With the continuous spread of viruses and Malware on the internet, our PC’s are at risk of being attack and could lead to data, file loss and theft. This is why it is very important to keep our PC’s secured and prevent such attacks.
There are several ways you can keep your PC secure. Recently, I got to discover a lot of PC users rely solely on antivirus software to keep their PCs safe, however, keeping your PC safe goes beyond anti-virus software alone.
In this article, we’ll be sharing the top 8 ways you can protect your PC from viruses and malware.
How To Protect Your PC From Virus And Malware
1. Use A Good Antivirus
Having good antivirus software is the first step in protecting your PC from viruses and malware. Without a good antivirus, your PC can get infected and you lose important files and data.
The are several free antivirus software on the internet that you can download, however, if you’re a Windows 10 user, you can just stick with the built-in Windows security and make sure you update it from time to time.
People usually get the wrong idea that having multiple antiviruses on your PC makes it more secure, while it may sound good, it is not advisable to have more than one antivirus program installed. Read the reasons why multiple anti-virus engines are not good for PC.
2. Keep Your PC Up-To-Date
Updating your PC from time to time is one of the best ways to protect your PC from viruses and malware. Microsoft releases security updates for PC’s regularly to protect them from viruses, malware, fix loopholes and other exploits. An outdated system is more prone to an attack and even though Windows updates can be a bit of a disaster itself “sometimes”, updating your OS will keep you safer. But, before you update your Windows PC, I recommend you take a backup of all your important files and data so that you don’t lose them even if the update crashes your PC. You should also disable Windows auto-update.
If you’re still not confident with Windows updates, try using the method I have been using for a long time now and haven’t experienced any crashes. Instead of downloading the Windows update via system update, head over to Microsoft official site and download the most recent Windows iso file which would already have been updated, then run the setup like normal software. So far, this method has worked for me and I haven’t encountered any issues updating my PC.
3. Disable Autoplay For Removable Drives (USB)
One of the easiest ways viruses and malware can get into your computer is through removable drives (mostly USB storage devices). If you have auto-play turned on for removable devices, an infected USB drive can easily infect your PC. You can easily disabled this option in the Windows settings option in Windows 10. For Windows 8 and 7, you can find the option by searching for it in the start menu.
Also, make sure you scan every removable drive connected to your PC before opening them.
4. Run New Software On Windows Sandbox or VM (Virtual Machine)
When you download new software and applications from an unofficial website on the internet, it is advisable to run it in Windows Sandbox or a virtual machine first before installing it on your PC.
Oftentimes third-party software or applications can contain viruses that can cause damage to your PC and even crash your OS. You should try to run unlicensed or any strange software in the virtual machine (Virtual Box) first, this way even if it contains malicious codes, it will never affect your computer directly.
5. Enable Firewall
Windows firewall adds an extra layer of security to your computer, especially when you’re connected to a network or the internet directly. Windows firewall protects your PC by filtering information coming to your PC from the internet and also blocks potentially harmful programs.
Some Antivirus software comes with an inbuilt firewall program to protect you against attacks but still, it is a good practice to always check the firewall rule of that any software you install.
6. Disable Pop-ups In Your Browser
Nowadays when you’re visiting a download site, it’s common to find pop-ups everywhere which not only bring a terrible browsing experience but can be used to spread viruses over the internet. You can disable pop-ups in your browser setting or using a pop-up blocker browser extension. This will help you minimize unnecessary pop-ups and reduce the risk of getting infected.
7. Download From Trusted Websited
The internet is indeed a great place to find useful materials to develop skills and tools to help you get work done faster. But where you download these files is also very important if you don’t want viruses and malware to find their way into your PC. Make sure you always visit a trusted and secured website to download the files you need.
8. Have Two Accounts
Mostly, viruses and Malware requires administrator privilege to harm your PC. So, you need to have an administrator-type account for managing Windows, and also a local user accounts for work and play. So, make sure to create a new administrator account, then change your existing account’s type to Local.
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These are the best ways to protect your PC from viruses and malware in 2021. Don’t forget to set a password for your account and be mindful of the types of links you click or attachments. Viruses can be spread by any means, so, try and employ the tips we’ve discussed to keep your PC safe.
