Tips for being a victim of computer viruses
The internet is a great place with endless banking entertaining and informative websites. However, falling victim to so-called “computer viruses” – malware, ransomware, and cryoviruses – can be surprisingly easy.
Viruses and hackers are constantly evolving their methods to get your data, but the good news is that there is much you can do to keep your system safe. Here are the 5 top tips to prevent you from falling victim to computer viruses.
Install antivirus/malware.
It speaks for itself. The use of antivirus software is an obstacle to the system. There are many antivirus options that are very cheap, if not free; However, it may be a good idea to invest in something a little heavier if you receive a lot of email or spend most of your time on the Internet. Keep in mind that the cost of installing antivirus software is less than the cost of removing the virus and the working hours needed to recover lost data.
Make sure the connection is secure.
Use a browser with the latest security protocols, such as <a0>Windows</a0> Or <a1>Windows</a1> Or <a2>Windows</a2> Chrome or Safari, to browse the web and make sure that all the websites you visit are safe. Most browsers warn you if you go to a website that is not secure and allows you to continue. If you are suspicious at all, the best option is to press the back button.
Another good way to check for a secure connection is to find the lock-shaped icon just before the BROWSER WINDOW URL. Secure websites also always start with “https://.” S is critical. Sites that start only with “http://” are not protected.
Think before clicking
We have all been exposed to phishing emails. Thank God when that happens, we have antivirus software that grabs something harmful. If you receive an email that seems suspicious, the safest option is simply to delete it without opening it. However, if you notice that something isn’t turned off until you open the email, don’t click any of the links included in the message. Hopefully, spam filters intercept all phishing emails before you see them, but always be sure to check the sender’s address, especially in emails asking for personal information or passwords. These messages are almost always phishing emails.
Keep the system up to date
When your operating system or computer programs tell you it’s time to perform an update, do so. Systems in the latest software are less susceptible to malware, ransomware and cryptoviruses.
Often backups. If all else fails, you can save data by backing up your system regularly (at least once a week) if you happen to fall victim to a computer virus. Be sure to save the backups to an external hard drive or cloud service. If you’re using an external hard drive or flash drive, keep multiple copies of your backups in different locations (such as in the office, one at home, and one in the lock box) so they don’t affect them and are easily accessible if you ever need them. If you want to use the cloud service, you can use one that allows version data (you can use multiple versions of your data from specific dates and times) instead of replacing existing backups with the latest version.