Malware is constantly infiltrating users' computers. Modern viruses are meant to be difficult to detect and remove, with the primary goal of stealing users' personal information secretly and permanently. Passwords, documents, photographs, and personal discussions in various communication channels, social networks, and other sources are among the collected information. This makes personal information easily accessible to thieves, who can subsequently sell it on the "Black market" at incredibly low prices to anyone who can use it to harm others in the future.
Start by choosing a good email
Spam is one of the most significant problems in the digital world, which is why choosing the appropriate email is so important for minimizing the problems it causes and avoiding the risk of being scammed or infecting your operating system. Gmail (Google Inc.), Yahoo! Mail (Yahoo! Inc.), and Windows Live Hotmail (Developer: Microsoft Corp.) are some of the most popular options in this market.
Be wary of emails from unknown senders
Emails from unknown senders should be treated with caution. Users often receive them in their email, and frequently, they include an attachment that, if downloaded and run, can infect the entire system. Never open a mail from an unknown sender. When working with e-mail attachments, proceed with caution and pay special attention to files ending in .exe, .com, .bat, or .pif.
VirusTotal can prove useful when checking for suspicious files and links. This is a web-based system that sends a file or link to over 40 antivirus companies, which scan it for harmful code and return the results in a convenient format within minutes.
Be careful while surfing the web
Malware can traditionally be found on websites that provide unlicensed software and those that extract pornographic material. However, this does not imply that they are the only such sources, or that a formerly clean website has not since become "black". While searching for information on Google, you are extremely likely to stumble across similar pages.
Some of the most popular site inspection programs are Web of Trust (WOT), SiteAdvisor Software (Developer: McAfee Inc.), and Norton Safe Web (Developer: Symantec Corp.). You can use them to personally inspect any selected website and obtain reliable information about it in seconds, which will help you determine whether or not to trust it. WOT and SiteAdvisor both feature browser-specific solutions, which is a benefit. For example, there is a Firefox add-on which indicates whether a site is secure or not while browsing on Google.
Don't neglect Windows updates
Many users make this mistake which often leads to problems at some point. Microsoft generates and delivers monthly updates that are available to users, but they frequently ignore them. Fixes for the operating system's vulnerability, as well as improvements to Windows and program performance, are included in the upgrades. The user can pick which updates to install and which not to, but the operating system's security must be downloaded and installed at any cost. It is critical to have the most recent service pack and updates in order to be as secure as possible.
Regularly update the software you use.
Few people are aware that the software they use, particularly Adobe Reader and the Java Runtime Environment, also have their weaknesses. Because they are so frequently utilized, they become a natural target for hackers. Other programs are also targeted, including web browsers (such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox), instant messaging software (such as Skype), and other apps. You can never be too careful, so make sure to check for and update any programs you use on a regular basis. This is just as vital as keeping your operating system up to date.