With 90% of the US population now using the internet, it’s no wonder cybercrime is on the rise. In fact, cybercrime is now the fastest-growing criminal activity in the country.

The use of malicious software (AKA malware) is one of the most common types of cybercrimes. In fact, in 2019 alone, a single cybersecurity firm found 24.6 million new malware types.

That said, it’s in your best interest to prioritize malware prevention. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting hacked and having sensitive data stolen. You might even lose money if cybercriminals get into your banking accounts. Ready to learn the best strategies when it comes to preventing malware?

Then let’s dive right into it

1. Change Your Password Now

A 2019 study found that 23.2 million people who got hacked used the password “123456”. Another 7.7 million hack victims used “123456789”, while 3.6 million used “password”.

These are the passwords that will no doubt leave you vulnerable to malware attacks. Hackers can guess these passwords with their eyes closed, and once they do, they can send malware your way. For instance, they can remotely operate your computer to install these malicious files.

So, as soon as you’re done reading this, change your passwords to less-hackable ones. Your new passwords should be no shorter than eight characters. It’s best to use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, as well as special characters.

2. Update Every Software You Have ASAP

One study found that 20% of high-risk cybercrimes targeted devices with outdated software. Many of the victims also had software with missing patches, which is likely due to a lack of updates.

That said, get and install every update for all software programs that you have in your device. This will help prevent malware from finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated apps.

3. Get Extra Phishing and Spam Filters

Cybercriminals deliver as much as 94% of malware through email. As if that’s not enough, 30% of phishing emails get to bypass basic security protocols.

Although many of these emails are easy to detect as phishers, some look quite legit. If you make the mistake of opening the links in these emails, you’re likely to end up a malware victim.

Phishing and spam filters can fish out phishing emails that get past basic security. The fewer risky emails you encounter, the lower your malware attack risks will be.

4. Invest in a Solid Malware Prevention and Protection App

Many anti-malware apps are free, but these unpaid versions often lack features. They may only be able to safeguard your devices from known malware types. However, they may not have the technology to detect new malware types.

If you have a lot of sensitive data in your device, it’s best to invest in a paid anti-malware app. This way, you can enjoy a higher level of security. Besides, there are SharewareDiscounts that can help you save when buying malware protection.

Follow These Tips to Avoid Malware and Keep Them Away From Your Gear

There you have it, some of the best malware prevention tricks to help you stay digitally secure. Be sure to follow these as soon as you can, seeing as up to 360,000 new malicious files are born each day.

Ready for more hacks to protect you from malware? Then be sure to check out the other posts we have under the Tech section!