Beware of the Hidden Threats of Corrupted Software Files!

From a minimal calendar app, to a jazzy media player or a popular PC game, we all love downloading freebies from the Internet. And this common interest of ours is just well too known by attackers.

Beware of the Hidden Threats of Corrupted Software Files

Downloadable files on the Internet are one of the most common mediums used by attackers to transmit viruses and malware. An attacker can insert a malicious code into a file which could be a word doc, image, or any other file which is normally considered to be innocuous. Once the attacker has compromised a file, they may distribute it via an email, websites, torrent link, social media channels, etc. The type of malicious code launched by the attacker depends on the end result they want to achieve. For instance, if a hacker is after your personal information like usernames, passwords, bank account information, etc., then they would trick you into downloading a spyware-infected file on your computer. Once inside the system, the spyware will collect all possible information about you and pass it on the attacker.

So, what common problems can corrupted software cause?

Depending on the malicious code the software has been corrupted with, the problems may vary. However, most malicious codes are designed to perform one or more of the following functions:

  1. Slowing down your computer. Infected machines may start freezing frequently, and become unresponsive.
  2. Corrupting the core files of the infected computer.
  3. Stealing data stored in the computer, and information related to the user’s Internet activities.
  4. Allowing other viruses and malware to gain entry into the system.
  5. Giving partial or full access of the computer to the attacker.
  6. Using the infected computer as a bot to attack other victims.
  7. Redirecting users to fake websites and stealing their login ID and passwords, even financial details.
  8. Causing the computer to use too much memory and resources than normally required.
  9. Causing random files to go missing without your knowledge.

Safety Tips

1. The most important measure to take is to be extremely choosy about free software available on the Internet. Before downloading any type of application, ensure that you

  1. Do a quick research on the software, its user reviews and ratings.
  2. Ensure that the site you are downloading the software from is well-known and trusted.

2. While installing the software, check if it’s from a verified publisher. If it’s not, then do not proceed.

unverified publisher

3. Install an antivirus software in your PC. When you are going for it, ensure that the software offers protection against unsafe websites, infected files downloaded online, emails that carry infected links or attachments, and all types of virus and malware infections.

4. Be skeptical about unwanted or unknown emails. Even if the sender seems familiar, exercise caution if the email talks about something which you were not expecting or have no prior knowledge about.

5. Apply software updates whenever available. This is more important with Windows security updates that are released periodically. Doing so will fix any security holes that might be present in your system. Security holes are a hacker’s prime method to get their malicious code to execute on a victim’s machine. It is strongly recommended to always keep the Windows Automatic Updates ON.

Windows automatic updates

Related information

Why are Software Updates so Important for your Security

4 Computer Security Tips you Must Always Remember

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha


43 Comments

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  1. Avatar INDRAJIT GHOSALOctober 5, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    so good

    Reply
  2. Avatar bhavesh saiyaOctober 5, 2015 at 3:14 PM

    use ful informastion.

    Reply
  3. Avatar bhavesh saiyaOctober 5, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    I HAVE VIRUS IN MY PC WHEN I STARTED PC THAN HE ACTIVATE MESSAGE DISPALY ON SCREEN THAT tirsaeme has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
    TELL MICROSOFT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM

    Reply
    • Avatar Samarjit SinhaOctober 5, 2015 at 10:44 PM

      If you’re using an original version of Windows then the mentioned message should also display an error code which the system is encountering with. Just Google for that code & you can be able to know the possible causes behind the problem. There can be various reasons behind this kind of problem including virus infection.

      You can also try the Quick Heal Emergency disc if you have one, proving that it’s created with the latest virus signature database. Boot from the disc & it’ll detect & repair any boot time infection if there is any.

      You can also try to format C drive & go for a clean install of Windows.

      Reply
  4. A very informative information. Glad that you are spreading this type of information. Will hope in future, you will also like to such precious information with the users.

    Reply
  5. excellent information for users they working always online.

    Reply
  6. useful

    Reply
  7. So Good

    Reply
  8. Am very thankful to quickheal 4 awaring everyone against malwares and viruses…. Gr8 job!!!

    Reply
  9. Avatar Dr Sachindra KanoriaOctober 5, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    an out of context question.

    what is the purpose of CAPTCHA.

    can you please send a copy of reply to my mail.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaOctober 6, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      Hello Dr. Sachindra Kanoria,

      A CAPTCHA (an acronym for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”) is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to determine whether or not the user is human. This tool is used to block spammers and bots that try to automatically harvest email addresses or try to automatically sign up for or make use of Web sites, blogs or forums.

      Regards,

      Reply
  10. Avatar Mahesh Kumar SoniOctober 6, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    But in you andriod mobile antivirus total security there is no applock service how to safe handset app
    play store

    Reply
  11. hi

    i have a version 15.0 of quick heal and an update recently poped up to update my version to 16.0. It said it will reboot my present files and save the files on the new version.
    Is this true or a fake!! Does the site for quick heal start with https or http?? Please guide me!!

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaOctober 6, 2015 at 11:17 AM

      Hi Nilesh,

      If you have receive the prompt from your Quick Heal software, then it is a genuine message. However, in case of any doubt, our support team can help you with this:
      1. Kindly submit your query at https://bit.ly/Askus
      2. You can also contact them at 0-927-22-33-000
      3. Alternatively, you can chat with our engineers by visiting https://bit.ly/QHSupport

      Also, Quick Heal’s website’s URL begins with http. However, it does not mean that it is not safe.

      Regards,

      Reply
  12. Following warning message from Quick Heal Antivirus Pro which keeps popping up every now and then

    “Website you are visiting may be harmful
    Website:- nersojooker.com/ads.php

    Access to Website is blocked for your protection”

    Please guide me as to how to get rid of this virus which has infected my PC.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaOctober 6, 2015 at 11:16 AM

      Hi Ramesh,

      The message that you have received is nothing but an update from Quick Heal that it has blocked this particular website. So, there is nothing to worry about; your PC is safe.

      Regards,

      Reply
      • HI RAJIB SINGHA,

        I TOO HAD A SAME PROBLEM LIKE MR.RAMESH.I AM HAPPY FROM YOUR REPLY. BUT THE NOTIFICATION IS COMING OFTEN FROM QUICK HEAL.CAN YOU SAY, HOW TO STOP THIS NOTIFICATION?..

        Reply
        • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaOctober 7, 2015 at 4:57 PM

          Hi Kavin,

          If you wish to stop Quick Heal from sending you notifications, then follow the steps mentioned below:

          1. One your Taskbar, find the Quick Heal icon.
          2. Right click on it.
          3. Select Silent Mode.

          Regards,

          Reply
  13. quick heal antivirus pro product keys 9sb5-xxxxx-xxxxx-14310

    Reply
  14. Avatar mirza kaleem baigOctober 6, 2015 at 12:42 PM

    so good

    Reply
  15. Thanks for this Information of Quick Heal & windows7 updates.

    Reply
  16. Avatar mohdzeshaanOctober 6, 2015 at 3:20 PM

    Thanks

    Reply
  17. Avatar Sandeep BhaipOctober 6, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    Good

    Reply
  18. Avatar tushar desaleOctober 7, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    nice

    Reply
  19. Avatar Debashis NaikOctober 7, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    soooooooooooo gooooood i very impress it

    Reply
  20. Avatar Yunana MaloOctober 7, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    Very useful. I have been a victim of this problem. Thanks for sharing the information!

    Reply
  21. Avatar Raj kundan kumarOctober 7, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    i have some problem for my pc my downloading is not safe pls help me

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaOctober 7, 2015 at 4:50 PM

      Hi Raj,

      Why do you feel that your downloading is not safe? Could you explain to us a specific incident? We will gladly help you with a solution.

      Regards,

      Reply
  22. Very good

    Reply
  23. Avatar alpana kakatiOctober 7, 2015 at 6:09 PM

    my internet is so slow these days………. just not able to log on to facebook………. so difficult logging on to facebook……… today till now i tried to log twice during day but failed…….will try now…………lets see…….i do not download any software or games or application myself………. i only use this laptop………….kindly help…………thank you…………alpana kakati

    Reply
  24. Avatar RAMAKRISHNAOctober 7, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Really useful..the tips given are very informative to protect the computer from
    malicious or suspicious software….A great job done by Quick Heal team

    Reply
  25. Avatar Ranjit DeheriOctober 7, 2015 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks…………….

    Reply
  26. Avatar Rajesh RavalOctober 7, 2015 at 10:52 PM

    Nice

    Reply
  27. Avatar Rajesh RavalOctober 7, 2015 at 10:54 PM

    Junk

    Reply
  28. Avatar Shyam SundarOctober 9, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Quick Heal is good.

    Reply
  29. Thanks

    Reply
  30. can someone help me with this? my pc crashes (shuts down) after about 30 minutes of use. sometimes it takes about 5 minutes to boot. I did a virus scan but it came up empty.

    Reply