Thursday, September 15, 2022

Top 8 Tips to Protect Your Computer from Virus Attacks


Old habits die hard! That’s why
an old scam continues to make the rounds of online computer users.
 

The FBI repeatedly issues warnings about a computer scam that begins over the telephone. Someone calls you, claiming to work for a leading software major. They inform you that your PC is sending error messages to them over the Web, and they’ve detected a virus. They compel you to pay them a fee and they’ll remotely fix your device by installing anti-virus software on it. Do you still believe these scammers that they’ll do this computer repair in Lake Elsinore remotely? If yes, then you’re in knee-deep trouble. 


The caller obtains your credit card number and access to your device. Instead of removing viruses, they install them. 


Earlier, the Federal Trade Commission cracked down on multiple similar scams that charged computer users from $49 to $450 to “remove” malware from their computers. The only way to thwart the efforts of these scammers is never to share your credit card numbers with strangers and not allow them any access to your computer. In this article, we’ve identified eight amazing ways to protect your device from viruses and malware: 


  1. 1.Never Click on Links Within Emails 

During computer repair in Redlands, it has been found that many people click links within an email message from strangers. It’s an open invitation to the scammers. If you don’t recognize a sender of an email, don’t click on any links within it. According to Microsoft, 44.8% of Windows virus infections occur due to the unnecessary clicks of computer users on links. 

  1. 2. Upgrade Your Software 

Software giants such as Microsoft and Oracle regularly update their software to fix bugs that could potentially be manipulated by hackers. Once Oracle had updated its Java software to fix a security hole hackers could have exploited to infect computers with malware after the Department of Homeland Security sent out an advisory about the security flaw suggesting computer users disable the Java plug-in in their Web browsers 

  1. 3. Back up Your Computer 

If you don’t regularly back up the information on your computer, then you have zero protection from calamities ranging from hard drive failure to an external fire. It means that you don’t value your data. Back it up as this issue has also been identified during professional computer repair in North Riverside. 

There are three basic backup options- online backup service, an external hard drive, or cloud storage. If you use a service like Google Drive, then your files will be continually backed up to the cloud. 5 GB of data is free.  

  1. 4. Use Free Antivirus Software 

You need not pay for software to secure your computer or for an annual subscription to maintain the latest virus protection. Microsoft Security Essentials is free for Windows users. Avast is a free anti-virus program too. Experts say that antivirus software is a sheer waste of money. 

  1. 5. Use a Firewall 

Simply because you have antivirus software running doesn’t mean you have a firewall. It has been found that PCs as well as Macs are available with built-in firewall software. You only need to check that it’s enabled. 

  1. 6. Use a Strong Password 

A strong password is a complex one, with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Try to avoid the practice of using the same password for everything. 


According to the password security company Splash Data.com, the three most commonly used passwords are password, 123456, and 12345678. Avoid using the same user name/password combination for online logins of multiple sites. 


Create a strong password, using eight characters or more and, to make them easier to remember, try to use short phrases separated by numbers or underscore marks like morale_boost6. 


You may also use a free service such as LastPass to create and manage your passwords. You only need to remember a single password to open your LastPass vault. Once you open it, LastPass will automatically log you into all the sites you visit requiring a password.  

  1. 7. Use a Pop-up Blocker 

Web browsers can stop pop-up windows and let you set the security to accept pop-ups. Never click links within pop-up screens. 

It has been frequently observed during computer repair in South Riverside that even the most vigilant computer users also run the risk of picking up malware. Suspect a computer virus if your device slows down, crashes, or repeats error messages. 


Other clues are that the computer fails to restart or shut down promptly. There could be new toolbars that you never installed, a changing home page or the battery draining unprecedentedly faster. Ensure that your security software is updated. Scan the PC.  

  1. 8. Minimize Downloads 

Check that your Web browser’s security settings are substantial enough to trace unauthorized downloads.  


Inference 


Nowadays it has become much easier to protect your device from viruses and lost data. Take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to ensure that your computer is secure.  
 

 

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