If you’re like most people, you probably know someone that has been affected by a computer virus. Worms, Trojans, viruses, bugs, and spyware are more than just nuisances. They’re also a dangerous compromise of your computer, your information, and your connectivity. If you want to protect your computer from coming in contact with these unpleasant hijacks, be sure to follow these five tips:

1. Invest in Protection

   The first step in keeping your computer – and information – safe is to invest in some solid anti-virus software. If you can, choose one that comes with a firewall, download protection, identity theft protection, and spyware prevention.

2. Scan, Scan, & Scan

   Avoid bigger problems by scanning your system, files, and downloads frequently. Oftentimes a virus caught early can prevent further damage.

3. Regular Updates

   Update your anti-virus software regularly to be sure that it’s detecting the most recent threats to your safety.

4. Avoid the Unknown

   Never open emails or download files from “untrustworthy” or unknown sites. Accidental downloads are probably the most common cause of contracting a computer virus. If it looks like spam, slows your computer, or seems suspicious, it’s best to just delete it and move on.

5. Back Up

   Back up your computer often. Should you catch a virus, having a backup can save you the time, hassle, and frustration of losing all of your files.