Preventing Malware Infections

Most computer security experts recommend just a few simple measures to keep your computer free of malware.

First, and most importantly, your computer should be protected by an antivirus program (with real time scanning) and a firewall. Both types of program can be found free of charge and the links on this site should help you to download a suitable program. It is also possible to find packages that combine a virus scanner with a firewall, although most of these are commercial products. It is worth remembering that there may be times when neither a free product nor a big-name package are entirely suitable (you can read more about this here).

Second, once an antivirus program and firewall have been installed, they must be kept up to date in order to protect your system against the latest threats. This means downloading and installing updates regularly. Most programs will do this automatically, but some free packages have to be updated manually.

Third, it is a good idea to carry out a complete scan of your system from time to time. As well as using your own antivirus software, you should also use an online scanner as a double-check. This will increase the chances of detecting any particularly tricky malware.

Fourth, it is essential to make regular backups of important data, such as e-mails or wordprocessing documents. This will not only protect against damage caused by malware, but will also make sure you dont lose your data due to other problems, such as a hardware failure. Software to backup your data automatically is available free of charge and storage media, such as flash drives or rewritable DVDs, is inexpensive.

Finally, learn about the threats to your computer system and how to recognise the signs (reading this article has been a very good start!) Keep up with news related to computer security and look out for potential problems. As an example, if you learn about a new e-mail virus, check that your antivirus software is capable of detecting it.

Just following the simple measures outlined here should be enough to keep you safe from most threats. Remember though that your best weapon against malware is simple is simple common sense, the same sense that should make sure you install that antivirus program and firewall today!

Paul Edwards is the psudonym of one of the UKs best-selling authors in the area of ICT. More information on protecting your computer from viruses, spyware, hackers and other threats can be found at Protect My PC