Sadly, common sense alone isn’t enough to protect your Windows PC from malware –

malicious software that disrupts your computer’s operations or gathers sensitive information

about your online behaviour.

 

Hackers can attack your PC in so many different ways that employing several layers of

anti-malware protection is the only way to keep your PC malware-free when it’s online.

 

Here are five steps to protect your computer from Malware.

 

 

 

 

Tip 1: Install, update and use anti-virus software

 

 

 

 

Installing antivirus software may sound like an obvious first step to protect against

malware, but not everyone bothers to do it. With so many options now available, though,

there really is no excuse. Microsoft offers its own free protection in the form of the Windows

Defender Security Centre. 

 

 

Tip 2: Keep Windows up to date

 

 

 

 

Hackers often discover new ways to bypass Windows’ built-in security features, which

is why Microsoft issues small operating system updates every Tuesday and larger updates

once or twice a year. These will be downloaded and installed automatically by Windows

Update, but only if this feature is properly configured.

 

Windows Update cannot be switched off by default in Windows 10, you should be receving

updates already. However, if you'd like to check for a new update, search Windows Update

from the Start Menu. 

 

 

Tip 3: Turn on the Windows firewall

 

 

 

 

Windows has a built-in ‘firewall’ that protects your PC from unwanted attention via the

internet. This software firewall is enabled by default and works alongside any hardware

firewall that’s built into your home broadband router. Check its settings by typing “check firewall”

 in the Start menu search box and choosing Check firewall status from the results.

 

Three green tick marks mean the firewall is working normally - if not, select each one

to turn the firewall on.

 

 

Tip 4: Use the latest version of your web browser

 

 

 

 

Web browsers are vital applications, but just like other software, they can contain bugs.

Hackers are quick to capitalise on these and create bogus (or infect genuine) web sites

with data designed to exploit them. Once a web browser has been compromised in this

way, a hacker can monitor everything you type, including passwords to credit card numbers.

That’s why it’s vital to use the latest version of your web browser - anything other than

this may be a security risk.

 

Internet Explorer is on its way out to make way for Microsoft Edge, so don't expect to use

that forever. Edge, like Google Chrome and Firefox browsers, should automatically update

themselves.

 

 

Tip 5: Don't fall for phishing emails

 

 

 

 

Emails that appear to be from a recognisable online service asking you to log into a site to

confirm some personal details are always fake.

 

These emails are usually caught by your email application’s spam filter, but if one does

slip through and you click its link, your web browser should detect and block the site it

takes you to.

 

This does depend on your web browser being aware of the fraudulent site, though, which is

another good reason to always use the most recent version.