Follow These 6 Crucial Tips to Stay Safe from Virus and Malware

Having an anti-virus installed on your PC is a great way to keep it secure. However, infected files can still bypass that security and enter your database undetected.

Some people run their PC with anti-virus software and still get a virus, while others don’t use any and stay safe.

Getting your PC infected by a virus also depends on how careful you are.

Precaution is better than cure, and although anti-virus suites can effectively battle a virus even after it has entered your PC, taking precautions will ensure your device stays safe.

Here are some ways to reduce the chances of a virus or malware attack. Your security depends on your level of concern.

Always Use an Updated Browser and OS

Most computer viruses come from websites accessed through browsers, so it’s important to keep your browser updated. No old browser version is secure because new threats appear daily on the internet. App developers frequently release updates that include bug fixes and security improvements. Browsers are used for accessing social media and bank accounts, so it’s crucial to prevent attackers from gaining access to your PC or login credentials. Avoid using Internet Explorer, as it has been abandoned by Microsoft and is vulnerable to hacker attacks.

New browsers use HTTPS and verify website certificate legitimacy—a feature absent in old browsers.

Running the latest Chrome version on an outdated Windows is not recommended either. An unsupported operating system lacks the necessary security features to handle modern malicious malware.

Scan New Disks and Files

Cloud-based data sharing services are gaining popularity and will be the primary mode of transferring data in the future. However, USB storage devices still have relevance and should be scanned before use. Avoid enabling the autorun feature on USB sticks, memory cards, or smartphones. Malware on a USB device can gain access to a PC with the autorun script enabled. Windows 8 and later versions allow you to disable autorun. Additionally, it’s advised to scan any files downloaded from the internet for infections.

Ignore Popups and Download Buttons

Pop-up advertisements asking you to claim prize money and telling you’re the lucky millionth visitor should be ignored, as should fake download buttons, especially on software download websites.

Regardless of a website’s legitimacy, users should always be cautious of fake download buttons, which usually appear on the platform through advertisement banners.

These buttons will often look out of place as they are generic and don’t match the website’s theme, and they can potentially lead to downloading malware or corrupted software.

If you doubt the website’s legitimacy and can’t find the real download button, it’s best to avoid it in the future.

Google provides a report that identifies bad websites to avoid or you can use Norton’s online Safe Web tool to check a site’s health. If you have a security suite or internet security suite, it will cover this for you.

Other popups may emerge from the bottom right of the taskbar, usually antivirus notifications.

Ignore any notifications that appear without initiating a scan and be concerned if these notifications are popping up without an antivirus on your PC. Start cleaning up your PC as soon as possible.

Beware of Email Attachments

Malware and worms often come as forwarded email attachments, typically disguised as spoof or phishing emails. These emails aim to trick you into revealing sensitive information on a fake website or downloading malware, most commonly ransomware.

Outlook and Gmail clients usually protect against such scams by identifying and filtering spam emails. However, desktop clients should be cautious when previewing emails, particularly generic ones sent to a group.

To safeguard against scammers, it’s advisable to invest in an antivirus tool with an email scanning module.

Download Software from Legitimate Source

It’s advisable to download software from the developer’s official website or a legitimate source to protect against threats. Going to the developer’s website ensures you have the latest and secure software. Operating systems have their own secure app stores where you can find software instead of searching the web.

Get Rid of Media Files That Require Extra Software Download to Run

Occasionally, you might come across a downloaded media file that doesn’t play on your regular media player and requires additional software for playback, due to missing codecs.

These files are not actual media files, but rather corrupted fake files, often disguised as video, audio, or game files.

These files remain undetected until you attempt to run them, at which point they prompt you to download specific software to access them. However, this software may be infected.

You can try playing any audio or video file on VLC; it supports all current codecs. If the file doesn’t play, it’s likely fake and better not to have it on your PC.

Keeping your PC secure doesn’t just involve downloading an anti-virus suite. It also depends on your usage. To prevent a security risk, consider following the tips mentioned above.

If there are any other useful tips that we missed, please share them in the comments below.