7 Effective Ways to Safeguard Your Computer from Malware Attacks

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While viruses remain one of the most common forms of malware attacks, in recent years, ransomware attacks have been on the rise. In this article, Mytour will guide you through 7 effective ways to protect your computer from malware attacks, including viruses, ransomware, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and other malicious programs.

Ransomware typically locks users' computers by encrypting all data files on the system and demanding a ransom, usually in Bitcoin, to unlock the data files and the computer.

The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives - you can shop online or chat with family and friends from the comfort of your own home, without having to go far.

Your computer contains a wealth of important personal information, making it a prime target for malware attacks.

Failure to take steps to protect your computer and data is equivalent to leaving the door wide open for malware and hackers to attack and steal your data, as well as take control of your computer.

The recent WannaCry attack is a perfect example of ransomware, as WannaCry wreaked havoc on hundreds of thousands of Windows computers worldwide in just a few days.

In addition to WannaCry, Petya and EternalRocks are also clear examples of ransomware, posing a serious threat to users' data. While EternalRocks doesn't have any other method of execution, Petya, like WannaCry, encrypts users' documents and demands ransom.

7 Ways to Safeguard Your Computer from Malware Attacks

1. Data Backup

One of the best ways to protect your computer and data from malware attacks is to perform regular data backups. It's advisable to create at least 2 backup copies: one offline backup and one stored on cloud services.

Offline Backup

Your backup plan should include a complete system and offline data backup to be stored on an external hard drive (such as USB, ...) or on a local network location (such as Network-attached Storage or NAS).

This type of backup ensures you can recover from any malware attacks, hardware failures, and other incidents.

Remember that nothing is ever enough. If possible, you should create backup backups from the backups you've stored externally.

After creating the backup, remember to disconnect the external hard drive and store it in a safe location or disconnect the network location where you store the backup because if the drive remains online and accessible from your computer, malware can infect those files.

While you can use third-party tools on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7, you can also use the System Image Backup tool to create a complete system backup, including files, settings, applications, and OS installations.

File History is one of the typical tools to back up your files. You can use File History on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7. However, File History may no longer be available in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update set to be released this fall. If you're using Windows 10, check out how to back up your data using File History on Windows 10 here.

Additionally, if you don't have many files, you can create regular backups of your documents on a USB drive.

If you're a home user and your files don't change often, you should back up your data at least once a week. However, if you're handling files for business purposes, you should back up at least once or twice a day.

Online Backup

There are many ways to perform online backups. OneDrive is a typical example of online backup, although it's only considered to protect your data from hardware failures, theft, or natural disasters.

If your device is infected with ransomware or another type of malware, OneDrive may synchronize changes that render the cloud-stored files unusable.

A better solution is to subscribe to a third-party online backup service, such as CrashPlan or IDrive, which allows you to schedule or trigger backups on demand to prevent the synchronization of infected or encrypted files.

The only thing to note is that most cloud storage services do not provide bare-metal recovery. If that's what you need, you can create a full backup as usual, then upload the data package to a paid cloud storage service, such as Amazon Drive, Google Drive, and so on.

2. Update Windows and Software

It's crucial to always install the latest updates for Windows and other software on the system.

Companies like Microsoft and others regularly release updates to patch vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.

In the case of the WannaCry attack, many computer systems may have been spared from malware if companies were vigilant about security. They would have installed the security patch released by Microsoft before the attack occurred.

Starting from Windows 10, downloading Win 10 updates and installations are done automatically, as updating Win 10 is mandatory.

However, you can ensure your system is updated by accessing Settings =>Update & security => Windows Update, then click the Check for updates button.

On Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 devices, Windows Update may be disabled or not functioning. You can check by accessing Control Panel => System and Security => Windows Update, enabling this feature, and checking for updates if necessary.

In addition to updating Windows, you should also ensure that software updates are installed. If you are using Windows 10, apps installed from the Windows Store will update automatically.

However, traditional applications will have different update mechanisms, so make sure you check the software provider's support website to perform your software updates.

3. Upgrade to Windows 10

It's just a simple math: older versions of Windows are more vulnerable than newer ones. Newer versions of Windows include some security enhancements, and over time, newer updates will remove or update vulnerable features.

If you're using Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, you should consider upgrading to Windows 10, not only for higher security levels but also to take advantage of and regularly update newer features.

Readers can find more detailed steps for upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7, 8 previously posted by Mytour.

4. Use Firewall

Firewall is a hardware device or software that helps prevent dangerous attacks from hackers, worms, ransomware, viruses, and other malware trying to access your computer from the internet to steal user information. Therefore, when using it, you should enable the Firewall instead of turning it off. Detailed instructions on enabling Firewall have been provided on Mytour.

You can install and configure third-party security tools, but on Windows 10/8.1/7, the built-in firewall is effective.

By default, Windows Firewall is activated, but it's important to ensure that the Firewall is functioning correctly on Control Panel => System and Security => Windows Firewall. Then click the Turn Windows Firewall on oroff link on the left panel, and make sure you've selected Turn on Windows Firewall for both Private and Public networks.

If using a third-party solution, make sure you've checked the software provider's support website to learn about their Firewall management steps.

5. Install antivirus software

In today's world, installing antivirus software on your computer is essential. These programs help detect and remove malware before they can infiltrate your data and system, slowing down your computer and causing system errors.

However, just installing security software isn't enough. Your task is to regularly update the software to incorporate new features, to avoid viruses, worms, ransomware, and other threats.

By default, Windows 10 users are protected by Windows Defender Antivirus. Windows Defender Antivirus not only provides excellent real-time protection against viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, and rootkits but also has the ability to detect and remove ransomware like WannaCry.

Windows 8.1 users can also take advantage of the benefits of Windows Defender Antivirus for free, and Windows 7 users can install Security Essentials on their computers: Download Security Essentials

To enhance protection further, you can adjust the cloud protection level of Windows Defender Antivirus on Windows 10.

Of course, you can choose any antivirus program you want, just make sure that the program you use is reliable. If you're unsure which program to choose, you can check the list of antivirus programs for Windows.

If you want to add additional security features to combat ransomware, you can try specialized security software for malware, such as RansomFree.

Download RansomFree to your computer and install it here: Download RansomFree

RansomFree is a relatively new security software by Cybereason, which does not rely on traditional 'definition' updates. Instead, the software utilizes system behavior analysis to prevent ransomware from taking control of your computer.

After installation, RansomFree will halt any suspicious activity on your computer. You will then be prompted to allow or deny these activities. If denied, RansomFree will send it for further inspection.

You can also find more information and download RansomFree for free on Cybereason's website.

6. Use devices more cautiously

Security software is your best solution. Typically, if a computer is infected with malware due to someone inadvertently clicking on an email attachment, a pop-up web window, or installing apps from unreliable sources.

When checking email, it's best to only open emails from senders you know or can identify, and delete any suspicious emails. Suspicious emails or spam are often easy to spot due to numerous grammar and spelling errors.

Sometimes malware can lurk behind pop-up windows when you visit certain websites. If a pop-up window seems suspicious, it's best to stay away and avoid clicking on any images or links within it. Simply close the window. If you can't close the window, just restart your computer.

Only use modern web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. These browsers have been developed over many years, and the built-in security features are quite robust, capable of warning you about potentially unsafe websites.

Absolutely do not download and install apps from unknown sources; only download apps from trusted websites. If you're using Windows 10, only download apps from the Microsoft-verified Windows Store for security purposes.

7. What to Do If Your Computer Is Infected with Malware

Here are some solutions you can take to recover a system infected with malware.

In case your computer is infected with a virus, worm, ransomware, or other malware, the first step you need to take is to disconnect the device from the network and turn off Wi-Fi on the computer to prevent the malware from spreading (or, if unable to do so, you can kill or remove it from your Wi-Fi network or turn off the router until you have killed the infections).

If you can control your computer, you can use Windows Defender Antivirus for offline scanning. Additionally, you can create a bootable USB drive with Windows Defender Antivirus capability to perform offline scans.

In case you're using another antivirus program, you can check the software support website for instructions on performing offline scans.

If you can't remove the malware, it's time to restore your system from a backup. If you have a data backup, you can perform a clean install of Windows 10, then restore your files from the backup. Additionally, you'll need to reconfigure the user experience and reinstall previously installed applications.

Finally, if you can't remove the malware and you don't have any backups, the best course of action is to contact a computer expert for assistance.

Here we've presented 7 ways to protect your computer from malware attacks. We hope that after reading this article, you'll gain more knowledge and experience to safeguard your computer and data from malware, viruses, ransomware, worms, trojans, and rootkits.

And of course, if you have any questions, you can seek assistance from Mytour. Mytour hopes to address your questions as soon as possible.

The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ransomware and how does it work?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user's data and demands a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, to unlock the files. It can spread through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or exploiting system vulnerabilities.

How can regular data backups help protect against malware?

Regular data backups are crucial because they allow you to restore your files in case of a malware attack. It's best to have both offline and cloud backups to ensure your data is secure even if one method fails.

Why is updating Windows and software important for security?

Updating Windows and other software ensures that any vulnerabilities hackers might exploit are patched. Regular updates help close security gaps, reducing the risk of malware infections like WannaCry or Petya.

Is using a firewall necessary to protect my computer?

Yes, enabling a firewall helps block unauthorized access and prevents malware from attacking your system. Whether you use the built-in Windows Firewall or a third-party tool, it's essential to keep it activated and updated.

What steps should I take if my computer is infected with malware?

If infected, first disconnect your computer from the internet to stop malware from spreading. Use offline antivirus scanning, such as Windows Defender, to remove the malware. If that doesn't work, restore from a backup or seek professional help.

Why is it important to install antivirus software on your computer?

Antivirus software helps detect, block, and remove malware before it can harm your system. Regularly updating the antivirus program ensures it can protect against the latest threats, including ransomware and trojans.