Safe Browsing and Downloads

Most of the time, simply visiting a reputable website is safe. The risks come from a smaller set of behaviors, and avoiding them removes most of the danger.

Be cautious about what you download and run. Malware most often arrives as an attachment you were urged to open or a program from an unofficial source. Download software only from the official site or a trusted app store, and be suspicious of any file that arrives unexpectedly, even from someone you know, since their account may be compromised.

Watch for fake sites. Attackers build convincing copies of login pages and lure you to them through links. Before entering any password, glance at the address bar and confirm you are on the genuine domain. Better still, let your password manager fill the login; it will refuse to autofill on a site that does not match, which is a quiet but powerful warning.

Keep your browser updated and consider a reputable content blocker, which reduces both tracking and the malicious ads that occasionally carry malware. And treat free downloads of paid software, pirated media, and too-good-to-be-true offers as high-risk; they are classic delivery routes for hidden malware. Caution about what you open and where you type your password covers the large majority of everyday browsing risk.