Q.List some preventive measures against malware infection.

This is a plain theory question — it asks you to list preventive measures, so the answer should be crisp bullet points with brief explanations, not a paragraph essay.

Preventive measures against malware infection:

• Install and update antivirus/anti-malware software — run regular scans and keep virus definitions current so new threats are detected.
• Keep the operating system and all applications patched — enable automatic updates to close security holes that malware exploits.
• Do not open email attachments or click links from unknown senders — phishing is a common malware delivery method.
• Download software only from official or trusted sources — avoid pirated software, cracked installers, and random pop-up downloads.
• Use a firewall — it blocks unauthorised incoming and outgoing network traffic.
• Avoid using removable media (USB drives, external disks) from unknown origins — scan them before opening.
• Disable macros in documents unless absolutely necessary — macro viruses spread through infected Office files. …

This is a plain theory question, so the answer is explanatory. The idea behind prevention is simple: malware needs a way in — a vulnerability, a user action, or a network hole. So every measure below either closes a door, or makes sure that even if something gets in, the damage is contained.

Keep everything updated. Operating systems, browsers, and applications all ship with security patches. When a vulnerability is found, the vendor fixes it in an update. If you don't install that update, the hole stays open. Turn on automatic updates wherever possible — this is the single most effective habit.

Use antivirus/anti-malware software and keep its definitions current. Antivirus scans files against a database of known malware signatures, and modern ones also use behavioural detection to catch new threats. But a scanner that hasn't been updated in six months is nearly useless — new malware appears daily, so the definitions must be refreshed regularly.

Be careful with email attachments and links. Most malware spreads through phishing — a fake email that looks legitimate, carrying a malicious attachment or a link to a poisoned website. Never open an attachment you weren't expecting, even from someone you know (their account may be compromised). Hover over a link to see the real URL before clicking.

Download software only from official sources. Pirated software, keygens, and "free" downloads from random sites are a classic malware vector. Stick to the vendor's own site or a trusted app store.

Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Many malware attacks (especially ransomware) start with stolen credentials. A password manager helps you use a different strong password for every account, and 2FA means a stolen password alone isn't enough.

Enable the firewall. The firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic. It blocks unsolicited connections from the internet, which stops many worms and remote-access trojans from ever reaching your machine.

Disable macros in Office documents. Many document-based malware payloads are delivered as macros — small embedded programs that run when you open the file. Modern Office versions disable macros by default; keep it that way unless you genuinely trust the document. …