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Nowadays, we depend on computers for basic tasks, such as working and studying. Therefore, keeping your Windows operating system virus-free is essential. After all, how can we carry out our online activities if the PC is infected and has malfunctions?
There are many types of digital threats, and protecting yourself from them all can seem complicated. The best known are Trojan horses, which allow attackers to take control of your device, and spyware, which collect information from your machine. In this article, you will learn what you need to do to reduce the chance of infection!
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How to keep your Windows machine virus-free?
There are two main things that need to be done to protect your device. The first is to install an antivirus and antimalware, which will prevent infections and deal with viruses that have not been stopped. The second is to learn new security habits, avoiding visiting strange websites and not clicking on unknown attachments, for example.
1. Use an antivirus
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The first thing you should do is download an antivirus. Everyone should use one on their computer, as this type of program can detect most virtual threats and prevent you from being affected. It's not enough to just install the antivirus. It is necessary to activate protection settings and perform frequent scans.
Remember: not all antiviruses are created equal. In other words, look for good options to have on your device. In fact, using a bad program can even make your computer more vulnerable. A good recommendation is to use the Bitdefender, an antivirus that has already received several awards. It offers an easy interface where you can check your security level and make adjustments as needed.
Read too: Tips for choosing the best antivirus for your online security
2. Avoid websites that seem strange
Very important to keep your Windows (or any other device) virus-free is to think carefully before visiting any website. After all, there are more than 1 billion websites out there, and many of them are malicious. When you visit a harmful website, you expose yourself to viruses, as they can be downloaded to your PC as soon as the page loads, as well as other types of attacks.
An important tip is to avoid clicking on links to sites with names that seem suspicious, that is, mixtures of letters and numbers that do not look like words. It is also recommended to place the mouse pointer over the link to check where it will take you. Additionally, you can look at the website's URL and see if it looks like a well-known brand, but has variations. If this is the case, it is probably a fake website.
3. Be careful with attachments
Another common way for cyber attacks to happen is through emails. In them, attackers send an attachment and ask the reader to download it and, when the person clicks, the computer is invaded by some type of virus. The biggest email services protect against this by asking for permission before downloading any attachments. However, it is very common to simply ignore this warning and proceed without thinking twice.
Often, malicious emails are automatically placed in the spam folder, but this does not always happen. In general, don't click on links or download attachments if you don't recognize the sender. Furthermore, even if the email comes from a friend, he may have been the victim of a virus that passed the content to all of his contacts. Stay alert!
4. Always keep your computer updated
Nobody likes the famous Windows updates, as they take time and happen at random times. However, they help keep your computer free from viruses of all types. This is because they not only add new features, but also fix security errors that the previous version had. Thus, they make certain viruses that focused on a vulnerability no longer work.
In addition to the system, it is also important to maintain programs like Java, as outdated versions present vulnerabilities. As obvious as this may seem, you should always keep your antivirus updated. Without these updates, the program will have old threat information and will not be able to protect your device from new viruses.
5. Use a good browser
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One of the best-known browsers is Internet Explorer, which is no longer officially offered. But, if you have the old version of Windows, you might still use it. This browser is quite outdated, which puts it at risk of many attacks. Along with that, it has never been such a safe option to use.
Browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox bring more security. Additionally, it is recommended to use an ad blocker, such as uBlock Origin. A large part of cyber attacks can be avoided simply by using an extension of this type, which will prevent malicious advertisements from opening on your device.
6. Use an anti-malware program
Did you know that antivirus is not the same thing as antimalware? Antiviruses serve to prevent possible infection on your computer and keep Windows free from larger and more well-known viruses. Antimalware are programs that specialize in removing new threats that are not stopped by antiviruses and are already on the system.
Therefore, to maximize your security, it is important to use both types of programs. It is recommended that you perform a weekly antimalware scan to prevent any threats from spreading to other devices.
Never have your computer infected again
By following our tips, you should be successful in keeping your Windows free from any viruses. However, it is always possible that something goes unnoticed and you are attacked. In these cases, the most recommended option is to have backups of all your data in cloud services or external hard drives. So, even if a virus deletes your files, you can recover everything important!
