When it comes to keeping your Mac free of viruses, there are a number of free and paid tools available for you to use. While some paid options can provide protection, the best option to make sure you are safe is to work with a paid option that will really kick the malware and viruses out. Some of the tips you can use to keep your Mac free of viruses include:
Do a Routine Check of Your Computer
Do not wait until you think there is a virus on your computer. Consider checking it out once a week. This will help you to find the viruses early on, long before they can start to cause problems with your computer. And many paid antivirus programs can take a look to see if other things could be slowing your computer down. Look into some of these issues to speed up your computer and keep it safe to use.
Pay Attention to Your Browsing Habits
Unsecure websites may look like they will provide good information, but they are the most common way that your Mac will get a virus on it. Just one visit to these sites could take a big toll on your Mac. Most companies and blogs will use a secure certificate to protect you, so there is no reason to continue using one that is not safe. Before visiting any new site, look at the URL to make sure it has an SSL certificate. This simply means that it starts with “https” instead of “http”.
Be Careful When Installing Software
Even if it promises to be the newest game that you have wanted for years, be careful when installing new software. Many viruses will hide in software installation and it is hard to catch them until it is too late. To make sure that your computer does not become a victim to a Trojan horse virus that will let a hacker right into the computer, be careful to only download and install software from sources you trust.
For example, when you choose an antivirus software, pick one that comes directly from the distributors website, rather than another version that is offered. This will make sure you get a legitimate copy of the software and that your computer will stay safe.
Do All the Updates
Updates can be a pain. They always need to be done at the worst times, like when you need to get that big project done for work. But these updates are important for keeping your system safe from viruses. With an older operating system or older software, hackers have time to find all the bugs and issues inside. They can then exploit this and send viruses through.
These updates help to prevent this problem. They will provide patches to some of the bugs that are found in the software, blocking the entrance of those viruses and any other malicious things that may try to get on the computer. If you do need to delay the update, write it down on your schedule so it gets done as soon as possible.
Disable or Remove Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash used to be a great tool to use online, but over time it has been used more as an attack vector to Mac computers. Macs are no longer shipped with this tool because it is a battery hock that has brought around too many security breaches. However, if you use sites that need Flash for games and videos, consider keeping this program on your computer, but use a Flash block plugin so that it will only work if you allow it for individual websites. This can allow you to use it without harming the computer.
Viruses are a common problem with any kind of computer you decide to use. Being careful with your browsing habits and paying attention any software that you try to download will make a different. A good antivirus software will ensure that your computer is kept safe, and there are a number of free and paid tools that will help you do that. Read reviews and shop around to find the right tools for you to keep those viruses away.
