Antivirus PC
Common Ways to Get Infected By Malwares | Antivirus PC
Malwares are designed to infiltrate computers and install software that can steal your money and personal information. Since a lot of people use the Internet these days, almost everyone is at risk of becoming a victim of malware infections. Fed by the creativity of cybercriminals, various types of malware have grown rapidly and complex over the years.
If you want to protect yourself from these malicious programs, you have to be aware of the methods on how they can get into your computer. We have listed below some of the most common methods for contracting a malware as well as some preventative strategies to keep your computer from becoming compromised in the future such as installing antivirus PC.
- Opening unsafe attachments or links
You are likely to be infected by a virus or ransomware via spam emails or links from malicious sites. Some emails may appear to be legitimate at first glance but once you give it a second look, you may notice spelling and grammatical errors or branding that isn’t quite right. Clicking on these links or downloading attachments from an unknown sender can infect your machine.
That is why you have to pay attention to the details before you open or click on anything. When you encounter suspicious messages or links, it’s better not to open it. If you have to download anything, make sure that your antivirus PC software scans the attachment first before opening it. - Downloading software Most people think that you can only get infected by a virus when you download from an unauthorized website. However, this is not always the case as viruses are all over the Internet. Even if you are downloading software from a trusted website, there are still possibilities of infection. For example, if you are downloading a video editor from the software manufacturer's real website and clicks on the software file, it will provide you the legitimate file to download, which you can install successfully. However, what you didn't know is that the download package was injected with a virus. This is one way on how your computer can be infected.
- Online Ads Another way a virus can get into your system is through online advertisements. Cybercriminals place real advertisements on legitimate websites so they can install malwares without the user realizing it. They wait until they gain credibility, and then they put a malicious code in the ad, which subsequently infects your computer.
- Social Media Most people seem to be very relaxed when clicking links shared on social media platforms. Little did they know that some of these contain viruses. For example, a particular video on Facebook has infected many computers. Its virus was spread through a video that required a special software so the user could watch it. The virus posed a serious threat as it steals passwords, various credentials, and personal information. If you have social media accounts, beware of numerous online scams and malwares that can lead to identity theft or loss of huge amounts of money.
- Unpatched Software Lastly, you can also be infected by a virus when you don’t regularly update your installed programs. Zero-Day vulnerabilities or security holes unknown to software maker or antivirus PC manufacturers can easily compromise your computer system. Make sure to download patches as soon as they’re available to keep your device protected against these vulnerabilities.
How to Protect Against Malware
As what the popular adage says, “Prevention is better than cure.” Fortunately, there are easy tips that you can adopt to minimize your chances of running into any viruses.Be cautious.
Social engineering is being done to trick people into performing actions that will give away their personal data. It comes in the form of emails, abrupt alerts, fake profiles, and curiosity-tickling offers. When you come across any of these, it is better to just ignore them.
Check where you download programs or files.
Malwares can be present in both official websites and pirating sites. Before downloading anything, check if the website is secure and read reviews and comments.
Install ad-blocker.
Hackers can use banners or pop-up ads to infect your device. To be safe, install a reliable ad-blocker to block every ad that you see.
Browse carefully.
Malwares are common in small websites with poor backend security. Avoid going to those sites to reduce your risk of encountering viruses.
Install antivirus PC.
It is essential to install security software on your computer system. Antivirus software works by securing your data against all different types of attacks. For the best antivirus PC, choose Comodo Internet Security. It can detect and block any threat that could damage your operating system or personal data.
