Computer users today face a never-ending array of threats from those who are trying to steal their data and/or identities as well as from those who are spying on every action that they take on the Internet. With all these diverse threats, it can be difficult to know exactly how to keep your computer safe, especially as no one tool protects you against everything.

In this article, we will describe the 5 best tools for providing comprehensive protection of your computer.

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1. Antivirus Software

The most important thing that you can do to protect your computer is install the best antivirus software you can. The developers of antivirus programs keep abreast of all the latest viruses and how to combat them, and they constantly update their programs to protect your computer from threats. Antivirus programs are also mostly nonintrusive and do not require any interaction from you on a day-to-day basis. They do all their work in the background.

Keep in mind that, after you install an antivirus program, you need to keep it updated. But you should be able to let the software do this automatically.

2. A Firewall

Firewalls and antivirus software are grouped together so often that many computer users may believe that they are synonymous. But this is not true. They are two separate tools that perform two separate and equally important functions. While antivirus software scans files on your computer for viruses and other forms of malware, a firewall scans Internet data coming into and out of your computer for threats and attacks.

Today, many operating systems, such as the latest edition of Microsoft Windows, include a firewall. But there are a lot of other options available as well.

3. A Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN protects your computer by encrypting and routing your Internet data through other computers to prevent others from accessing it. This is particularly important when using wireless connections such as public Wi-Fi, as criminals can employ a variety of methods to read data that is coming into and out of your computer. A VPN also hides your IP address, so websites cannot trace where you are located and invade your privacy.

NordVPN is a good example of a VPN with, particularly strong security features.

4. Antimalware Software

Because a virus is a form of malware, many people assume that antivirus software will protect them against all forms of malware. But this is not necessarily true, as there are sophisticated forms of malware that antivirus programs cannot detect. This includes certain phishing attacks and many forms of spyware as well as new and innovative strains of malware. Antimalware software can not only detect these types of malware, but they also include advanced tools to remove them.

You can look at antimalware software as an insurance policy for your antivirus software. It is an extra layer of protection that just may be the difference in preventing an attack.

5. A Privacy Browser

Not all threats against your computer come from criminals. Advertisers often invade your privacy when you browse the Internet, by tracking the sites that you visit so that they can better sell you things. To regain your privacy, you should install a privacy browser. This can mean installing an entirely different browser from the one that you may be using, such as the latest version of Firefox. Or it can mean installing an extension to your current browser, such as Ghosterly.

In conclusion, keeping your computer safe in a world of endless threats requires you to take a proactive approach to security. You can accomplish this by installing the tools outlined here onto your computer.

Written By Colin Cohen

Suggest reading: What Are The 12 Best Browsers For Privacy And Security In 2020?