Internet can provide you with almost everything. This unfortunately also includes computer’s worst nightmares that consist of malwares such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, root kits, spyware, and adware. Like human diseases, a malware or damaging software may have various different effects to the system; it can come as small annoyance such as the continuously pop-up windows up to more harmful effects such as total computer shut down or even identity theft. It is important to defend your device and prevent them from entering with some small steps.

To prevent these malwares from snitching to your computers, the first thing you can do is to have a smart online behavior. If a web is offering something that seems too good to be true, it might be too good to be true. Don’t solely believe in good-sounding offers especially those you don’t really understand. It can come in form of a website asking you to install a program in order to get free access to a page, a promo, or simply to get you through a video that you have been looking for. It can come also in form of an email with attachment or link—both from your people you know or a website. Be sure you read the email carefully; is it written with typos? Does your friend suddenly sound super-cold or super-warm? Does it request you to download or open something? If yes, then you can be suspicious. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Besides the two infections above, viruses can also be transferred through physical media. As you might know, some flash drives—that you perhaps lend from your friends—might contain some of these viruses. It’s always better to scan them first with security software.

Malware, like a bad flu, however careful you have been, can sneak up to your body system and catch you ill. You might need some medicine or vitamins to keep you fit and prevent all of them from coming. Same as the malware, with the right software, you can keep them out from your devices. One thing you can do is to always use an updated operating system. You can opt for automatic updates to assure you always have the most updated system with you. The same also works with your browser, make sure you have the current one to prevent infection.

It is also always good to install antivirus software. Make sure you have one from any credible software marketing firm and schedule to run a scan at least once a month. Be sure you don’t run two antivirus programs as they can ‘fight’ with each other and cause a system chaos. There are also anti-malware applications and firewalls that basically protect your computer from any suspicious sites or programs.

Last but not least—and one of the easiest things to do—is to filter the spam from your inbox. This would automatically put all spam aside from your normal safe emails, making it easier for you to browse your emails. If the filtering done by your email program is not sufficiently filtering the spam, consider extra spam filtering software.