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Social Media & Web Security; Protect Yourself from Malware Threats via Social Media with Webroot's Antivirus and Antispyware Software

Many of these social media sites are, of course, working diligently to stop malware threats before they're launched, but viruses and spyware are often put into cyberspace and start attacking users' computers before these sites ever even know they exist.

Fortunately for those who use social media sites, there are ways to increase your web security and protect yourself from a wide range of threats without making drastic changes to the way you use social media. They include:

    --  Not accepting "friend requests" from people you don't know. Such
        requests could contain links that launch malicious software and allows
        hackers access to your computer.
    --  Installing antivirus software that offers real-time virus protection,
        such as Webroot® AntiVirus with Spy Sweeper. This multi-layered
        security software protects against a broad range of threats, including
        viruses, spyware, adware, worms, pop-ups, Trojans, key loggers and
        rootkits.
    --  Reporting suspicious e-mails allegedly sent from the social media site
        to those who own and manage the site.
    --  Watching for strange e-mails or links that appear to be from friends.
    --  Avoiding the pitfalls of overconfidence. Although you may have the best
        antispyware or antivirus software available, nothing can help users
        avoid malware threats via social media like common sense - and making
        thoughtful decisions about their own online usage.
    --  Choose a password wisely, making it different from one site to the next
        and incorporate numbers, letters and special characters like !, $, and *

For employers who allow their staff to use social media at work, an important, but often-overlooked step in web security is education and policy development. By keeping your employees informed about the latest malware threats via social media and privacy policy changes, installing company-wide antivirus and antispyware software, and developing sensible policies about when and how to use these sites, you can help mitigate malware threats via social media and take advantage of the opportunities these online communities offer.

SOURCE Webroot