When selecting an antivirus program, it's essential to choose a reputable and trusted company. Ensure you make your purchase directly from the company's official website. Opting for a bargain based on an ad in your email or social media could lead you to download an antivirus that is actually malware in disguise.
If you find yourself installing an antivirus from a company you've never heard of, it may well be a fake. A telltale sign is if it scans incredibly fast, finds numerous threats, and then prompts you to pay for their removal. As shown in the screenshots above, fake antivirus software can look very similar to the real thing. However, sharp-eyed users might notice anomalies. For instance, should you really trust an antivirus with "2015" in its name? Sticking to trusted sources ensures you won’t have to worry about such issues.
The Horror of Ransomware
If ransomware targets your computer, you won’t know until it’s too late. The ransomware operates stealthily, encrypting your important files without your knowledge. Once the damage is done, the malware demands your attention with a ransom note. The perpetrators promise that if you pay the specified ransom—usually in Bitcoin or another untraceable currency—you’ll get your files back. Most will follow through to maintain their reputation as "honest crooks." However, if they take your money and run, you can’t exactly report them to the Better Business Bureau. A direct encounter with ransomware is something you definitely want to avoid.
The ransomware known as Petya, depicted above, doesn’t just encrypt your files. It displays a convincing replica of a blue-screen error and then fakes a lengthy CHKDSK recovery upon reboot. However, instead of recovering your data, it’s encrypting your disk. When finished, it flashes a garish ASCII-art skull to grab your attention. Press any key, and you receive the bad news along with instructions for paying the ransom.
Screen locker malware doesn’t encrypt your files; it simply covers up the desktop and all programs, sometimes with a threat screen or a pretty picture. Either way, you can’t use your computer. Often, such attacks claim to be from some division of law enforcement, demanding that you pay a fine in untraceable currency. In some cases, you can call such ransomware’s bluff with simple recovery techniques. However, it's always better to use ransomware protection and avoid the need for recovery altogether.