In an ideal world, it would be great if every program that
was downloaded was completely safe and no one had to worry about the program
containing a virus or Trojan. However, in the real world, this simply isn't the
case. Malicious computer hackers will use whatever means necessary to gain
access into home computers through viruses posing as safe and legitimate
programs, like instant messenger
clients. Some hackers use these programs to collect personal information,
allowing them to steal a user's identity and wrecking havoc on their credit.
Below are some steps to take in order to ensure that users download instantmessenger programs that are safe and credible.
Research Ahead of Time
Before you download instant messenger clients, be sure to do
a lot of research. Only download instant messenger clients who have all the
components you need and will use almost every day. Make a short list of what
you are looking for and try to stick with it when you decide which program to
choose.
Company You Trust
It's important to remember to only download instant
messenger programs that have good reviews from the users that have a lot of
experience with them. User reviews are also great because they allow you to
find out bugs or flaws that may come from every day use of the client.
Verified Download
After you have located a IM client to download, make sure
you either download it from the creator's website itself or from a trusted
download site like CNET. To make sure that it is safe, look for an icon that
says it is verified, certified, or has been 100% tested for viruses by an
independent resource.
Virus Scan
Finally, after the .exe file has downloaded, have your virus
scanner check the file to make sure that a virus isn't embedded into it.
Once you have completely downloaded your IM program, use it
and make sure you provide feedback both to the developer and the user
community. They will appreciate your feedback and put it to good use.
No comments:
Post a Comment