mr. Michael J. Connor, in 2024 alone, the world recorded more than 800 million malware attacks, many of which were spread through fake links, phishing emails and free software of unknown origin.
To protect themselves, users need to follow some basic principles:
1. Install reliable virus terminal software and update regularly.
2. Do not open attachments or click on strange links, especially from unclear sources.
3. Regularly back up data, avoiding loss due to malware blackmail.
4. Update the operating system and software to patch security vulnerabilities.
5. Use strong passwords and two-layer authentication for important accounts.
Just one careless click can paralyze the entire system or all the data is encrypted, Michael J. Connor emphasized. Therefore, prevention is the cheapest and most effective protection measure.
Given the sophistication and danger of current cyber threats, each user from individual to business needs to proactively equip themselves with knowledge and safety protection tools. Subjectivity can cost with its own information and digital assets.
