Most of us, including you, have probably come into contact with a computer virus or something kind of malware. It's anything but fun; it's annoying, takes time and can be quite frustrating.
When your computer slows down or behaves strangely, you probably think of a virus. It doesn't necessarily have to be a virus, but there is a good chance that there is some form of malware on your computer. Some strains are downright evil, while others are just plain annoying. The biggest pests? These are the browser hijackers that take over your browser or, even worse, your entire computer.
Like I have done in the past, you have probably had to uninstall such an annoying program from your PC or work computer. That's why I'd like to give you some tips to prevent malware from entering your computer so that you can continue to surf safely.
Do you have antivirus software?
This tip might sound obvious to many, and indeed I have touched on it a few times in previous conversations and texts. What strikes me, however, is that I have come across quite a few computers, especially in private homes, that completely lack proper anti-virus or malware protection. While, in this digital age, having reliable anti-virus/malware protection is not just an option. It is a crucial first line of defense if you really intend to keep your computer free of malicious software and viruses. You'd be surprised how many problems you can avoid in advance by taking this simple step.
Keep your antivirus software up to date
To have antivirus software is absolutely an essential first step in digitally protecting your computer. But it doesn't stop there; regularly updating and maintaining that software is just as crucial. While free antivirus solutions certainly provide basic protection and are better than no protection at all, keep in mind that they may not always provide the most comprehensive protection against the latest threats.
You may not be aware of it, but Microsoft actually offers a built-in security suite: “Windows Defender“. While you may think of it as a "free" addition because you have Windows installed on your computer, in reality you already paid for this service when you purchased your Windows license.
What's surprising is that many users don't even know they have this built-in protection. However, an important detail to keep in mind is that Windows Defender on its own, while useful, may not be enough to protect your system against all the advanced cyber threats out there today. It may therefore be wise to combine it with other security measures or programs.
Run regularly scheduled scans with your antivirus software
It may seem obvious, but many people regularly forget to have their antivirus software scanned. It's a good idea to set your chosen software to perform regular scans. Ideally you should do this once a week, but in any case try not to wait much longer than that between scans. I understand that it can be difficult to work on your computer while the antivirus software is running.
A useful tip is to have the scan performed at night, at a time when you are not using the computer. But I also know that many of you have the habit of turning off your computer at night, so such a nightly scan never takes place.
What you can do then is choose a fixed night when you leave the computer on for the antivirus scan. Make sure that the computer does not automatically switch off or go into sleep mode that night. This way, your computer remains protected without inconveniencing you during the day.
Keep your operating system up to date
Regardless of whether you have Windows, Mac OS The teams behind these operating systems regularly release security patches, specifically designed to address any security issues.
Installing these patches is a crucial step in keeping your computer safe. And that also applies to your antivirus software. The world of viruses and malware is constantly evolving and new threats are constantly being created.
Therefore, your antivirus software is only truly effective if its database is up to date. It is therefore very important to ensure that this software receives regular updates and remains as up to date as possible.
Secure your computer network
When you use a Wi-Fi connection to access files, printers or the Internet, it is crucial to take security measures. Make sure a password is required to connect, and make sure this password is complex and difficult to guess.
It is really not wise to have an open Wi-Fi connection. For the best security, choose WPA or WPA2 encryption. Relying on the older WEP encryption is no longer a good option; This system can be cracked quite quickly by experts.
As for the name of your Wi-Fi network, the SSID, it might be a smart idea not to make it visible to others. You can still connect without any problems, but you will have to enter the SSID and password yourself.
And if you often have friends or family over who want to use your internet, consider setting up a separate guest SSID with a different password. You never know, you might have hacker friends in your circle!
Think before you click
Be careful on the web and follow some basic principles for your safety. Do not visit websites that offer dubious material. When you receive an unknown email attachment, do not open it, especially if you are not familiar with the sender. The same goes for links in emails you receive unexpectedly; don't just click on it. A useful tip: first move your mouse over a link, so you can often see which website the link actually leads to. This is especially useful when dealing with shortened URLs. If you still want to download a file, for example via the internet, e-mail or a sharing platform, always scan it first before opening it. Many good antivirus programs do this for you automatically, but it's always good to stay extra alert.
Keep your personal information safe
It's really a challenge to complete to be safe on the internet. Many cyber criminals do not directly try to crack your security, but rather use 'social engineering' techniques. They collect information about you little by little, with which they gradually gain access to various online accounts of yours. They continue to collect this information until they have enough to, for example, access your banking information or even steal your entire identity. Therefore, be extra careful on forums and social media platforms. Make sure you have your privacy settings set correctly and try not to use your real name or other personal information in public forums.
Limit the use of free WiFi networks
If you are at the coffee shop around the corner, the library or even at the airport, be careful about using those 'free' open Wi-Fi networks that do not require a password and are not encrypted.
Imagine, if you can do it that easily, what could someone with bad intentions and the right skills do? If you do feel the need to connect to such an open network, definitely consider using a VPN. This provides an extra layer of security and keeps your data more secure.
Not sure if your computer is infected? Then check your computer for malware for free with Malwarebytes. I hope to have informed you with this. Thank you for reading!