10 Tips to Keep Your Computer Virus-Free

 

10 Tips to Keep Your Computer Virus-Free

I have Antivirus Software, that's all I need to keep my computer clean? That is one of the most common phrases that are often heard among Internet users. But nothing further from reality. As with technology, hackers daily perfect their worms and other threats to soften unsuspecting or over-confident users. In this way, Symantec, one of the leading companies in computer security, made a list of 10 simple tips to implement to keep your home computer safe.

1 - Install reliable antivirus software: Periodically scans files for unusual changes in file size, programs that correspond to the software's known virus database, suspicious email attachments, and other warning signs. 

Installing reliable antivirus software is the most important step you can take to keep your computer virus-free.

2 - Do not open attachments automatically: Make sure your email program does not automatically download attachments to ensure that you can examine and analyze them before running. Refer to the security options of your mail programs or the preferences menu for instructions.

3 - Analyze all the attachments that come through the e-mail: be sure to run every attachment that you plan to open through the antivirus check. Do this even if you recognize and trust the sender. Malicious codes like Trojans can creep into your system, even when they appear to be from a friendly source.

4 - Get immediate protection: Set your Antivirus Software to automatically start at startup and run at all times to provide you with backup protection in case you forget to scan an electronic attachment or decide not to scan it. And in case you forget to start your antivirus software, setting it to start by itself guarantees immediate protection.

5 - Update your antivirus software frequently: an antivirus program is only good if it is updated frequently. New viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are created daily, and their variations can be brought in by out-of-date software. Most products have an option to update automatically.

6 - Do not download programs from the web: untrustworthy sources such as Internet newsgroups or websites that you have never heard of may be virus providers. Avoid download files that you don't know are safe for. This includes freeware, screen savers, games and other executable programs, files with the extension ".exe" or ".com" such as "coolgame.exe". If you have to download from the Internet, be sure to analyze each program before running it. Save all downloads to an easy-to-find folder, and then run a virus scan on all files in the folder before using them.

7 - Do not boot from a floppy disk: they are one of the most common methods of transmitting viruses. If you are using a floppy disk while working on your computer, remove it when you shut down the computer or else the computer will automatically try to boot from the floppy disk perhaps running viruses on the disk.

8 - Do not share floppy disks: Even a well-intentioned friend can unknowingly infect you with a virus, Trojan horse or worm. Label your floppy disks clearly so you can distinguish yours and do not loan them out. If a friend lends you a floppy disk that is not theirs, suggest an alternative method of sharing files.

9 - Analyze floppy disks before use: It is always important to analyze floppy disks before use, especially if you are using the disk to carry information between one computer and another. You can easily pick up a virus from an insecure network and introduce it to your system. Run a virus scan before running any of the programs on the disk to avoid infection.

10 - Use common sense: it is always better not to make mistakes with security. If you are unsure about an email attachment, delete it, especially if it comes from a source you do not recognize. If there is animated material on a site that appears to be unprofessional, do not download it.

It is worth clarifying that today there are very good Free Antivirus Software for those who cannot or do not want to access paid protection systems.