How to Protect your Computer From viruses

1. Use antivirus software

Make sure you have some kind of security program installed on your computer. Whether it's a free suite from the likes of Microsoft, AVG or Avast, or a paid-for offering from Norton, Sophos or BitDefender. This will ensure that most threats are blocked before they can install themselves on your machine. Make sure you keep the software up to date as well. Apply any patches or updates as soon as they’re released. If the software has automatic updating, then switch it on and update it.

2. Keep your Operating System updated

Make sure you keep Windows up to date. Microsoft regularly releases security updates to patch any security flaws in your PC's os, so make sure you install them as soon as they’re released. To make your life easier, you can opt to have them automatically installed. To switch this on, on a Windows 7 PC, press the Start button and in the search box type update. From the results, select Windows Update. You can also access this by opening the Control Panel and, under the System and Security heading, select Windows Update. From the left-hand side, select Change Settings and then under the section marked Important Update select the automatic updating option this will on your widow's auto-update option.

3. Turn on User Account Control

User Account Control alerts you when software needs to make a change to your PC and you can accept whether the change can’t be made. To turn on user account control, on a Windows 7 or Windows 10 PC open the Control Panel and select the System and Security heading. Under the section marked Action Centre, select Change User Account Control. Move the slider to Always Notify to ensure user account control always warns you when a change is needed.

4. Back up your computer

Do you regularly back up the information on your computer? If you don’t – and 29 percent of computer users fall into that category – you have no protection from calamities ranging from hard drive failure to your house burning down. If you value your data, back it up.

You have three basic backup options: an external hard drive, online backup service, or cloud storage. Use a service like Google Drive, and your files will be continually backed up to the cloud. And the price is right: free for up to 5 GB of data. For more, see Online Storage Wars.

5. Use a strong password

A strong password is one that is complex, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. While some people use the same password for everything, try to avoid that practice.

Password security company SplashData.com says the three most common passwords are password, 12345, and 123456789. The company recommends avoiding using the same user name/password combination for multiple online site logins.

6. Use a firewall

Just because you have antivirus software running doesn’t mean you have a firewall. Both PCs and Macs come with built-in firewall software. Be sure to check that it’s enabled.

7. Minimize downloads

Make sure your Web browser’s security settings are high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. For Internet Explorer, the medium-security setting is the minimum level to use.

8. Use a pop-up blocker

Web browsers have the ability to stop pop-up windows and allow you to set the security for accepting pop-ups. The federal OnGuardOnline site recommends never clicking on links within pop-up screens.

9.AVOID SUSPICIOUS WEBSITES

A lot of times websites will notify you if you are about to enter a website that attempts to install or run a program on your computer but not always. Avoid websites such as those.

10.NEVER OPEN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS WITHOUT SCANNING THEM

The most common way viruses are spread remains to be through email. Make sure you use an email provider that requires all attachments to be scanned prior to opening, to ensure your computer doesn’t get a virus.

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