How can you protect your computer from unsafe downloading?

Answer 1

This is a very difficult question to answer since the concept of computer security is a very complex one and there are multiple ways that bad things can get on your computer but I will give you the following pieces of advice to make your computer experience more safer.

1) Install both antivirus and antimalware programs on your computer.

The biggest threat to your computer's stability is no longer Computer Viruses, but malicious or bad software. Antivirus and more importantly anti-malware software can be set up to scan your computer for viruses and malware and delete them. Microsoft Security Essentials is a solid free antivirus program. And Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a solid free anti-malware program, that you may wish to pay for in order to get a more improved level of protection.

2) Be careful of what you install.

Whenever you get a pop up window asking if it's safe for changes to be made to your system, you are essentially giving that program permission to change whatever it wants on your computer. If its a bad program it will do bad things to your computer.

Some programs will 'piggyback' onto other free programs. Whenever you install a free program, check to make sure that it's not trying to install additional software like toolbars and other programs. If it is, and it gives you the option to NOT install this software, then by all means take it up on the option and do not install the extra software. The extra software generates revenue for the program creator but can degrade your computing experience.

3) Browsers and Extensions

Many people simply use whatever web browser that their computer came with (e.g. internet Explorer). And some prefer a different web browser. Internet Explorer is not a good browser for avoiding bad software. Firefox and Chrome are good alternative browsers. And Firefox has several good extensions that can be downloaded for it that will help you to avoid malware. WOT (Web of Trust) and Adblock Plus are good extensions. Adblock plus will prevent you from falling victim to fake download buttons, and WOT will tell you if the website you are on is hosting bad software, or if a link you will click on will take you to a place where you may catch malware.

4) Limited User Accounts

It is possible to create extra user accounts on your machine that do not have permission to install software. This is good if you are extra worried about security and it's a good option to pursue if you have children or visitors who you worry may unwittingly install bad software onto your computer.