Page 65 - CDM-CYBER-DEFENSE-eMAGAZINE-December-2018

Top 10 Tricks to Avoid Malware

Tricks to help you avoid malware and keep your computer running smoothly

by Howard Dawson, Writer, Strictly Digital

Your computer is slower than it used to be or crashes repeatedly. Unwanted pop-ups appear and
you can’t get rid of them. Your computer keeps restarting before Windows can load. Or maybe a
ransom message appears on your screen, demanding payment to un-encrypt your files. What’s
going on?

These are all symptoms of malware. Viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, spyware, and ransomware are
all examples of different types of malware. With millions of malware (malicious software) programs in
existence and new ones popping up every few seconds, protecting your PC or mobile device can be a
challenge. Here are ten tricks to help you avoid malware and keep your computer or phone running
smoothly.

First, Beef Up Your Security

There are several ways to use software to stop malware from infecting your computer. By
blocking potential threats and being vigilant about updates, you can significantly cut down on
malware threats.

1. Install anti-malware software. The first and most obvious tip for avoiding malware is to install a good
anti-malware program, keep it updated, and run scans frequently. This step is essential to a good defense
against viruses and other malware programs.

2. Use a firewall. A firewall prevents hackers or other unauthorized users from accessing your computer
network. Without a firewall, all of the files and personal data on your computer are at risk. Both Windows
and Mac computers come with a firewall installed, but the firewall on the Mac is off by default. You’ll need
to enable it in the system settings.

3. Use a VPN. A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your data as it is transmitted between your
computer and the Internet. If a hacker intercepts your data, they won’t have the key to unlock the
encryption, so they won’t be able to read the data. For extra protection, choose a VPN which includes
malware protection and ad blocking as part of the service.

65