How to Avoid Getting a Virus When Visiting a Web Page

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(3 Ratings)

There is nothing more frustrating than getting a virus when visiting a Web page. It can absolutely debilitate, debunk and discombobulate you and your computer. Handling viruses and eliminating them from your computer can be costly, time consuming and can even necessitate reformatting your hard drive. To avoid getting a virus when visiting a Web page, follow these steps.

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Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Anti-virus software
Internet connection
Computer

Step 1

Get anti-virus protection. There are several fairly effective ones available for free, and a top-notch anti-virus program can be purchased for around $40.
Step 2

Enable your firewall. Most operating systems have a firewall already, but if yours does not, make sure to get anti-virus software that does.
Step 3

Keep your anti-virus software updated by visiting the Web site and accepting any automatic updates that it suggests you download or that it tries to download automatically.
Step 4

Run regular virus scans to make sure that you haven’t unknowingly gotten a virus while visiting a Web site. This will help nip any viral problems in their electronic bud.
Step 5

Avoid suspicious Web sites or links in emails. There is little protection to be had if you willingly put your computer in this kind of risk.
Step 6

Consider avoiding Internet Explorer. It is targeted by many people who write viruses because so many people use it.

Tips & Warnings

If you do contract a virus, your anti-virus program will likely identify it. If it can’t clean it for you, then do an Internet search for the name of the virus and find other ways to handle it.
Don’t enable more than one firewall or run more than one anti-virus program at a time. They will clash and make your computer slower.