How To Defend Against Malware

Has your computer been moving slower than normal? Has it been crashing or freezing repeatedly? There may be a reason – malware. When the performance of our computer begins to behave unusually, our default reaction is to think it’s a virus. Though this is always a possibility, there are other types of malware that may be causing this. Malware is short for “malicious malware”. It is any piece of software that has been written with the intent of doing harm to data, devices, or people. Malware is typically installed on a computer when a user clicks on a link, downloads a malicious attachment, or opens a rogue software program.  The main intention of malware is to cause as much damage as possible. So, how can I defend against malware?

How To Prevent Your Device From Becoming Infected With Malware

The best way to deal with a malware attack is to avoid getting infected in the first place. This is a difficult task since more than two million different malware threats are created every day. This is a difficult number to wrap your head around. Here are 6 ways you can avoid malware and the troubles that go with it.

Use Trusted Malware Software

The majority of people who use a computer, smartphone, or tablet have some type of antivirus and malware detection software installed. However, most of them download free antivirus software from the web. Some of these free antivirus programs are themselves Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP) and come installed with some kind of spyware. Antivirus software like Norton, Kaspersky, Comodo, and more, may cost you more money, yet are effective at recognizing security threats. Investing in this antivirus software is a small price to pay compared to the harm malware can do to your personal devices.

Regular Scans and Monitor Settings

While having some kind of antivirus or malware detection software installed in your personal devices, it is a good practice to set up automatic scans to run every few days or weeks to make sure the software is doing its job. You can do this late at night when you’re not using it, making sure that the system doesn’t turn off or go to hibernation mode.

Keep Your Operating System Updated

Major software providers have their own operating systems, each with their own antivirus defenses. While you may feel that restarting your system and upgrading to a newer version isn’t necessary, these updates are designed to decrease your exposure to possible exploits. If you put them off, you may face consequences in the future.

Rely Only On Encrypted Networks

With all the wireless technologies that have been adopted in the last few years, our personal information is constantly being sent over public networks.  Our computers connect to printers, files, and Wi-Fi constantly, and this can give easy access to hackers. Whenever you’re using a Wi-Fi network, consider using a VPN with strong encryption.

Manage Your Personal Information

All companies today keep your data in digital form: your usernames, passwords, social security numbers, home address, etc. This keeps them just a few hacks away from getting exposed.  Make sure you’re giving personal information to reliable companies only and that your privacy settings on social media profiles are as strict as possible.

Browse the Internet Carefully

When browsing the internet, avoid websites that feature pirated material. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t recognize. Also, make sure that you visit a website with an SSL certificate. 

Keep Your Devices and Information Safe

Malware is a threat humans have faced ever since the birth of computers. Over the years, this threat has become greater than ever. However, by taking the basic precautions, you can vastly improve your security and keep your devices and your personal information safe. At S-FX Small Business Solutions, along with our website design and digital advertising services, we also offer website security. Our team of cybersecurity experts can help you harden your website and mitigate any attacks from hackers. CONTACT US