In this article from best online casino usa, we will be giving you tips on how to avoid downloading malicious files on the internet.
1. Search for the Official Sources
When downloading any file or software, you should first find it on the official sources. There is no risk of malware getting into your computer when you download files from there. So, only download files from trusted websites and avoid downloading anything from third-party sources. However, if you cannot find the file on the official source, you can turn to third-party ones. When you do so, there are some checks you should perform to ensure the files are safe to download. Some of these checks are listed below.
2. Check the SSL Certificate of the Website
Avoid visiting a website that lacks an SSL certificate to prevent compromising your security. An SSL certificate establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your browser and the web server where the site you’re visiting is hosted. URLs of SSL-enabled websites typically begin with HTTPS instead of HTTP. In addition, you will see the padlock icon right before the URL, further confirming that the connection your browser has with the website is encrypted.
3. Check Domain TLD
Do not allow scammers to defraud you with a TLD. The TLD is the part of the domain name that comes at the end, usually separated by a dot from the main domain name. The most common TLDs are .COM, .ORG, and .NET. Hackers often register the same domain name as the official website with a different domain TLD. For instance, you could sometimes land at Microsoft.tech instead of Microsoft.com. People fall into scammers’ traps when they fail to read as the domain name is the same. So, always keep an eye out for the domain TLD when downloading files from official sources, along with the correct domain name, courtesy of https://www.australianonlinecasinosites.com/casino-games/.
4. Check Domain Age
If a website has an SSL certificate and a strong TLD, but you have never heard of it before and are still reluctant to download any files from it, it is best to check the domain age. Scammers probably run relatively new websites, so you should stay away from them. On the contrary, you can download your files if the site has been operating for many years. There are hundreds of tools available for checking domain age, but WHOIS is the best. It displays the exact date the domain was registered, when it was last updated, and when it will expire. Hence, before downloading a file from a suspicious website, you should always check how old the domain is.
5. Look for Website Reviews
To learn what other people think of the website you plan to download a file from, check out forums and review websites. The best way to find them is to type allintitle: website name into the Google search bar and hit Enter. The ranked websites and forum pages where people are talking about the website will come up in the search results for you to explore further.
6. Only Use Sites That You Trust
It might sound obvious, but sometimes it can be tempting to download from a site you haven’t checked out first. you might be sat with your fingers crossed but that’s not going to give you the protection you need. So, first of all, only download files from sites that you trust. There are many shady websites out there that host malicious software, and it is best to avoid them altogether.
7. Always Use an Anti-Virus Program
Secondly, always scan any file you download with an anti-virus program before opening it. This will help to ensure that any virus or malware present in the file is detected and removed before it can cause any damage. Malware can be disguised as legitimate files, so even if you trust the site you’re downloading from, it is still a good idea to scan the file before opening it. Sings of having a virus or malware on your computer include :
Your computer runs slowly or crashes more than usual
You see strange pop-ups or error messages
Files or programs you didn’t install appear on your computer
Unusual activity occurs on your internet browser
