Both criminal organizations and individuals sell their “skills” and tools to operate in the digital world, targeting websites, companies, individuals, etc. Infecting Avoid Malware is one of the most frequently used strategies to cause damages.
Although there are a lot of ways available to remove or delete malware from an infected device such as a laptop or mobile phone, it’s all the more important to avoid it from happening in the first place.
In this article, I’ll explain what malware is and how you can avoid malware from entering your device.
What Is Malware?
The term malware is a shorthand for a contraction of malicious software. Hence the term is a combination of the two words “malicious” “software.” It’s basically a term used for any type of software that was written with the intent to cause damage to data, computers, mobile devices, people and so on.
When you hear people talking about Trojans, spyware, ransomware, viruses, and terms as such, it’s basically a talk about different types of Avoid Malware.
How to Avoid Malware?
In order to avoid malware from entering your system, it’s important to set up proper prevention measures and extra layers of protection.
Let’s take a look at some key measures which have a high probability of shielding off Avoid Malware infections.
First, I’ll discuss a few important system improvements.
1. Update Update Update
One of the most important things you need to do to enhance the protection of your system is to constantly update your operating system, software, and other applications. As soon as an update is available, run it – don’t put it on hold.
Updates are not only to improve the user experience or to introduce new features, but it’s an important part of releasing security patches to fix security vulnerabilities and potential loopholes in the software.
If you don’t run updates, it’s a lot easier for cybercriminals to enter your system.
2. Delete Unnecessary Software & Applications
Do you feel like you have a lot of software tools and applications on your device and you rarely use them? It’s best to delete them.
It’s also easy to forget about updating these tools as you don’t really use them, which brings us back to my previous point.
Furthermore, a lot of developers stop updating old software files after they’ve introduced a completely new version. That means you won’t receive any security updates any longer, leaving your device open to attacks.
3. Security Software
In order to shield your device against malware, make sure to install the following 4 types of protection software.
- Antivirus Software
- Anti-malware Software
- Firewall
- Spam filter
Antivirus and anti-malware software tools such as Bitdefender and Malwarebytes contain a real-time security feature protecting your device 24/7, including a wide range of other strong security features. Firewalls and spam filters are designed to block malicious files or programs from entering your system in case the other software let something slip through the cracks.
In addition to the important system improvements listed above, you’ll have to be smart and careful while browsing in the digital world. Diligent online behavior is required in the following areas.
1. Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are a popular method for hackers to infect or infiltrate systems but it’s only successful if a target doesn’t pay attention when clicking links or opening files in an email.
That’s why you always need to check the sender’s’ address, check the URL before clicking it, read the language carefully (grammar should be correct) and other oddly-constructed sentences that should ring the alarm bells.
Important: Don’t ever click on a suspicious link or file in an email.
2. Download Requests & Dodgy Pop-up Windows
Upon visiting, some websites may send download requests. In general, it’s better not to install these tools at any time unless you’re sure or you actually need it. Chances are, it’s either contains malware or it’s simply annoying spam-like software.
These requests may also come via pop-up windows that will trick you into downloading “free Windows/Mac cleaner” or other dodgy software.
Simply immediately close the pop-up and leave the site. Hint: install an ad block extension for your browser.
3. Installation Process
Many software tools may try to install additional software during the installation process. It’s often hidden under “Manual Installation” or “Advanced” options. Simply because a lot of users don’t actually read these options, they unknowingly install malware or insecure software.
4. Torrenting
First, torrenting can be both legal and illegal – it depends whether you download copyrighted material. Second, downloading files via torrents is quite dangerous as there’s little to no quality of security control.
Hackers may simply pretend to be uploading the newest movie, but instead, it’s cluttered with malware.
Bill here from PixelPrivacy.com. Whether it be one of our in-depth guides or our expertly crafted “how-to” articles, we’re here to show you how to stay safe online. We believe everyone has the power to keep their data secure, no matter what your level of tech expertise is and our site will show you how!
