Secure Your Computers by Using Antivirus Software

 Secure Your Computers by Using Antivirus Software

It is not always enough to be cautious; we cannot protect ourselves from absolutely everything.

If you have a conversation about ANTIVIRUS with a group of techies, it's guaranteed that at least one of them will say that this type of software is not necessary if you are careful when using your computer. This statement is partly true because the most important thing to avoid infecting the computer with malware is to have common sense and to follow certain parameters that will keep you safe. However, this does not mean that you will be 100% protected all the time and that is why, in most cases, it is necessary to have an antivirus installed.

 

If you use Windows, you have to be more careful than ever, not because this operating system is not secure, but because it has been the most popular for many years. Linux and OS X have far fewer users in the world and this is why malicious software developers often create malware that attacks Microsoft's operating system, simply because it is more likely to be successful.

 

The truth is that even if all possible precautions are taken, you will never be totally safe from malware. But by installing an antivirus (if you don't have it by default), using common sense and following some tips for your safety, you can avoid malicious software in a victorious way.

 

Stay protected by Antivirus Software

1. Be careful with the sites you visit. If you frequent sites with adult content and websites where pirated software is downloaded, the risk of an infection on your computer increases greatly. In this case, you can avoid these pages entirely or visit them with caution. But sadly, legitimate web pages can also be compromised with malware. This is one of the reasons why it is good to have an antivirus that always protects us.

 

2. Use a modern operating system. Yes, it is true that Windows XP was great, but it is no longer supported, and therefore insecure. So try to install Windows 7 or later version.

 

3. Install updates. Always install the updates that the system offers because they are made to protect the user. If you forget them, then configure Windows to install them automatically, or to notify you when they are ready to install. This rule also applies to the apps you use.

 

4. Create guest accounts on your computer. You should only consider this if you lend your computer to someone else. The idea is that there is another user who is not an administrator to prevent a friend or relative from infecting your PC without realizing it.

 

5. Download software from the author's page. There are pages where they collect  Antivirus software of all kinds and in them you can download whatever you want. The problem is that many carry malware. Therefore, it is better to download the programs using the official website of their creators.

 

6. Install an antivirus and keep it updated. If you use Windows, you can keep Microsoft Security Essentials, which is installed by default since Windows 8.

Take constant backups

 

The last essential part of protecting yourself and no less important than the ones above is doing regular offline backups. To do this, you can use both local storage devices and cloud storage solutions. Take a look at our report on the best services to save your files in the cloud.

 

There are many options, but since ransomware is a huge threat that directly impacts every computer, we strongly recommend creating your own and local backups without any internet connection. Follow our guide on how to back up Windows 10 for more details on the software you can use and how to set up a program to perform backups automatically.

 

So I don't need any other ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE?

Yes and no. If it turns out that you are a fairly careful and cautious user who does not do things without first reading them well and uses the methods described above, it is still enough. Make sure you configure Windows Defender correctly, enabling Smart Screen and Ransomware functions to get the most out of Windows protection. But, and this is important, there will always be a possibility that something sneaks into your computer through the network. So if you want the highest levels of defense, do all of the above and license a full security suite.

 

Check out our report on the 10 best antiviruses for Windows to make a wise decision that suits your needs. And remember that no software will prevent you from recklessly revealing your account details or data online.

 

Always stay alert and you will be safer on the net.