Maybe malware? 6 ways to protect your devices

October 5, 2023

By Kim Komando

Ah, malware. These insidious little programs crawl into our phones, laptops and other smart devices and wreak havoc.

Usually, you can trust the Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, Amazon apps and all other official sources. That said, it’s just plain smart to “trust but verify.” 

All these are free and most only take minutes, if not seconds:

• Keep your devices updated. Don’t put off updating because it’s too inconvenient. These “annoying” updates often contain tighter and better security measures.
• Do your research. If an app looks good, Google it before you download it. A few minutes of research could save your phone, data and even your bank account.
• Scan the reviews. As tempting as some free (or cheap) apps are, the proof is in the pudding. Look for reviews mentioning devices behaving strangely after downloading.
• Never grant permissions blindly. I get it. Our 2023 attention spans are very limited. Still, the time you take to read exactly what permissions you’re granting is time well spent. The app’s description will include everything it asks for.
• No jailbreaking. Not only are you voiding any warranties and risking increased freezes and crashing, but you’re also agreeing to a decreased level of cybersecurity.

You know what they say: “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to phish and he’ll steal your bank password.”

🛠️ Want even more anti-malware tools in your toolkit? Smart! Use this easy, free check to see if a site or file contains malware.