Want to avoid a computer virus? Follow these 5 steps (2024)

Looking for malware removal? The best cure is prevention! There is no shortage of places on the internet where you can read about how computers get infected by a computer virus – just as there is no shortage of ways to get infected – but which viruses are most common, and which are most likely to happen to you?
Today we go over the top five causes, so you know what to look out for while surfing the net or using your email.

1. Opening Links in Emails from Unknown Senders

This is probably the most effective way of disseminating malware. Emails made to look like they are from someone you know are a common tactic for viruses – hackers can even use publicly available data to pretend to be your bank, insurance provider, or some other service in order to intimidate you into believing they are who they say they are.
Be wary! Lots of companies these days try to remind their users that they never use email to ask for any details of any sort, so you can tell when you are being led astray.

2. Downloading Malware from Untrustworthy Sites

It is a common joke these days that browsing vulgar websites is liable to infect you with a virus or two, but the truth is a little more complicated than that. Viruses are present everywhere, not just on sites that have “adult” content. Some viruses can even find their way into very trustworthy and commonly used websites.
For instance, if the virus is convincing enough to pose as a large and well-known business, something as innocent as trying to install a new web browser can lead to infection. A lot of computers will warn you if they suspect software might be malicious, but it is always difficult to tell. Some viruses can even pose as a virus cleaner!

Want to avoid a computer virus? Follow these 5 steps (1)

3. Clicking Online Ads

Malicious online ads are called ’malvertisments’ in the tech world, these ads are viruses transmitted by clicking on pop up ads. Usually, ads will run ‘clean’ for a week or two, sometimes even months, in order to build trust. After this period of time, a criminal can implement the virus so that anyone who clicks it from that point on can be infected.

4. Social Media Scams

A more recent tactic, that has gained a lot of traction rapidly, is social media scams. These scams have proven to be a fantastic way for criminals to spread malware. People tend to be more at ease when dealing with people they know, so when a link is sent by a friend whose social media accounts have been compromised, users are much less likely to be suspicious.
The classic example is a viral video that circulated on Facebook, which asked users to install a plug-in so they could watch it. The ‘plug-in’ was in fact a computer virus, which recorded user passwords from their PC, to gain access to all sorts of other accounts.

Want to avoid a computer virus? Follow these 5 steps (2)

5. Software that Hasn’t Been Patched Properly

This point is slightly more complicated, and it is one most people forget about. Unpatched software refers to computer programs that have security vulnerabilities that have not been properly fixed before public release. These are often called ‘zero-day’ vulnerabilities, and hackers race to see who can exploit them before they get fixed. Security issues like this can affect anyone – even big companies like Apple or Google. The best way to sidestep this issue is to ensure you run regular updates and wait a day after the software is released so that the publisher has time to realise if there is a problem and can fix it.

Got a Virus? Need malware advice?

If you’ve got questions about virus removal or you think you have a computer virus, our expert Geeks can help you. Give us a call today at 0800 4 A GEEK and we can help you decide what the best course of action is!

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A VIRUS AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE BOOK A GEEK TODAY – BOOK NOW

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Want to avoid a computer virus? Follow these 5 steps (2024)

FAQs

Want to avoid a computer virus? Follow these 5 steps? ›

What are 5 computer viruses? A computer virus is a type of malicious software, or malware, that infects computers and corrupts their data and software. Worm, ILOVEYOU, SQL Slammer, Stuxnet, CryptoLocker, Tinba, Welchia, and Shlayer are some examples of computer viruses.

What are 5 ways to protect your computer from viruses? ›

Keep your device secure
  • Keep up-to-date. Update your system, browser, and important apps regularly, taking advantage of automatic updating when it's available. ...
  • Antivirus software. ...
  • Antispyware software. ...
  • Firewalls. ...
  • Choose strong passwords. ...
  • Use stronger authentication. ...
  • Be careful what you click. ...
  • Shop safely.

What are the 5 computer virus? ›

What are 5 computer viruses? A computer virus is a type of malicious software, or malware, that infects computers and corrupts their data and software. Worm, ILOVEYOU, SQL Slammer, Stuxnet, CryptoLocker, Tinba, Welchia, and Shlayer are some examples of computer viruses.

What are the 5 most common ways to get a computer virus? ›

How does a computer get a virus?
  • Sharing music, files, or photos with other users.
  • Visiting an infected website.
  • Opening spam email or an email attachment.
  • Downloading free games, toolbars, media players and other system utilities.
  • Installing mainstream software applications without thoroughly reading license agreements.

What are the 5 popular computer anti viruses? ›

Our Top Tested Picks
  • Best Overall. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. ...
  • Best for Extra Security Features. Norton AntiVirus Plus. ...
  • Best for Single-PC Households. McAfee AntiVirus. ...
  • Best for Speedy Scans. Malwarebytes Premium Security. ...
  • Best for Thrifty Users. Sophos Home Premium. ...
  • Best for a Small Footprint. ...
  • Best Breadth of Features.

How can we prevent viruses? ›

The best way to prevent a virus is to always remember that you're around viruses, so you wash your hands. You wash your hands frequently, esp​​ecially before you eat your food. If you're blowing your nose, you should always be thinking about using hand sanitizer or washing your hands with water and soap.

What is a virus in five point? ›

Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or animals. They're a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope. Viruses can't reproduce without a host.

How to keep your computer safe? ›

Tips to protect your computer
  1. Use a firewall. ...
  2. Keep all software up to date. ...
  3. Use antivirus software and keep it current. ...
  4. Make sure your passwords are well-chosen and protected. ...
  5. Don't open suspicious attachments or click unusual links in messages. ...
  6. Browse the web safely. ...
  7. Stay away from pirated material.

What is the 5 virus on my computer? ›

What kind of scam is "Malwarebytes - Your PC Is Infected With 5 Viruses!"? "Malwarebytes - Your PC Is Infected With 5 Viruses!" is a scam that our researchers discovered while investigating rogue webpages. It displays a fake system scan that finds multiple viruses on users' systems.

What are 5 computer virus symptoms? ›

Common Signs of Computer Viruses
  • Speed of system. A computer system running slower than usual is one of the most common signs that the device has a virus. ...
  • Pop-up windows. ...
  • Programs self-executing. ...
  • Accounts being logged out. ...
  • Crashing of the device. ...
  • Mass emails being sent from your email account. ...
  • Changes to your homepage.

What are the big 5 viruses? ›

Has the employee been diagnosed with Norovirus, E. coli, Shigella, Hepatitis A, or Salmonella Typhi or do they have jaundice or a sore throat with a fever? Exclude employee from work. Contact the Health Department immediately.

How to prevent your computer from viruses? ›

Use an anti-malware app - Installing an anti-malware app and keeping it up to date can help defend your PC against viruses and other malware (malicious software). Microsoft Defender is free anti-malware software included with Windows, and it's kept updated automatically through Windows Update.

What are the 10 types of computer anti viruses? ›

The ten types of Antivirus Software include Spyware scanners, Machine learning antivirus, Database antivirus, Malware removers, Email antivirus, Real-time antivirus, On-demand antivirus, Heuristic antivirus, Internet security suites, and Portable antivirus.

What are 3 ways a virus can infect a computer? ›

Typically, computer viruses spread through malicious online downloads, infected email attachments, or by plugging in infected hardware like an external flash drive (USB stick). Computer viruses can spread through almost any method of file sharing, as long as the virus can avoid detection by antivirus programs.

What are 6 top viruses that you could get on your computer? ›

11 of the most dangerous computer viruses
  • Mydoom. Considered by many to be the most dangerous computer virus in history, the Mydoom virus cost around $38 billion worth of damage in 2004. ...
  • Sobig. The Sobig virus is a computer worm. ...
  • Conficker. ...
  • Klez. ...
  • ILOVEYOU. ...
  • WannaCry. ...
  • Sasser. ...
  • Zeus.

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