Even the most diligent of computer users run the risk of picking up malware. If your machine starts behaving strange, crashes, or keeps throwing up error messages repeatedly, a computer virus is to be suspected. Other symptoms can include the system failing to shut down or restart properly, a changed home page, new toolbars and icons that you didn\u2019t install or the laptop battery draining faster than it should.\u00a0Manhattan Tech Support<\/p>\n
Here are some ways to protect your system from viruses and malware:<\/p>\n
Updated software<\/p>\n
Software majors like Microsoft<\/a> and Apple routinely update their software to eliminate bugs that could be potential hacker exploits. These updates fix security holes that hackers could use to infect computers with malware.<\/p>\n Free antivirus software<\/p>\n One doesn\u2019t need to pay for software that can protect your computer or even an annual subscription to receive the latest updates. Windows users can use Microsoft Security Essentials for free. Avast is another excellent free anti-virus program that\u2019s recommended.<\/p>\n Firewall<\/p>\n Having an antivirus software<\/a> doesn\u2019t mean that you can do without a firewall. Systems with MS Windows and Macs come ready with built-in firewall software. You just need to make sure that it\u2019s enabled.<\/p>\n Strong credentials<\/p>\n Most users have the same password for everything, a practice which must be avoided. It is recommended to avoid using the same user name\/password combination for more than one site. A strong password should be complex, use eight characters or more with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. To make them simpler to remember, you can try using short phrases separated by spaces or symbols.<\/p>\n Links within emails<\/p>\n If you can not identify the sender of an email, don\u2019t click on any links it contains. According to Microsoft, half of Windows virus infections occur when the computer user clicks on something.<\/p>\n Downloads<\/p>\n It\u2019s recommended to keep your Web browser\u2019s security settings high so that unauthorized downloads are detected. In the case of Internet Explorer, the medium security setting<\/a> should be the absolute minimum level.<\/p>\n Pop-up blockers<\/p>\n We recommend never clicking on links in pop-up windows. Modern web browsers can block pop-up windows and allow you to specify the appropriate security<\/a> levels for accepting pop-ups.<\/p>\n Back Ups<\/p>\n Most users don\u2019t ever back up the information on their computers. If you fall into that category \u2013 you will have no protection from contingencies that can range from your hard drive crashing<\/a> or your house burning down. So if you value your data, be sure to back it up.\u00a0\u00a0Manhattan Tech Support<\/a><\/p>\n You have three options: online backup, cloud storage or an external hard drive. You can use a service like Google Drive, to keep your files continually backed up to the cloud. And whats more: it\u2019s free(!) for up to 15 GB of data.<\/p>\n