7 ways to protect your computer from malware

Has your computer been moving slower than normal? There may be a reason—malicious software.

When the performance of our hardware begins to behave unusually, our default reaction is to think that it’s a virus. Though a virus is always a possibility, more often than not the issue is a specific type of infection known as malware.

Malware is extremely prevalent, annoying, time consuming, and frustrating, regardless of whether it is designed to give you a hard time, or to hijack your browser or operating system.

There are more than two million different malware threats are created each day. When you think about it, that is an extraordinarily difficult number to wrap your head around.

What preventive measures can you take against popular malware like ransomware, phishing, and cryptojacking? Here’s a seven-step plan.

1. Always used a trusted antivirus program from a reputable provider.
2. Run scans regularly.
3. Always update your operating systems and software.
4. Don’t click on everything you see (a website or email link).
5. Use security networks, proxies, and/or VPN’s whenever possible.
6. Know what the latest threats are and how to prevent them.
7. Protect your usernames and password as if your financial future depends on it.

Malware is extremely prevalent, yet it is not impossible to avoid. A lot of preventative measures are simple and require minimal effort or funds to implement.