Welcome to the third edition of the AHQ Online Security Newsletter!
This month's theme is focused around downloading files from the internet and the measures to take if something goes not as planned.
Similar to previous editions, we have prepared a challenge for you to participate in.
Make sure to have a look at our past editions of the newsletter! You'll learn more about securing your online privacy and protecting yourself against phishing.
Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - November - Answer HQ
Answers HQ Online Security Newsletter - December - Answer HQ
Did we mention the perks of participation? Every participant receives a unique badge for their forum badge collection! Join conversation sharing your experiences, or participate in the challenge ... or both! 😉
Before moving on to the next section of the newsletter, we just wanted to thank to all our readers, both new and regular for holding the line of online safety and awareness!
Security focus - Secure Downloading
- Don't download cracks or cracked versions of the games
Apart from the ToS infringement, this might put you at risk of downloading harmful files onto your PC. Most commonly, if you are downloading files from unverified resources, you could download a trojan file which might put you at risk of revealing your sensitive data. Often, Trojan malware creates a "backdoor" for an attacker, so they can control your PC, see your keystrokes, or even your webcam. - If you are downloading mods for our games that support using them, download them from a secure resource.
• As you might know, some of our games, namely The Sims 4, and Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection, support the creativity of users by allowing the use of mods. That being said, The Sims and Command & Conquer team doesn’t pre-screen, endorse, or specifically support any particular Mod. You should use Mods with caution and understand there may be risk. When downloading mods, make sure you are doing so from a legitimate resource. For more information on mods, refer to the articles below.
Command & Conquer™ Modding FAQ
The Sims 4 - Mods and game updates - Enable Secure Boot, which helps prevent malware from running.
Secure Boot is a security feature that, upon starting your PC, checks every application which is pre-loading even before your Operating System starts. For example, if you buy accident download a malware called rootkit (or bootkit), it could potentially evade your antivirus as it operates on the same level (kernel level) as your operating system. Having Secure Boot enabled, which checks signatures of any file being loaded upon starting your system, can prevent a rootkit from being installed. - If you are downloading a mobile app, check the vendor from whom the app is coming.
Another way of unintentionally downloading a harmful file is by doing so via your phone. In some cases, not-so-legitimate applications might slip through Google/Apple systems and pretend to be well-known applications that we know. Before downloading, make sure that the app is verified (or access the app store via the product website), and if you notice anything suspicious, especially before logging in, setting up a payment method, or providing any personal data, stop, double-check, and then check again, and only then, if you are sure, continue.
In this month's discussion, let's explore the following questions:
- What are the typical symptoms of malware?
- What steps should you take if you've downloaded malware?
- How can malware be deleted?
We will, of course, look forward to hearing your experiences related to this month's topic 😊
Community Admin
Community Manager