What is one effective preventive measure against malware?

Regularly updating and patching the operating system is a highly effective preventive measure against malware. Software developers routinely release updates to address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. By keeping the operating system and applications up to date, users can protect their systems from known security flaws that malware could take advantage of. Updates often include security patches that help to fortify defenses, making it significantly more difficult for malware to infiltrate and cause harm.

In contrast, installing software without checking its sources can introduce malicious programs into a system, while avoiding anti-malware tools leaves systems unprotected against various threats. Turning off automatic scans diminishes the ability to detect and eliminate malware proactively, which can lead to infections going unnoticed. Overall, regular updates and patches play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of systems against malware threats.