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A computer with no security is like having a house with no locks and no guards. It makes it easier for burglars to break in steal your valuables, and even vandalize your property. The same applies to computers and their programs. Without proper security measures, malicious software can easily infiltrate your system and wreak havoc. It’s like that house again: unprotected computers are easy targets for cyber criminals who leave backdoors in their software so that they can return whenever they want, undetected by antivirus software. And just as burglars will break into a house if they know there’s something valuable inside, malware creators try to get users to install their apps by tricking them into believing they’re harmless

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all while invading the user’s privacy or destroying their data. If you’re worried about protecting yourself from these threats, this blog post covers 10 ways you can protect your computer from malicious software:

Run Up-to-Date Software

If you’re using outdated software, you’re at an elevated risk of all kinds of malware—viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and more. New bugs are discovered in computer programs all the time, and software companies release updates regularly to fix them. If you don’t update your software, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to those bugs, which malicious hackers can exploit. If you use programs like web browsers, email clients, or word processors, they’re likely to be updated automatically, but other software, like your operating system, might not be. You should check your computer’s operating system’s website to see if there are any updates available and if there are, install them.

Use a Reputable Antivirus Program

Computer antivirus software has come a long way since the days of clunky programs that slowed down your computer and were easily tricked into missing threats. Today’s antivirus software is lighter on your system and more effective at scanning for malware than ever before. It’s critical to run antivirus software on your computer and make sure it’s up-to-date so that you can detect and remove any viruses or other malicious software that may try to infiltrate your system. There are many free antivirus programs available, but you should use one that’s been recommended by security experts.

Be Careful Where You Install Apps

You can find apps for just about everything online—and most of them are free. Before you download an app, make sure you read reviews and examine its permissions and privacy policy. If an app has a ton of permissions, like access to your webcam or microphone, it’s a good idea to steer clear of it.

If an app is requesting more privileges than are necessary for it to operate, it’s best to avoid installing it altogether. You should also be wary of apps that are hosted on third-party websites, as you have no idea who made them or what their permissions are. If an app is hosted on a website you’ve never heard of before, it’s best to steer clear of it, especially if it’s offering something that’s too good to be true.

Stay on the Dark Web

For the most part, you should avoid visiting the dark web—the portion of the internet that’s only accessible through Tor or a VPN (a virtual private network). It’s a haven for criminals and hackers, and there are countless malicious websites and apps on these networks.

That said, there are legitimate uses for the dark web, like whistleblowing and communicating with people in dangerous parts of the world. By using a VPN, you can access the dark web anonymously, so malicious actors can’t track your IP address, which is the only way they know who’s visiting their websites.

Don’t Run Apps Unless You Know Who Made Them

There’s a wealth of legitimate applications for computers, like productivity software and media players. But there’s also a sea of garbage apps on app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store. Don’t run apps on your computer unless you know who created them. If you’re not sure, conduct some research on the app’s website or on third-party sites like app reviews or discussion forums. Be especially wary of apps that claim to be free but ask for money later, as well as apps that offer to give you something for free, like extra features or removal of ads. You never know what a malicious app will do until it’s too late.

Use a VPN When You’re Connected to the Internet

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a program that encrypts your data and routes it through a server, making it so that people on the internet can’t see what you’re doing or where you’re connecting from. Most people use VPNs to protect their internet connection from their ISP (internet service provider) or from government surveillance, but they can also be used to protect your devices from malware. If you connect to the internet without a VPN, malicious actors on the same WiFi network as you can potentially see what you’re doing online, including logging into your accounts, downloading apps, and sending emails—all without your knowledge.

Turn On Auto Updates for Your Apps

Most apps that you install on your computer are designed to be single-use programs, and once they’ve done what they were designed to do, they’re done. Unfortunately, a lot of malicious software is disguised as apps that perform legitimate functions and ask for your permission to do things like access your webcam or read your contacts. That’s why it’s important to turn on automatic updates for your apps and install updates as soon as they become available. This ensures that you always have the latest version of your apps installed, which is one of the best ways to protect yourself against malicious software.

Don’t Ignore Warnings From Your Antivirus Software

When you run antivirus software, it’s going to give you warnings about certain files that it suspects are malicious. Many people ignore these warnings, thinking that their antivirus software has made a mistake. Most of the time, antivirus software is correct in flagging files as malicious, but some people ignore the warnings because they don’t know how to fix the problem. The best thing to do when your antivirus software gives you a warning is to use Google to find out what the problem is and whether you can fix it yourself. For example, you might get a warning that there’s something fishy about an image or file on your computer, but you don’t know what it is or how to get rid of it. If you Google the warning and the file name that your antivirus software gives you, you’ll likely find instructions on how to remove the file.

Lock Down Your Computer With a Password

Computer passwords are critical at all times, but especially when you’re online. If you use the same password for everything online, a hacker who figures out one of your login credentials can use it to access the rest of your accounts, too. That’s why it’s important to use a password manager to generate unique passwords for every account you own, and to make them as long as possible. It’s also crucial to make sure that your computer is properly protected with antivirus software and a firewall. Finally, make sure you’re using two-factor authentication wherever possible, especially when it comes to your online email accounts.

Conclusion

This article will cover 10 ways you can protect your computer from malicious software. You should run up-to-date software, use a reputable antivirus program, and be careful where you install apps. You should also stay on the dark web, and don’t run apps unless you know who made them. You should use a VPN when you’re connected to the internet and turn on auto-updates for your apps. Finally, you should lock down your computer with a password, and make sure your computer is properly protected.