viruses Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to fix common malware errors without losing your files

Posted on September 16, 2025

Malware errors literally freeze any computer session out of the blue. One should definitely notice warnings about possible infections or blocked programs, causing immediate worry not just about device security but also the safety of personal files. Photos, documents, and work data; that’s what’s at stake in case malware goes unresolved.

The problem for most users is that solving these problems sometimes feels like having to let the threat win or protect their files. Deleting the wrong item or using the wrong method can mean losing your data permanently, which is why malware errors have to also be attacked with strategies that eliminate threats while keeping the files intact. [Read more…]

How to make sure a downloaded file is safe before opening it (updated)

Posted on September 5, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Have you ever downloaded a file from the Internet and worried that it might be infected with malware?

That’s a real concern these days with all the malware that’s floating around the web.

It’s getting harder by the day to know exactly which sites to trust since malicious files are even making their way onto legitimate download sites.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to determine whether any file on your computer is malware-free or not by running a couple of simple scans. [Read more…]

This simple tip can help protect your computer from malware

Posted on September 1, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Unfortunately, in the Internet age, viruses and other forms of malware tend to spread like wildfires, and it’s getting harder by the day to keep your devices from getting infected by them.

That’s why it’s important to install a high quality antivirus program on your Windows computer, keep it updated at all times and perform a couple of on-demand malware scans on a regular basis.

Macs aren’t as likely to get infected with malware as Windows machines, but it’s happening more all the time. And when it does the results can be catastrophic, which is why I recommend that Mac users install Malwarebytes on their machines.

With all of the above being said, a little due diligence can go a long way towards keeping your machines safe as well. [Read more…]

Real-Time vs. On-Demand: Antivirus protection explained

Posted on August 16, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

I’ve been receiving questions from folks who are confused about the terms Real-Time and On-Demand in regards to antivirus protection, so I thought it might be helpful to explain the difference between them here.

Both real-time and on-demand antivirus protection are important for keeping your computer free of viruses and other forms of malware, but while they are closely-related, they operate in very different ways. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I tell if my computer has a virus?

Posted on July 21, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Question from Geneva: I keep reading about all the computer viruses going around and how they can cause you a bunch of problems.

I’m a complete dummy when it comes to this stuff, Rick. How can I find out if my computer is infected? [Read more…]