Bad Habits to Avoid On PCs
Computer viruses are a fact of life when it comes to PC usage. The problems are only assuaged by how computer owners operate their machines. Not being careful and properly maintaining a system could leave it open to more attacks than carefully using a machine. Tom’s Guide presented habits to avoid when using a PC that can keep it free of a computer virus.
Not installing updates is the first and foremost bad habit in computer security. Regular prompts wanting to install the latest version of Flash or PDF Reader, or even those pesky Windows Updates, leave a PC more vulnerable to malware.
Going hand-in-hand with not installing updates is not clearing out old update files. These files can hang around after the new version is uploaded. Hackers can then attack the vulnerabilities in the old program code and install a virus through it.
The double-click culture is also something to move away from. Many times computer users will aimlessly select any link, file or program, most of which are malicious viruses. Piracy can also be a great way for computer hackers to gain access to a system. Getting that new Coldplay song for free may sound like a good idea, but is often a way to infect a system.
Should PC Owners Pay for Antivirus Protection?
There is often debate in computer circles about whether or not to pay for antivirus software. There are free options out there, but can they be trusted? My Digital FC contributor Payal Dhar discussed the differences of the two possibilities and why paying for software is the better option.
While trusted free antivirus programs may give users the same detection capabilities that the paid programs do, they don’t offer the same abilities to get rid of the viruses or scan computers for possible malicious attacks before they happen. Also, paid software updates the virus database on a regular basis so it can scan for more threats as they are recognized.
The antivirus software built into System Mechanic Pro has been evolving and refining its advanced heuristics for nearly two decades. System Mechanic Pro is an antivirus/anti-malware solution that regularly and automatically updates to catch the latest threat definitions, maintaining an ever-expanding roster of specific malware signatures and suspicious behaviors to help keep your PC secure.
