We all want to operate our PC or Mac without any hassle, so be it a worm, virus, malware, Trojan, etc., we don’t want any of it on our devices. If we surf the internet, it is wise to consider antivirus protection.
These viruses can harm your devices with malware issues which causes your files to get deleted, your personal information been stolen, slows down the speed of your computer and causes your PC to stop working.
However, to save you from such chaos, we’ve listed down a few tips that will give you a better idea of how to avoid a virus on the internet;
Install the antivirus software
To avoid getting viruses on your devices, install and run antivirus software. This is important because cyber threats have become increasingly popular today and things like online shopping, browsing and banking can make you prone to these cyber threats.
Internet viruses are the leading cause of cyber threats; therefore, it’s better to protect your devices against them. It is better to use any reputable security software to help you against these online threats while you shop, browse, and carry out banking activities online.
Update your operating system and applications
Tech companies regularly develop software updates which can make software and devices easy and safe to use. Without having these updates, cyber criminals easily exploit security flaws and result in a device downloading a virus. However Reviewsed.com coved a detailed guide to remove virus and malwares.
This type of cyber threat is known as software vulnerability. You are extra careful in avoiding viruses on the internet, but any software vulnerability in the background can harm your PC. The only way to safe your device from such risk is to regularly update the software as soon as the new update is available. Moreover, you can enable automatic update settings on your device.
Be vigilant with email attachments.
Email platforms like Outlook and Gmail require your permission when downloading any attachment. This is because downloading an attachment can be risky. Email services currently have virus protection built-in, but emails with any viruses can reach your mailbox.
Cybercriminals attack your devices through spamming emails. Emails with malicious attachments are sent to an extensive network. Once you open it, the virus is installed automatically and starts causing issues in your PC.
It is better to ignore emails sent by unknown sources. Don’t open emails sent by anyone who you don’t know. Only open attachments and files if you trust the sender and origin. With that it is advisable to disable image previews in your email software.
There are some viruses attached to images and can install themselves immediately after the email is opened. Configure your settings so that images from the trusted sources are shown only. This protects your computer from becoming vulnerable to any infected image.
Avoid doubtful websites
There are around 2 million websites globally, but you cannot expect all of them to have good intentions. The questionable ones that may pose a cyber threat will utilize several tools to download a virus like IDP.Generic in your devices. This can be done through malicious advertisements, misleading links, etc.
It is better to avoid clicking on such links with suspicious names. Avoid websites with numbers and a mixture of letters that you cannot relate to any work. Moreover, if there are additional symbols in the URL of a website, then it’s a fake one.
Backup your computer
This tip might not save your device entirely from getting a virus, but it can surely help you avoid some stress and damage you can encounter in case of a virus.
Use cloud backup regularly and save copies and records of all essential data in a location that would not be harmed by any virus. Hence if your computer becomes infected by a virus you can restore it to the point before it became infected.
Avoid using pirated software.
A free copy of a movie or game or any application is always tempting. But downloading these through a pirated software means putting your computer or mobile at risk.
Pirated software usually has hard-to-find websites or peer to peer sharing. Both these options have users looking for their favorite content or looking and trying to spread a virus.
It is effortless for a cybercriminal to infect a device that has no virus protection built in. Therefore be careful when downloading any game, movie, etc., for free. If you are downloading pirated files ensure you have antivirus software working in the background.
These are some of the tips you can use to avoid getting a virus on your devices from the internet. These tips will help you protect your devices from extreme chaos, data loss, or any other form of damage.