One of the most common methods of malware entry is when using the browser. For example, through Chrome or Firefox, we can make mistakes and that means the entry of malicious software. In this article we are going to give some essential tips to avoid downloading viruses with the browser . We are going to explain what you should keep in mind to maintain security and privacy at all times when browsing the net.
What to do to avoid downloading viruses by mistake
Malware can seriously compromise your devices. There are many varieties. Some are designed to steal information, others passwords, others will cause everything to start to malfunction… Whatever the case, it is always a good idea to keep your computer in good condition. To achieve this, it is essential to avoid downloading viruses with the browser.
Be careful with the links
The first thing to keep in mind is to avoid making mistakes. You must be careful with any link that could be dangerous . This is a very common means of virus entry from the browser, so you must be aware of the danger and maintain common sense at all times. After all, in most cases hackers are going to need you to make a mistake, so it’s important to be vigilant.
Through a fake link they could sneak you malware. For example if you enter a dangerous site and it has links to pages that contain malware. You could download a file that is actually fake and will run malicious software on your system. This is something that can happen regardless of the browser you use.
Do not download applications without verifying
Also, when downloading programs from the Internet it is common for viruses to sneak in. This happens when we download applications without verifying if they are really safe or not. It goes a bit in tune with what we mentioned about fake links. We could end up on a site that has been created only to distribute malware and download some program there.
It is important that whenever you download something, whether it is a program that you are going to install, a document that you are going to open or whatever, you verify the source well. In this way you can avoid many problems that will compromise your security and privacy. They could infect you with a virus without you realizing it.
Avoid abusing browser plugins
You could download a virus from the browser through fake extensions that you may have installed by mistake. In this case, those add-ons might start displaying bars at the top of Chrome or Firefox, showing pop-up ads or redirecting you to unsafe sites. It is what is known as adware and is a major problem for browsers.
What you should do is avoid installing too many plugins. There are many extensions available and they can help group tabs, read certain files, or even help with security. However, there are many that are not reliable, that have been designed solely to attack and therefore you must be very sure of what you are installing.
Control e-mail and social networks
Something very important and that you must control well is the electronic mail . Through the browser, you could open a fake email containing malware and download a virus by mistake. It is a widely used method for delivering malicious software. They can sneak a Trojan, ransomware, a keylogger to steal your passwords…
Something similar also happens with social networks . Platforms like Facebook or Twitter can be used to distribute malware. You must be careful with which users you add as contacts, which messages you open or links you can receive. There they could refer you to a false page and sneak a virus.
Use a warranty browser
Of course, it is important that you use a guaranteed, safe browser that does not pose a problem. Which one to use? The truth is that there is a wide range of options. For example Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari are some of the most popular and also safe. They are up-to-date and undergo continuous review.
The interesting thing here is that you avoid unknown browsers, which may even be fake. Always download them from safe sites and make sure they are updated correctly. In the case of Chrome, you can check it if you go to the menu at the top right, click on Help and click on Google Chrome Information . It will automatically show you which version you have and start updating if necessary.
Tips to protect your computer from malware
We have shown some important tips to avoid downloading viruses with the browser. However, that is not enough to be fully protected. For this reason, we are going to give some additional recommendations to maintain the security of the computer and thus avoid the entry of malware that could compromise its proper functioning.
security programs
You cannot miss having a good security program. Using an antivirus is essential to prevent the entry of malware. In case you click where you shouldn’t and download a virus, these types of programs could block that download or delete the file before it can compromise your computer.
You will find many antivirus available, both free and paid. Some options like Microsoft Defender, Avast or Bitdefender work very well. However, whichever you choose, you must inform yourself beforehand and make sure that it will fulfill its function. You can see comments from other users, ratings, etc.
keep everything up to date
You should also keep in mind the importance of keeping the system updated. On many occasions, vulnerabilities can appear that are exploited by hackers. These failures can be used to sneak in a Trojan, virus or simply cause a device to not work well.
Therefore, to prevent this from happening, you must install the latest versions at all times. In the case of Windows, to update it you can go to Start, enter Settings, Windows Update and there it will automatically start updating if there are files pending to be installed.
Avoid unofficial software
When you install a program on your computer or mobile, you must make sure that it is legitimate. Avoid installing unofficial software, as this can be the entry point for malware. You could get a virus through an application that you have downloaded from a third-party site, without guarantees, that you have found by chance browsing.
Always go to the official page of that program. Alternatively, you can use safe and reliable app stores , such as the Microsoft Store or Google Play. On these sites, the programs pass a security filter to detect possible irregularities. Although that does not mean that they are 100% safe, without a doubt you will have a higher probability.
Periodic revision
On the other hand, you must carry out a periodic review. Make sure your computer is up to date, your antivirus is working properly, and there’s nothing wrong with the programs you have installed. This will help you detect problems that could be used by attackers to sneak in viruses.
Follow the tips we’ve given, but don’t just focus on the browser; It is also important to protect all the equipment and carry out a periodic review to detect problems as soon as possible.
In short, as you can see, it is a major problem to accidentally download a virus through the browser. For this reason, it is always advisable to be prepared, to have everything updated, to use security programs and, in short, to be protected to avoid putting security and privacy at risk when browsing.
