Tips To Protect Your Windows PC Against Malware

Protect Your Windows PC Against Malware

We have a huge number of files and data saved on our Windows desktop and laptops. There might even be personal information that we hope to be confidential. And these tend to be the targets of malware. It is always better to keep the data on the PC safe against such malware attacks. But how these data and files on the Windows PC can be protected?

The main reason for malware attacks is links and attachments that you click. Yes! Usually, we receive links and attachments through emails. It can’t be declared if all the emails are trustworthy. So, there exists the malware when we click unwanted links and attachments. Clicking them will remain you with all the data and files in the PC lost. These viruses remain one of the most common forms of malware and ransomware attacks. So make sure you never tap on the wrong button.

This kind of malware locks your computer by encrypting all of your files and demanding you to pay the hackers an amount in bitcoins to get back your data decrypted. A perfect example of Ransomware is the WannaCry attack. This virus wreaked havoc thousands of Windows computers around the world in just a few days. It’s not a matter of time for your PC to get attacked by malware and viruses.

Here is a list of 7 tips to protect your Windows PC against malware. This malware includes Ransomware, virus, trojan, adware, worms, and all the other malicious attacks.

1. Backup:

Making backups regularly is one of the best ways to protect the data and files on your PC against malware. It’s better to create at least two backups. One is an online backup and the other is an offline backup. There are many ways to make backup online like OneDrive. But this can only protect your data against hardware failure, loss, or natural accidents. A better option for online backup can be some third-party online backup services such as IDrive.

If your devices get infected by Ransomware or any other malware, Onedrive will sync the changes storing those files in the cloud. Some third-party services allow you to schedule backups on demand to prevent syncing infected or encrypted files. An external hard drive or local network location will keep a full backup of all the data and files on your system. Make sure you are disconnected from the network soon after taking backup of the data from your system. Letting the drives stay online may result in the files and data being infected easily.

2. Update the Software:

Many companies regularly update the Software but it is not easy to install the updates for the software. The updates from Microsoft are released to patch potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. In the case of the WannaCry attack, many computer systems can be protected from the malware if the patch issued by Microsoft was installed.

After the Windows 10 was introduced, Software updates are mandatory and are downloaded and installed automatically. You can check for updates on your system by clicking on Updates and Security under the Security app on your system. Then click on Windows update and tap on the check for updates button. You can enable or disable the option to check for updates on your device. Also, you can do the same thing to install periodical software updates.

3. Upgrade to Windows 10:

Older versions of Windows are more vulnerable than the latest versions. The new versions released will have improvements on the security, processing speed, software updates, and vulnerable features.

The users with Windows 7 and 8.1 systems can be recommended to upgrade their software to Windows 10 since it is more secure and have improved features compared to its previous Software. You may take advantage of all these new and updated features and frequent updates with new improvements.

4. Use a firewall:

A firewall is an application based on Software or hardware that helps block malicious attacks from hackers, Ransomware, worms, viruses, and other kinds of malware attacks. You can always install and configure third-party tools for security. But Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 have a very efficient firewall.

By default, Windows Firewall is enabled except that to make sure of its work if it is perfect. You can check its work by clicking on System and Security under the Control panel. Then click on Windows Firewall. You can now turn on or off the Windows Firewall button on the left pane accordingly. Here you have to turn ON the Windows Firewall for both private and public networks.

Also, there are some third-party apps to check your Software vendor support website. This will let you learn the steps to manage their firewalls.

To guide you more about the hardware firewall, you can check out this article that talks about firewall. It will surely help you find the right hardware firewall solution you’re looking for.

5. Install an antivirus solution:

Antivirus will essentially detect and remove malware if any, without losing any data and files on your Windows PC. This is a security software to be installed on your device and you have to keep it updated always to protect your system from latest virus, Ransomware, and many other malware attacks and threats.

Windows 10 users are protected by the Windows Defender antivirus by default. It protects the system from all the types of viruses and malware attacks. It is also capable of detecting and removing Ransomware like WannaCry. The Windows Defender antivirus on Windows 10 has cloud-protection levels which can be changed to have more protection for the files and data on the system.

6. Stay one step ahead:

The reason why malware attacks our files and data on the system is clicking some unwanted attachments and links through emails, web pop-ups, or from untrusted sources. Make sure that you open only the emails received from those who you know or whom you are able to identify. It’s always better to ignore emails from unknown recipients or suspicious accounts. Spams emails can be easily spotted out because of its grammatical mistakes and typos.

Some malware appears through pop-ups and doesn’t let you forward to your work. You just can’t escape from these type of malware. Then, you can close the window. If even then, you couldn’t, the only thing that can be done is simply reboot your computer. Some of the web browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox are safe and secure than the remaining browsers.

These are some of the ways to protect your system from malware. But what if malware has already attacked your Windows PC? It just leads to losing all the files and data on your Windows PC. To avoid this, you can go through the following to protect your Windows PC against malware.

7. How to get out if your Windows PC is infected:

If you find that any virus, Ransomware, worms, adware have attacked your computer, the first thing you need to do is to disconnect the system physically from all the networks. Then turn off the Wi-Fi so as to avoid the malware from spreading. Once, you have a control on your Windows PC, use the Windows Defender antivirus offline scan option.

The other option may be you can restore your system from backup. If you have only the backup of your data, you can perform a clean install of the Windows 10. Then you can restore all your files and data from backup.

Even if these couldn’t help you restore your computer data, you can give your computer for servicing and to repair. The professionals over there may get the malware out of your system.