How can you protect your computer against malware and viruses?

These days, there seems to be almost nothing you can't do online: Working, learning, shopping, online banking, playing games, meeting people, etc. The list is endless. While this development brings many benefits, such as greater accessibility and convenience, there are also risks.

We’re constantly connected to the Internet. These days, everyone has a cell phone that’s connected to the Internet through a mobile plan from a provider like SALT (https://fiber.salt.ch/de/), no matter where we are. Plus, at home we’re usually connected to our Wi-Fi—not to mention, there are now Wi-Fi hotspots in all kinds of public places. However, an unfortunate side effect of the digital world is our increased vulnerability to malware such as computer viruses. That’s why, in this article, we’ll look at the steps anyone can take to prevent malware and stay safe.

What is malware?

Malware is a collective term for a variety of malicious software designed to infiltrate digital devices or networks. It is usually aimed at disrupting business operations, damaging or stealing data, stealing money from online accounts, hijacking computers to carry out illegal activities such as the mass sending of spam emails or extorting money from the owner of the infected system.

Malware also includes viruses. This is software that spreads from computer to computer, most commonly via email, messaging services or social media. Viruses have been around for about four decades and are still a major problem in today's internet environment.

How to protect yourself against malware and viruses

Almost all of us have sensitive data on our devices that needs to be protected, whether it’s confidential work-related information or online banking information. That’s why it’s crucial not to let hackers and cybercriminals gain access to our computers. Here are some precautions users can take to that end:

Use up-to-date anti-malware software

Installing and updating an anti-malware tool will protect your computer from viruses and other malware. The easiest way is to use Microsoft Defender, a free anti-malware software that comes with Windows and is automatically updated via Windows updates. Of course, there are also anti-malware programs from other companies. However, more is not necessarily better. Running many anti-malware programs at the same time can cause the system to become sluggish or unreliable.

Beware of phishing e-mails

You should never open emails or attachments from unknown senders. Viruses are often attached to email messages and infect your system as soon as you open the attachment. This is known as phishing and is one of the most common cyber threats today. Therefore, it’s best not to open any attachments unless you’re expecting them. You should also only visit secure websites.

Activate a pop-up blocker in the web browser

Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear in addition to the website that is currently open. Although most of them are designed for advertising purposes, they can also contain dangerous or harmful code. As a rule, these windows can be completely or partially prevented with the help of a pop-up blocker. If you use Microsoft Edge as your browser, the pop-up blocker is activated by default.

Perform Windows updates on a regular basis

Microsoft regularly provides special security updates that can contribute to the security of your computer. By patching potential security vulnerabilities, these updates help to prevent viruses and other malicious attacks. Windows updates ensure that the user's PC receives these updates automatically. However, it may be necessary to restart the system from time to time for the updates to be fully installed.