{"id":4021,"date":"2016-07-06T03:21:05","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T08:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.filepuma.com\/?p=4021"},"modified":"2024-06-18T05:07:20","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T12:07:20","slug":"how-to-prevent-computer-viruses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filepuma.com\/reviews\/how-to-prevent-computer-viruses\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Computer Viruses"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Do\u00a0you have\u00a0some practical ways to easily avoid computer viruses?\u00a0How could we\u00a0<\/span>avoid them\u00a0, or at least spot them early? And if the worst comes to pass, how can we get rid of computer viruses once we have them<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>OK! Now, let’s look at some basic tips.<\/p>\n

Always have a backup of core files and programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Should the worst happen, nothing can get you back up and running faster than having a backup of all your critical files & programs. Before anything else, ensure you have a regular backup system in place.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of options out there to backup files locally to hardware or in the cloud\u00a0\u2013 even ways to easily manage backups for multiple devices.\u00a0When wiping your machine is the only option left to remove a stubborn virus, getting back up and running is quick and painless when you have a backup to hand.<\/p>\n

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Never download programs from untrusted sites<\/strong><\/p>\n

Viruses often get on your computer via an infected program. Always download software from the original supplier or a trusted third-party website.<\/p>\n

Previously, when programs were only ever installed via CDs and DVDs, virus creators were blocked from attaching their viruses to the install files.\u00a0Now that we download many of our programs online, virus creators can upload their infected program files in locations designed to look and feel like they are the genuine deal.\u00a0If the app you\u2019re looking to download is only available from a third-party website, be very careful.<\/p>\n

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Use an anti-malware solution<\/strong><\/p>\n

This software will look out for threats, remove any it finds, and provide you with the ability to run ad-hoc full system scans.<\/p>\n

This might sound like a no-brainer, but running an antivirus\/anti-malware solution on your machine at all times\u00a0is absolutely essential.\u00a0Catching viruses as early as possible is vital, as viruses, like their biological namesake, spread and mutate, increasing their damage and difficulty in removal.<\/p>\n

An anti-malware solution will isolate a compromised file by putting it into quarantine, effectively containing the virus and keeping it from spreading.\u00a0The tool you choose to use\u00a0must receive regular updates (definitions), at best multiple times a day, to be up-to-date and to\u00a0protect you from new threats.\u00a0Also, it must be active at all times. Most good and reliable anti-malware solutions feature a real-time-scanner that acts like a guard and scans each file that is being accessed for potential threats.<\/p>\n

Use a firewall<\/strong><\/p>\n

A firewall is your computers front line of defense against third party threats.\u00a0It stands in the way between an external person or program which attempts to interact with your computer in some way.<\/p>\n

Whereas an antivirus program isolates and removes threats from files once they\u2019re in contact with your computer, a firewall can\u00a0prevent that file from reaching your computer in the first place.<\/p>\n

Regularly update your softwares<\/strong><\/p>\n

New viruses are being created all the time.\u00a0Updating all your software regularly helps prevent viruses from causing you trouble because\u00a0updates fix vulnerabilities to new threats.<\/p>\n

Updating Operating System software such as Windows, as well as antivirus software, will give you a great chance of evading a virus\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

Be cautious when opening email attachments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Viruses can enter your system via a malicious email attachment. Often this is achieved by an email from a compromised contact that has fallen victim to a virus himself\/herself.<\/p>\n

Avoiding email viruses can most simply be achieved by\u00a0never opening the email, or attachment if you are not 100% certain of its validity.\u00a0Received a randomly friendly email from a coworker with the subject line: \u201cthought of you\u201d?\u00a0Be suspicious.\u00a0Or how about an email from an unknown but authoritative sounding company with an \u201cinvoice\u201d attached to it?\u00a0Don\u2019t open it.<\/p>\n

Monitor all devices proactively<\/strong><\/p>\n

The firewall is up, anti-malware solution is in place, and your OS receives regular updates. Now make sure it stays like this.\u00a0Monitor your devices proactively, and be notified as soon as a firewall is disabled, or anti-malware solution is deactivated, or automatic OS updates are disabled.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re dealing with multiple devices, it can pay to ensure each one iscompletely protected.\u00a0Protecting multiple computers from viruses can be easily achieved with a \u00a0device monitoring tool. \u00a0It will check all your PCs to\u00a0identify any vulnerabilities, and provide an alert so you can react quickly.<\/p>\n

Utilize Administrator rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can sometimes feel like a complete pain to have to enter an Administrator password any time you want to install or change settings on your computer.\u00a0But there is method to this madness.<\/p>\n

Many computer viruses can be stopped in their tracks because they do not have Administrator rights.\u00a0Just as you need to enter a password to make changes, so does the virus. And without it,\u00a0it\u2019s unable to do anything.\u00a0It\u2019s worth having to go through that extra step yourself for the protection it provides.<\/p>\n

Pay attention to virus warnings and notifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your antivirus solution should provide you with notifications or warnings in one form or another. As soon as one appears, take it seriously, and take action.<\/p>\n

Even the most scrupulous computer virus avoidance techniques can occasionally allow a virus to slip through the net.\u00a0When that happens, there should be a number of things which cause an alarm bell to ring in your head.\u00a0Pay attention to it!\u00a0The most obvious one being warnings and notifications popping up from your antivirus or Anti-Malware solution.<\/p>\n

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Inform your IT department<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfortunately viruses sometimes manage to squirm through the tightest of nets, and we\u2019re left to chase after and remove them from our systems.\u00a0When this happens, even if you\u2019re not sure,\u00a0always get in touch with your IT department. There are no stupid questions.\u00a0IT Admins hugely prefer the chance to\u00a0catch early and nullify a threat\u00a0rather than you tackling it yourself.<\/p>\n

Even if you think you can handle it yourself, it\u2019s preferable to inform IT so they can make any changes to prevent it spreading, or to help your coworkers avoid a similar threat.\u00a0Some viruses can even duplicate themselves within the network, leading towidespread infection, damage, and a lengthy cleanup process. \"inform-it-department-1030x539\"<\/p>\n

Take care in removing the virus<\/strong><\/p>\n

If there\u2019s no IT department, or your personal devices are infected for instance, there are a few steps you can take<\/p>\n

Step 1 \u2013 Safe Mode.\u00a0Disconnect your PC from the network\/internet to prevent the virus from spreading to other computers.\u00a0Then restart your computer into Safe Mode:<\/p>\n