With the latest news about computer attacks with malware or ransomware seems that finally there are those who are taking seriously the advice on computer security. However, staying safe from viruses, hackers, and other threats isn't always easy.
There is no definitive trick to avoid getting a virus. You can follow all the recommendations of computer security and despite this being the victim of an attack. Nobody is free, not even the main companies in the country.
That said, if you exercise extreme caution, you will likely have your computer safe from malware, ransomware, and other similar threats. Today we bring you several tips so that you are not the victim of an attack due to mere ignorance.
Most of the time viruses enter a computer due to lack of user experience or due to recklessness. Not in vain we usually say that the best possible antivirus like total security is to surf the Internet safely, although it does not hurt to take some extra measures such as those that we will propose below.
Pay attention so that you do not have problems of this type whatever your operating system, both on Linux and macOS and especially on Windows, the main target of hackers and malware developers, and phishing campaigns.
Download Software From Official Sources
Pirated programs or applications can be installed on any operating system. Or they may not be but their source of origin is unknown. This should be avoided if you want protection against viruses, Trojans, and other malicious programs.
Our advice is that if you want to avoid being the victim of a computer attack on your computer, refrain from downloading programs from third-party websites. Go directly to the website of the developer, the company that distributes the program or download it from an official store.
Linux, macOS, and Windows have a software store. You can safely download any program from them. Do not risk downloading a program from any website: it may be that as soon as you install it you will end up losing control of your computer, and you do not want that to happen.
You Are Not the One Million Visitor
If you have been on the Internet long enough, you are cured of fright. It is difficult to deceive yourself and you know that it is impossible that you have won a new prize every time you enter a download website. You have not been the visitor a million nor have you won a magnificent prize.
If you click on the ads that promise you a reward, win easy money, or any other immediate benefit, you are exposing your computer to viruses. Avoid clicking on banners suspected of being a fraud. They only want your data and privileged access to your files.
Of course, if they ask for your email or phone number, refuse. Unless it is an official or trusted website, avoid providing personal information to third parties over the Internet.
Keep the System Updated
The Wannacry ransomware has demonstrated the importance of keeping the operating system updated to its latest version. Microsoft released a patch but many decided to ignore it, thus becoming easy prey for this computer virus.
Windows is not the only OS that has vulnerabilities. macOS and Linux too, although with less compatible malware circulating they are not as exposed to the dangers that arise from ignoring basic information security advice.
Ideally, you should keep your computer updated to the latest stable version of the operating system. If your OS shows you a pop-up window asking you to update for security reasons, listen to it. And of course, if you're using unsupported versions like Windows XP, it's time to upgrade.
On Amazon, there are Windows licenses for € 10 and if you want to go to Linux you can do it for free with some of their best distributions. There is no justification for using an outdated system exposed to security threats.
Use Antivirus and Scan With Antimalware Periodically
Some people think that antivirus is useless to protect you from the latest computer threats, the most modern viruses. They may be right since these programs use a database to identify whether what is entering your PC is dangerous or not.
However, surfing the Internet without antivirus is worse than doing it with one. You don't have to spend the money, although the most successful ones are paid. There are many very good free antivirus, especially for Windows. Any of these can provide you with acceptable malware protection.
Of course, in addition to the main antivirus, we advise you to scan your computer periodically with other tools. It is always positive to have a second opinion, the one that anti-spyware and similar tools can give you, also totally free.
Establish Strong Passwords, Ideally Two-step Verification
One of the digital treasures is data, and you have a lot of data in your email accounts or social networks. That is why it is essential to protect them with strong passwords and, ideally, with two-step verification.
Forget 12345 as your password. Try creating one that has uppercase, lowercase, and symbols, as well as numbers. Otherwise, some programs used by hackers will hardly take a few minutes to decrypt your password.
Two-step verification is an extra layer of computer security. In addition to the password, you need to have your mobile phone nearby to access an account. It is not foolproof but it makes it harder to be targeted by a hacker. Google or Facebook has it, among others.
Learn to Recognize Internet Scams
Phishing campaigns are the best way to get hold of user data. If you do not know what they are, here we explain it, although basically, it is about tricking you into clicking on a link.
Once you are inside, the fake website tries to extract your data. It is difficult to recognize when you are being a victim of phishing because it is posing as a trusted website or company.
The trick to avoid being scammed by hackers, at least from your computer, is the URL. If you hover the mouse over a link that comes to you by mail or that you find on a website, it will be shown in full in the lower-left area of the browser.
Normally a URL is simple: it has WWW, the name of the company that owns the web, and .com or .es at the end. In the case of phishing, it is common that it contains strange elements such as click me or words that are mixed with the name of the company that they are impersonating.
If you recognize one of these links, whoever it comes from, never enter them.
Beware of Public WiFi
It is impossible, absolutely impossible, to check if a public WiFi network is secure. You may have been the victim of a cyberattack, the router's firmware is out of date, or someone else is intercepting your information for any other reason.
What does this mean? That all your passwords, messages, and other data can be decrypted by anyone with enough knowledge for them. Having your WhatsApp read is wrong, but at the end of the day, it can do you little harm. The banking apps thing is another matter.
To protect yourself from hackers, it is highly recommended that you do not enter passwords and do not directly access the bank's application with public WiFi. Even at home, you can be exposing yourself, reason enough to turn off the wireless network on your mobile when you go to access these applications.
Another option is to use a VPN to connect to the Internet. It is the only way to keep your privacy completely while browsing.
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