Compromised computer? Clean it before heading online again
Having
your home computer hacked is something no one wants to experience, but
unfortunately it does happen from time to time. If your computer has been
compromised, there are certain things you should do before venturing online
with it again. This is particularly important before you conduct any online
banking. Included below are several steps you should take to ensure your
computer is safe to take online again:
1.
Change your
passwords to all financial or other critical sites immediately (and frequently)
using a safe computer not normally used to conduct banking activities. Using a
different computer minimizes, if not eliminates, the chances of the fraudsters
gaining the newly updated password information.
2.
Stop accessing
financial sites from the compromised computer until:
a) You’ve reported this to police (as it is fraud); and
b) You’ve taken steps to clean the PC that was
compromised, as recommended below:
i.
Have a software
firm ‘clean’ the computer to ensure that it is free of all unauthorized
programs.
ii.
Have the software
firm confirm that all virus protection and firewall software is updated to its
most recent version.
iii.
Have the software
firm report in writing all unauthorized software found, the action taken and
that the virus protection software is current and up to date.