Tips to Prevent Your PC from Malware Infection

Tips to Prevent Your PC from Malware Infection

A virus or malware infecting your PC? It is a very time-consuming, annoying, and expensive experience to get rid of this malware from your computer system. The hijackers tend to take over your browser or even your computer. It can lead to loss of data, or worse, identity theft leading to a financial scam. Malware is always looking for ways to take over your PC and lead to havoc in your life. If you follow some simple tips on preventing malware, you can stay protected and away from the eyes of a potential hijacker.

Help Prevent Your PC from Malware Infection

The online world today is hazardous. Threats are lurking at every click, and you must keep your PC safe from malware. The following tips on preventing malware will prevent you from visiting the hacker’s hell.

• Never download messages from any unknown sources. Please do not click on links that say they can protect your PC from threats. It would help if you had antivirus software from a legitimate website. Not a banner ad that claims to protect your PC.
  

• Do not fall for banner ads or pop-up ads that claim to win you a lottery or a price. They are scam sites that trick you into downloading malware onto your browser or PC.
  

• Use a strong antivirus that helps you identify dangerous sites or links that can lead to malware. You can download a browser plugin called Web of Trust (WOT) to help recognize areas with a poor or questionable reputation.
  

• Keep the HTML turned off in an email. Many times, malware is downloaded when you open a malicious email in HTML format. Thus, you will find many email clients and webmail clients ask you before displaying HTML content, such as images. Open only those emails to open in HTML that are from your trusted source.
  

• Never download any attachments or documents that come to you in email. Scan them with the help of your antivirus installed. Many webmail clients scan the extension for you before allowing you to open them. Complete the scanning step before you hit the download button for your attachment.
  

• Many times scammers send you notifications from your bank, Facebook or Twitter. These emails are never from your bank, Facebook, or Twitter account. Before you click on any link or fill in any account details in such emails, make sure they are from a legitimate source. Scammers trick you into clicking on the link and entering your details. Thus, ‘phishing’ your account password and other personal information. Suppose you are in doubt; double-check before you click any link.
  

• Never attach any USB stick from an unknown source to your PC. If you have to, scan it with an antivirus before you access its content. The person who offers you the USB may not even know malware has entered their USB. Many antivirus software scans automatically any USB stick attached to the computer. If not, you can right-click on the external drive and select Scan selected files with AntiVir.Be alert when you download any software. When you download a particular software, it often comes with freebies such as a toolbar or additional programs. Make sure you know what you are downloading and the software you need. Opt for custom installation and unclick any other software suggested by the program. Never install any software you do not trust or doubt its legitimacy.
  

• Install good antivirus software along with strong anti-malware or antispyware software. This will make sure your computer not stays safe from the attack of viruses but also stays safe with real-time protection against Trojans, malware, spyware, adware, etc.
  

• Keep your software, system, and applications updated at all times. 

These are a few tips on preventing malware. Stay alert; stay safe when online. Make sure to leave your computer idle for long periods. You never know when spyware or malware will download and sit quietly hidden within your PC. They may be activated at a particular time and ruin your online experience.