How to keep your computer/laptop safe from viruses – Windows PC’s always been a target for viruses and trojans. Many windows users are puzzled on what should they do to protect their PC’s. They need to know that how to Keep windows safe from virus, malware, trojan and other malicious software & scripts which are harmful. how to keep your computer safe from malware
These type of problems causes personal data loss which can be quite severe depending on the user. So due to these factors, protecting your device from such viruses and malware is quite essential but very difficult task at the same time. Therefore, you have to take actions to keep windows safe from virus. Holding that in mind, we have created a list of some working methods by which you can safe your windows from the virus. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How to Keep Windows computer Safe from Virus
1. Install Microsoft Security Essentials
You might not know this, but Microsoft has its own antivirus solution. They call it Microsoft Security Essentials, and it’s completely free of charge to use. MSE will scan your windows for any malicious software, trojan, virus and other files which can harm the system. This is an excellent alternative to those premium antiviruses if you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket. MSE always get latest security updates, if you have enabled windows update.
2. Keep Your Window Up To Date
If you use windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10- You shul always keep installing all the windows update as they contain security patches which will keep windows safe from virus and other threats. Microsoft always releases free security updates and necessary patches for all major windows platform. So always keep your windows up to date.
3. Run New Programs on Virtual Machine
This is a very useful method to keep windows safe from virus and malware attacks. Many programs which you download from unofficial sources, contains several malicious codes embedded into it. These malicious programs can harm your pc, steal your data and much more.
4. Firewall
You should always keep the firewall protection on when you’re connected to any kind of network connection. A firewall will protect your windows from virus, trojan, malware, malicious access attempts, etc.If you don’t have any dedicated premium firewall, then you have the option to enable the default windows firewall system. Also if you’re installing a third-party firewall software, always check for their firewall rules.
5. Browser
As we all use internet browsers for almost every web activity that they have become the man target for hackers. These hackers try to inject their malicious codes and viruses in terms of advertisement, add-ons, downloads, etc. So keep your windows safe from virus and other malicious code from entering your device, you must not download or use any unauthorized sites.
You will receive plenty of spam emails saying that you have won a lottery or you won a new iPhone. But most of us know that these emails are used to trick you to get your private and sensitive information. However, Google Chrome will warn you if you somehow land on these pages or redirecting from spammy emails. Furthermore, don’t open any kind of spammy links which you don’t recognize.
7. Keep Distance From Infected Websites
There are certain websites which are flagged as malicious. Such websites show popups and fake offers to make you lure to enter your sensitive information such as entering your credit card number. Tese types of sites are designed to spoof your data, so you should always check the https:// sign while accessing a site. Look for the green lock in the address bar while looking for
8. Good And Trusted Web Browsers
Using a good internet browser is always a good option. It’s not a good idea to use an outdated browser like internet explorer because it is highly targeted by hackers to steal your information. We recommend you to use highly secured browsers such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
9. Update Your Anti-Virus Software
If you already have installed a good antivirus that doesn’t mean that you’re fully secured by viruses. To keep your windows safe from virus and other possible threats you should always keep the latest virus definitions. And how to do that? – By updating your antivirus regularly. Keeping your antivirus updated with most recent updates will make sure that you’re risk-free.
10. setting up scheduled scans
Installing a good antivirus is a prominent method to keep windows safe from virus but its also essential to run scans planned from time to time. You will never know what kind of virus and other malicious code is running on your pc if you don’t run a periodical scan on your PC. We recommend you to deep scan your system with a good antivirus and leave if for a night so it can scan the hard drive thoroughly.
11. Scan For Malware
Antivirus will definitely deal with the virus problem, but when it comes to malware, it will certainly fail. New and powerful malware are created every day for the sole purpose of destroying your pc and the data inside it. Some malware even try to show you ads and even lure you into their dirty tricks to make money out of your information. This kind of malware can be removed with the help of anti-malware solutions like Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is a freemium software which removes suspicious malware out of your system.
12. Always Scan Pendrive for Virus and Trojans
Most of the time, harmful virus and malware files come along when you copy a game, music file, books and any kind of digital media from a pen drive or a memory card. These memory devices are super vulnerable to such viruses and can harm your pc too. So to keep windows safe from virus and such other harmful programs, you should scan such memory devices before copying or transferring data into them.
13. Have Two Accounts
As we discussed earlier that malware and virus try to mess with system files and tries to perform actions which can only be executed with administrator permission. Such malware scripts won’t affect your computer if you use a separate account which has no administrator rights over the hardware.
14. Password Management
Keeping your windows installation is not the only side of the security coin. You also have to secure your accounts online also. To secure online accounts, you have to keep strong passwords for each account that you sign up for.
15. System Backup
Imagine the situation where in spite of all the measures you took to keep windows safe from virus, a deadly virus entered into your system and deleted or encrypted all your important files. Then the only way is to use a system backup. We recommend you to take a backup of your data every once in a while.