We have come a long way compared to the earlier days of personal computing. For instance, you can access decent computing infrastructure without spending a lot of money or effort. In addition, Operating Systems like Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS try to make things more intuitive. However, at the other end of the spectrum, the number of potential risks has also increased. Nowadays, you are exposed to more threats than ever, primarily when connected to the internet.
Fortunately, there are ways to stay away from threats to a great extent. In terms of personal computing, you have to stay away from viruses and other types of malware. Unlike what some people may think, protecting your computer from viruses is not a one-click-and-forget thing. Instead, you have to be in control of the stuff you do when connected to the internet. Only then can you prevent potential viruses from affecting your PC and damaging essential data. Even if you have a backup, losing data can be significantly inconvenient.
In this article, we have talked about five definitive ways to protect your computer from viruses. It does not matter which computer you use or which OS you prefer; these universal security tips will give you the edge when it comes to staying safe online and offline.
#1 Educate Yourself
Educating yourself about the dangers of the internet is the first step of staying away from viruses in the first place.
Next, you must detect potential traps on the internet and stay away. For instance, you should not install .exe or .dmg files from untrusted sources. These executable files can harm your computer when provided with the proper permissions. Therefore, you should restrict app downloads to the App Store or Windows Store whenever you can.
Similarly, you have to develop the sense to tell legitimate websites apart from bogus ones. It is the only way to avoid issues like phishing and social engineering. But, here is the more important part: all these dangers need a backdoor on your computer in the first place. So, you have to make sure that viruses cannot enter your computer whatsoever the situation is.
#2 Choose the Right Antivirus
If you think your PC can survive without an active antivirus program, you are wrong! Sure, both Windows and macOS come with built-in protection options. However, they are not enough when you spend a lot of time on the internet. For instance, the built-in protection suites will not be enough to download and use multiple programs from different places.
It is why you have to choose the best antivirus program for your needs. You can go about this process in two ways. You can select one of the general best antimalware suites in the market. Alternatively, you can check out websites like bestantivirus.com and explore in-detail reviews of all the potential options. We recommend the second option because you can get comprehensive protection over time.
Trust us; an antivirus program is worth every penny you spend on it.
#3 Use Security Settings
We recommend that you enable security options on your computer whenever you can. First, you have to make sure that you have enabled the firewall. It will protect your computer from unauthorized access, which may be used to plant viruses and other malware when connected to a public network. In the same way, you have to enable file encryption.
The good thing about encryption is that viruses cannot access what you have stored on the system. So, even in the worst case, you do not have to worry about data security. But, of course, it makes more sense to stay far away from threats like ransomware. Nevertheless, if your computer contains sensitive data, it is good to take an extra step of precaution.
#4 Be Careful with Public Networks
As we said, public networks are the hotspot for viruses and other types of malware. Therefore, you must be ready to brace for impact whenever you connect to such networks. However, there are a few solutions that you can follow. The first is to restrict your usage to general needs when using a public WiFi connection. The next option is to get a VPN subscription.
Through VPN tunneling, you can reduce the chances of threats and viruses. In addition, the chances of your data being leaked or stolen are very low, reducing the overall risk. Using a VPN can also protect you from various risks such as identity theft and other digital threats. There are additional benefits, such as getting rid of geo-blocked restrictions.
#5 Clean Your System
You do not want to make your system a messed place if you want to stay away from viruses. By creating more space and cleaning the system regularly, you can reduce the chances of infection. In some cases, viruses can make their way into your computer with the help of seemingly helpful software. By cleaning regularly, you can stay away from these tools.
Once again, you have the option to choose between manual and automatic ways to clean your computer. In the case of Windows, you can use programs like CCleaner, which will thoroughly remove the temporary and unwanted stuff. Otherwise, you can manually remove unwanted files from the system and clear the cache.
Regardless of how you do it, a clean system can better ward off viruses.
The Bottom Line
These seemingly simple tips can protect your computer from viruses and give you an edge when it comes to internet security. Of course, having the proper antivirus and internet security can help you lift the tension off your mind. It also means you can have a more relaxed internet experience.
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