How to Prevent a Computer Virus

When your computer is performing suspiciously slower than usual, automatically shuts down, or is popping error messages, it could be infected with a virus. A virus could hamper the performance of your computer and put all your files at risk. Over the years, viruses have become more advanced and more difficult to detect and kill. Here are some ways to prevent a computer virus and stop putting your PC at risk.

Prevent a PC virus with reliable anti-virus software.

It is a lot easier to protect a computer from virus than fix it when it has already been attacked. The best form of action when dealing with viruses is protection. There are so many brands of anti-virus software available in the market. Invest in a business grade anti-virus and don't settle for the free or pre-installed kinds.

Avoid computer virus by browsing securely.

Whenever you go online, don't let down your guard. Be wary of suspicious sites and don't give out sensitive information at a drop of a hat. There are plenty of sneaks on the web and one innocent form can cost you all your relevant data and important files.

Always create a backup.

Viruses are usually created to mess up with your PC by erasing or altering relevant computer data. While there is no fool-proof way of preventing a computer virus, you can protect your files by creating a backup. It also won't hurt to have a remote backup online just in case your flash disks get messed up too.

Be wary of suspicious emails.

Most viruses are transmitted through emails. It is so very easy to open an attachment without scanning it. Next thing you know, you can no longer use your PC. Scanning email attachments first before opening them is a good way to avoid PC virus. Scanning files could take a while but every second is worth it. It doesn't matter who the email is from. Make it a general rule to scan and save. Another important reminder about emails---don't be trigger happy when it comes to website links. These links often contain all kinds of malware and virus that could make it into your PC without your knowledge. If you want to open a website, the best way is to type the address manually.

Prevent PC virus by avoiding plug-ins.

These innocent applications that claim to do a number of stuffs are often embedded with virus. Once you install them, it can slow down your PC and expose your computer to a spyware of some kind. Prevent computer virus attacks by saying no to plug-ins.

Fix errors.

Errors can make your PC vulnerable to virus attacks. A good program to invest in is Smart PC Fixer. This program scans and repair errors in minutes. It is also an effective anti-virus application. It scans your PC for virus, malware, and spyware. This is a very neat way of keeping your PC healthy and preventing all kinds of computer virus.

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Find, Remove, and Prevent Viruses, For Free

1. Install A Reliable Anti-Virus Program.

This is the core of your computer protection. Without standard virus protection software, nothing you do will keep viruses from flooding your system. We've had clients bring in computers that wouldn't even turn on because they had ZERO virus protection in place. The way these people were using their computers was pretty normal: surfing the web, sending email, maybe a game of solitaire, but because they didn't have at least one virus protection program, they rolled out the "digital welcome mat".

Having said that, you don't need to go out and purchase the top software for a high annual fee. There are plenty of free anti-virus programs out there, and even more "free trial versions". You can go with one of the more recognizable programs, but with the "big guys" there are very few truly "free" versions. You'll likely get a thirty-day trial, but at the end of that trial you'll have to toss them your credit card number or else they'll completely remove their protection, leaving your computer vulnerable until you can find that next "trial program" (which is all the time a virus needs to sneak in and start wreaking havoc). So if you want to go with popular software, but they don't have a free version, either pay up front or pay attention to your trial date so you don't leave your "computer door" open to infection. There are plenty of awesome free anti-virus programs out there and depending on what you use your desktop or laptop for, a paid version might not be necessary. I use my computer a lot and for a wide-range of activity, but I've kept my laptop squeaky-clean using only FREE anti-virus software. No virus program will catch everything, so it's a good idea to have backup (See #2).

2. Install An Anti-Malware or Anti-Spyware Program.

As good as the supposed "all-in-one" programs can be, they won't catch everything. Do your virus removal software a favor and back it up with anti-malware and anti-spyware software. These programs find and remove specific malicious content that's easy to miss. Like the all-in-one anti-virus software, you'll face the "free or paid" dilemma, but most programs offer plenty of protection whether you pay for them or use a free version. Depending on how much you use your laptop or desktop and what you use it for, you don't have to run these programs as often as your core virus program. For example, I only run my anti-malware program once a month (and my core anti-virus program once a week).

3. Set Up and Schedule Automatic Scanning for Your Laptop or Desktop.

Most anti-virus and anti-malware programs have the option to set up scheduled automatic scanning during downtime. Use this feature to ensure protection because yes, viruses can infect your computer even when you're not using it! Many people like to turn off their laptops or desktops before bed at night. If you're like them, you can schedule a scan for bedtime every night and enable the popular feature that automatically shuts down your machine after the scan is completed.

4. Use An Email Client That Scans Your Emails and Attachments Before Opening Them.

This is a big one because email is one of the easiest and most common ways hackers infect your system with malicious files. For the most part, email viruses come in the form of an attachment - pictures, documents, videos, downloads, etc. But with today's technological advances you can catch a virus just by opening the email, so make sure your email client provides email-scanning. Most of them do (this is how they distinguish which emails are spam and which aren't).

5. Know What To Look For.

Over time, computer users in general get a feel for what's legit and what is not when using the internet. However newer, slicker, and more convincing viruses and spyware are coming out every day so it's important to always be cautious when browsing, opening, downloading, etc. One of the most common virus attacks we see is the "Pop-up Virus". These are used to grab credit card numbers or other personal info from inexperienced computer users by claiming they've won something and the only way to claim the prize is to enter some kind of payment info. I'm sure you've seen them; a little window will pop up with big flashing letters and an empty space to enter your email or credit card number. Another common virus that we've been seeing more and more of is the "FBI Virus". This virus actually fills your whole screen and does not allow you out of it, no matter what you try. It appears to be a legit FBI document saying you're in trouble for some kind of illegal internet use and actually threatens to press criminal charges if you don't pay them a few hundred dollars. Don't fall for these. Remember, if you don't know exactly what you're looking at or downloading, or if something seems suspicious, stay away from it or call someone with more experience than you who might know what you're looking at.

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Web Surfing Tips - Keep Safe from Viruses

Initially it is all about keeping yourself safe online without too much dependence on external security. You need to change your surfing habits that will ensure that you are not falling into the virus infection trap. It is essential that you follow smart computing tips.

Following are some of the tips that you can keep in mind while surfing online:

• It is advisable no to open or even access e-mail attachments from unknown sources. Additionally, to be on the safer side do not open an e-mail attachment if it looks suspicious even sent by a known contact. Often an infected PC sends auto-generated e-mails with malware within attachment.

• Fake e-mails are generated that seem to come from financial institutions like banks. A better practice is to copy the URL and paste it in your browser to find out if it is authentic.

• Never reply to e-mails that are asking for your bank details or details related to your transaction.

• It is essential to keep your security suite updated and patch up your security. Often malware enter your system due to flawed security patch or outdated security. Remember to update your security suite. Opting for software like Personal Software Inspector by Secunia is another way of detecting system vulnerabilities.

• One more thing that you need to keep in mind is avoid visiting websites that are full of XXX content or videos. Often these are the means of entrapping a visitor for inflicting malware attack.

• Often whenever an advertisement appears you have a habit of closing the window by clicking the X button. This in turn launches the malware in your system unknowingly or redirects you to a malicious website.

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Virus Removal Can Help Performance of Your PC

Virus removal is one of the most essential services that you will ever require on your computer. Viruses keep running as and when you switch on your computer, if the computer has already been infected. This will affect the performance of your computer, as well as expose the data stored on your computer to potential security threats.
Threats posed by computer viruses
Computer viruses pose a number of threats to the infected computers. If your computer is infected with a virus, it could cause all kinds of potential damages. It could pick up sensitive data such as your bank account number and your passwords from your computer and transmit the information to remote computers. It could paralyze some essential parts of your computer and thereby prevent you from using your computer normally.