Keeping your computer and private data safe used to be something easy. Nowadays, however, there are countless ways damaging viruses and malware can get into your operating system.
Every day people’s identities are being stolen, medical data is being sold on the black market, financial information is being misused, and people’s private files are being accessed.
The following will explore some of the things you can do to help protect your computer from malicious viruses and software. In particular, it will focus on those who have Windows as their operating system.
Use Antivirus And Antimalware Applications
Of course, if you want to keep your devices safe, you need to install an application that will protect your computer from threats. This is step number one. What you want to do is search for a solid application that is designed for the specific version of Windows that you are working with.
For example, if you’re working with Windows 7, you’re going to watch to seek out an antivirus download for Windows 7. This is going to help you ensure that the application you choose is right for your specific security concerns. Each version of Windows has its own potential breaches that need to be addressed.
Complete Your Updates
Yes. It is annoying getting a message six times a day that asks you if you want to update your computer. You click “Remind Me Later” because you’re busy working on a school or work project and need access to your computer. You might ask the machine to remind you in a few hours or tomorrow, but part of you wishes that there was a “Remind Me Never” button.
When it comes to protecting your computer from viruses and malware, it’s always a good idea to complete your updates as soon as they are available. Updates can address problems or weak spots in your computer’s security systems.
As hackers and cybercriminals get used to an operating system, they find ways to exploit the system. Updates are released, in part, to eradicate spaces where a system can be exploited.
Updates also help ensure that your system is as new as it can be, meaning fewer people have had the time to figure out where its weaknesses lie.
Use A Pop-Up Blocker
It’s pretty easy nowadays to install a pop-up blocker. Pop-up windows are those tiny windows that show up when you are looking at a website; often, these are just ads, but they can also be malicious or contain unsafe coding.
You can seek out extensions for your browsers that protect you from pop-ups. (While you’re at it, you can very easily install an extension that blocks all advertisements and massively protect your inner peace and mental wellness.) Installing an extension for your browser takes only a few moments and can save you a ton of headaches later on.
You can also get ahold of extensions that do wondrous things like hiding all the comments on YouTube videos to prevent you from getting lost in anger-inducing wastes of your time.
Really, that person leaving the comment isn’t going to end up leading the country; it doesn’t matter that their beliefs are stupid; it affects no one. (In all likelihood, they’re a strange person living in a basement eating takeout and never interacting with people in real life.)
Don’t Open Messages From Unfamiliar Senders Or Email Attachments You Weren’t Expecting
One of the easiest ways to break down someone’s security system is to send an email with an attachment that they click on. Once that attachment is downloading, there is very little that you can do to stop it, especially if it downloads quickly. Viruses can spread the moment you open the attachment.
Always be aware of who sent the email to you and whether or not you were expecting an attachment from them. If you’re unsure whether or not they meant to send you an attachment, you can call them or speak to them outside of the email.
If you must download attachments, choose to save and scan them instead of outright opening them. Most antivirus software gives you the option to manually scan the file before you open it.
The above tips should help get you set up for keeping your computer and your files safe. Of course, if you have a reason to believe that you are being targeted for a cybercrime for any particular reason, these tips will help, but your best course of action is to reach out to the authorities or a professional security provider.
