8 Tips To Protect Your Devices From Malware

At some point, the vast majority of us have had to deal with the dreaded malware. This malicious software can compromise computers, smartphones and tablets, slow down your system, fill your devices with pop-ups, block access to programs and even render your device unusable. In this article you will discover how to protect your devices from malware.

Tips to protect your devices from malware

Although cyberattacks continue to modernize, there are precautions we can take to prevent them. Here are some tips that can be important to protect your devices.

1. Be wary of strange e-mails

Emails with alarming subject lines such as "You owe money", "Your debt could be collected at the end of the month" or "You have won a promotion" are often used as bait to spread malware. Beware of these messages! Do not click on anything in these emails or download attachments.

Always check email addresses. Hackers often manage to replicate the logos of institutions and companies, for example, but not their emails. E-mail addresses with strange or meaningless names, or with letters separated by several dots or dashes, are usually fake.

If you want to check the veracity of messages, go to the official website of the institutions or companies that the e-mails claim to represent, and contact them at an official number.

2. Research apps before downloading them

Official app stores, such as the Apple Store or Google Play, are usually reliable. But don't underestimate the ability of hackers to circumvent the security measures of these platforms. Check the reviews of the app you want.

Another important step is to research the app outside the app store. You can check if there are other complaints about its performance.

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3. Do not click on pop-up windows

Avoid clicking on pop-up windows at all costs. They are another resource often used to spread malware. Don't believe their flashy "You've won the sweepstakes" messages, just close the pop-up window.

4. Use an ad blocker

To circumvent precautions like the above, hackers have created so-called malvertising, harmful ads that can install malware on our devices even if we haven't clicked on anything. Using an ad blocker can prevent this type of attack.

5. Always update your software

Constant requests to update your software can be annoying, but they do not happen for no reason. With each new update, systems acquire new protections against malware. Keeping your devices up to date is key to protecting them.

6. Avoid sites that download pirated files.

As an illegal practice, piracy of movie, series and music files is not usually done on trustworthy sites. In addition to bringing a mixture of harmful ads and dangerous pop-ups, these pages may have malware in the files they make available for download.

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7. Avoid using open Wi-Fi

Open Wi-Fi does not have the security of an encrypted password or the safeguards that an establishment or company's official website may have in place to provide access to its network. When you are in a restaurant or at the airport, for example, opt for closed Wi-Fi that requires a password or registration on the establishment's official website.

8. Use an antivirus

Antivirus software exists to protect your devices from malware. Use it, keep it updated and follow its instructions whenever it alerts you.