Best practices to protect computer against viruses

Being careful about what we click on will save us from many potential threats. We will only use your info to send you awesome content and exclusive deals.

Carpe Diem. All rights reserved. Sign Me Up. Share via. Copy Link. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn't match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information. Not enough pictures. Any additional feedback? Submit feedback. Thank you for your feedback! Share with facebook. Share with twitter. Share with linkedin.

Share using email. Justin Renteria There are simple steps you can take to protect your computer from malware and viruses.

Buy legitimate software, and register it. Make sure your software is up to date. Set your system to automatically download and install updates from trusted software providers.

Have a pop-up blocker running on your web browser. Use a reputable antivirus program, and always keep it updated. The easiest way to recover from any malware attack is to restore a recent backup of your data. Also of Interest 5 Steps to take if you're a ransomeware victim. Leaving AARP. If you want to avoid getting a virus on your devices from the internet, installing and running antivirus software is important.

Cyberthreats have evolved, and everyday activities like online banking, shopping, and browsing can make you vulnerable to cyberthreats. Reputable security software can help protect against phishing and other online threats as you bank, shop, and browse online.

Email services like Gmail and Outlook ask for your permission before downloading an attachment. Downloading an attachment can be dangerous. While email services often have virus protection built into their software, emails with viruses as attachments can still reach your inbox. Cybercriminals often try to spread a virus with spamming emails. They send the emails with malicious attachments to a multitude of people. Once opened and executed, the virus can install in the background and begin its work.

Only click on attachments or download files from your email if you trust the source. This feature can be found in the Options or Settings of the program. Some viruses can attach to images and install themselves as soon as the email is opened. You can configure your settings to only show images from trusted sources.

This can help prevent an infected image from turning into a virus on your computer.