How to avoid computer viruses

Computer viruses can wreak havoc on your day, leading to lost data, compromised security, and significant downtime. If you've ever faced a virus-infected PC, you’ll know the frustration of dealing with that dreaded grey screen. You'll often need hours, if not days, to become operational again.

Added to this, the recent large-scale adoption of AI has created lots of new opportunities for hackers. Among other things, AI offers the possibility of self-learning viruses, which can adapt and spread with unprecedented success.

Thankfully, there are some tried-and-tested ways of avoiding most viruses. Here are some practical tips for detecting and preventing computer viruses and dealing with them once they're there.

In this article:

• Tips for preventing computer viruses
• Understanding computer viruses
• How to remove a virus
• Summary

Tips for preventing computer viruses

Typically, computer viruses work because individuals or companies are not following best practices. Here are some tips to avoid them:

1. Always, always, have a backup

Why it’s important: Think of a backup as your safety net. If a virus corrupts your files, having one means you can restore your system quickly without losing critical data.

How to do it: Back up your files regularly with external hard drives, cloud storage, or network-attached storage (NAS). Make sure your backup solution runs automatically to minimize the risk of losing recent data.

2. Only download software from trusted sources

Why it’s important: So many viruses spread through infected software downloads. Downloading programs from untrusted sites can expose your system to malware.

How to do it: Always download software directly from the official website or a reputable third-party platform, such as the App Store or Google Play. Avoid freeware sites that bundle additional software, which are often malicious.

3. Be cautious of email attachments

Why it’s important: Email is a common vector for malware or phishing attacks. Opening an infected attachment can unleash a virus (and havoc) on your computer system.

How to do it: Make sure to verify the sender before opening any email attachments. Be wary of unexpected emails, even from known contacts.

Related reading: How to protect yourself from phishing and social engineering

4. Disable image previews in your email client

Why it’s important: Some computer viruses spread through image previews. Turning this feature off adds an extra layer of security.

How to do it: Change your email client's settings to turn off automatic image loading. Only manually approve images from trusted senders.

5. Use an anti-malware solution

Why it’s important: Anti-malware software can detect, quarantine, and remove viruses before they cause significant damage.

How to do it: Choose a reputable anti-malware solution and make sure that it's always running. Schedule regular full-system scans and always update the software with the latest virus definitions.

6. Use a firewall

Why it’s important: A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and potential threats from the internet.

How to do it: Enable the built-in firewall on your operating system or use a third-party firewall. Configure it to block unauthorized access and monitor for suspicious activity.

7. Regularly update your OS and software

Why it’s important: Updates often include security patches that protect against newly discovered threats. This means skipping updates leaves you exposed to new threats.

How to do it: Enable automatic updates for your operating system and all installed software programs. If there aren't any automatic updates, check for and install software updates manually.

8. Monitor all devices proactively

Why it’s important: Viruses can spread quickly across devices. Keeping all devices secure ensures a safer overall environment.

How to do it: Use device monitoring tools to check for disabled firewalls, outdated software, and inactive antivirus solutions. Regularly review security settings on all connected devices.

Related reading: Endpoint management: a definitive guide

9. Use administrator rights

Why it’s important: Administrator rights can prevent unauthorized changes to your system, including those attempted by malware.

How to do it: Restrict administrative privileges to trusted users. You should need an admin password for all significant system settings or software installation changes.

Related reading: Password safety is evolving; can your business keep up?

10. Pay attention to virus warnings and notifications

Why it’s important: Ignoring antivirus warnings can lead to severe infections and data loss.

How to do it: Act immediately on any alerts from your antivirus software. Run a full system scan and follow the recommended steps to neutralize any detected threats.

11. Contact your IT department

Why it’s important: Early intervention can prevent a virus from spreading across a network.

How to do it: Immediately report suspicious activity or potential virus infections to your IT department. They can take steps to isolate and remove the threat.

12. Remove the virus properly

Why it’s important: By making sure the virus is totally gone, you will keep your system clean and prevent re-infection.

How to do it: Disconnect from the internet, boot into safe mode, and run a full system scan with your antivirus software. Follow the software's instructions to remove any detected viruses. If necessary, restore your system from a clean backup.

By following these strategies, you’ll be well placed to stay safe from most computer viruses. Get more tips by reading our comprehensive IT security handbook.

Understanding computer viruses

What are computer viruses?

A computer virus is a type of malware designed to replicate and spread to other programs or files, causing all kinds of damage. Unlike other malware types, viruses, like running an infected file, require a host program and human intervention to spread.

Examples of computer viruses