Clean Malware Off Your Computer with Adware Medic
For years Macs have been more resistant to getting computer viruses and other types of malware then their Windows counterparts. While this is generally still true, it is possible to have malware installed on a Mac. The most common way for this to occur is for a program to be disguised as something else so the user thinks that are installing one piece of software but they are really installing software that is bad for their computer. For example, an update to Adobe Flash is needed so a user does a google search for Flash. They click on a link for the Flash update but instead of it being a link from Adobe’s website it’s a link to another site. The user downloads the software and gives permission for it to be installed. Flash might be updated but other software is also installed at the same time.
Software that is installed by deceptive means is known as malware. Sometimes it’s simply annoying adware. This type of software displays ads via pop up windows on the computer. It doesn’t do anything overtly bad to the computer but it can cause the computer to run slowly and clutter the screen with distracting ads. On a more harmful level, malware can actually steal information stored on the computer and send it over the internet to people who use it for identity theft.
The best way to protect yourself is to never download software from untrusted sources. The Mac App Store and Apple’s Software Updates can always be trusted as Apple verifies these updates to be safe before making them available for installation. If you need to install or update software from a third party source on the internet, make sure it’s from a developer that you can trust and that you are downloading the software directly from their website. Software that promises you free access to content that you would normally pay for (movies, music, apps, etc…) should never be trusted.
If you have any questions about what is safe to install, you can contact us at CranstonIT for help. Also, if you are concerned that you may have already installed malware on your computer, there is a free tool available called Adware Medic that will scan your computer for adware and malware and help you remove it. If you are a contract customer with CranstonIT, you can download this tool from the CIT Menu Bar icon on your computer. It can also be downloaded from their website www.adwaremedic.com.
The best way to protect yourself is to never download software from untrusted sources. The Mac App Store and Apple’s Software Updates can always be trusted as Apple verifies these updates to be safe before making them available for installation. If you need to install or update software from a third party source on the internet, make sure it’s from a developer that you can trust and that you are downloading the software directly from their website. Software that promises you free access to content that you would normally pay for (movies, music, apps, etc…) should never be trusted.
If you have any questions about what is safe to install, you can contact us at CranstonIT for help. Also, if you are concerned that you may have already installed malware on your computer, there is a free tool available called Adware Medic that will scan your computer for adware and malware and help you remove it. If you are a contract customer with CranstonIT, you can download this tool from the CIT Menu Bar icon on your computer. It can also be downloaded from their website www.adwaremedic.com.