How To Prevent, Detect, And Remove Trojan Horses?

Has your computer developed a mind of its own?  Is your computer doing things such as the mouse moving on its own and the CD-ROM drawer moving on its own? You knew your computer was smart, but not smart, right?

Wondering how to prevent, detect, and remove Trojan Horses?  It is good to know that there are steps you can take to help prevent, detect, and remove Trojan Horses.

Like the ancient Greek Trojan Horses that appeared as innocent, but were very destructive.  Computer Trojan Horses are malicious software that masquerade as something harmless, useful, and innocent. In fact, a Trojan could take full control of your computer!  The hacker could actually have more control of your computer than you have.  This is a serious threat to your Internet security and privacy.

The cyber crook could even install a keystroke logger onto your computer, allowing them to see every keystroke you type.  The keylogger could allow them to record your passwords, banking info, credit card number, and other personal information.  This could enable the hacker to steal your identity.  You could become yet another victim of identity theft, which happens to be one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.

Trojan Horses get into your system by pretending to be something good, useful, and innocent.  This is very much like the ancient Greek Trojan Horse.  Did you download an image or video file off of Usenet, a cool game or MP3 music file from a file sharing site such as Kazaa or Limewire?  The file very well might be bundled with more than you bargained for – a Trojan  Horse or other malicious software.

Trojan Horses are downright scary and a real threat to your Internet security and privacy.  In fact, this malware could lead to you becoming a victim of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.  Ready to disconnect your Internet forever and throw your computer out the window?  Well, don’t do that just yet. It is should be reassuring that there are things that we can do to help prevent, detect, and remove Trojan Horses.

• Probably the biggest line of defense to help prevent having your computer infected with a Trojan Horse or other malicious software is being careful what you do online.
• Beware of homemade CDs and floppy disks. If you plan to use these disks in your computer, scan them with your anti-virus software first.
• If you have no other internet security software installed on your computer, ensure you have antivirus software installed on your computer.  Antivirus software is much better than a few short years ago at detecting Trojans.  Most, but not all, Trojan Horses are detected with modern antivirus software.  Though most antivirus software updates automatically now, ensure that you keep it up-to-date.  Remember that antivirus software is only as good as the last update.
• Avoid using file sharing sites using the Gnutella network to download free movies, MP3 music files, etc.  These sites are lnotorious for containing files infected with malware, including Trojan Horses.
• Use caution when downloading files off Usenet.
• Also, be careful what you freeware you download.  That cool game could very well contain more than you bargained for – a Trojan Horse virus or other malicious software.
• Only download programs from reputable sources.
• Never accept programs transferred by instant messaging applications.
• Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know. 
• In fact, never open an email attachment from even someone you know that is unfamiliar and/or unexpected, as their system could be infected with a Trojan Horse or other malware.  Confirm that the sender did actually send you the email before opening.
• Finally, be sure to keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches, to help protect yourself from Trojan Horses and other malicious software.  

By following these Internet security tips you can indeed help prevent, detect, and remove Trojan Horses and other malicious software.  When it comes to Trojan Horses and other malware, an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.

Beware of homemade CDs and floppy disks. If you plan to use these disks in your computer, scan them with your anti-virus software first.