How to protect your computer from malware attacks?

How to protect your computer from malware attacks?

Most of us have to deal with computer viruses or some other sort of malware. Dealing with the malware is annoying, frustrating and time consuming task.
Malware is malicious software which is programmed by attackers or hijackers to disrupt computer operation, steal personal information or gain access to your personal computer network.
Malware includes computer viruses, ransomware, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits, key loggers, dialers, spyware, adware, malicious BHOs, rogue security software, etc. Following are the various measures which can be adopted to protect your computer from malware attacks.
Installing anti-virus software/ malware software:
Installing anti-virus software seems to be an obvious step taken for protection from malware, but everyone doesn’t bother to have one especially for PCs or laptop at home. This step is must to make your system virus free.
Updating Anti- virus software:
Having a protection software is the first important step and the second is maintaining that software. Update your anti-virus software timely. Free version of such anti-virus software are better but you have to pay for updated versions.
Turn on Window firewall:
Window has in built firewall which protects your pc from unwanted attention via internet. Software firewall enabled by default and works alongside any hardware firewall that’s built into your home broadband router. Its setting can be check by typing “check firewall” in start menu.
Avoid opening suspicious emails:
Try avoid opening suspicious email attachments as they might contain malicious code. You can turn on the spam filter in your email inbox. Such mails get trapped by spam filters but if one does slip through and you click its link, your web browser should detect and block the site it takes you to.
Have the latest browser:
Web browser is one of the essential application of your system. But just like other software, it may also get affected by bugs. It becomes quite easy for hackers to exploit such affected browsers through malicious sites and steal information. To avoid this use latest version of browsers as anything other than this may be a security risk.
Secure your network:
Many of our computers gets connected to files, printers, or the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection and hence are at risk of getting affected by malicious code run by hackers. Make sure connection requires a password to access these devices and password used should be strong. Never broadcast an open Wi-Fi connection.