We believe it is in the past few years that people became so concerned about computer safety and security — obviously due to the various number of digital attacks that we’ve seen in the period. Earlier, people used to believe that viruses were the only dangerous thing in the world. Then came the hackers, who found most exploits in software and started stealing data and demanding ransom. And, we must not forget to mention ransomware, which made it to headlines in the past year. Not only did ransomware affect a huge number of devices but also retrieved a huge amount of money from victims. It all comes down to the notion that you’re now somewhat compelled to take some serious precautions when it comes to computer safety.
While there are multiple ways to retrieve your data and device post-attack, let’s stick onto the point that prevention has better effects than cure. In this article, however, we have curated 10 ways to keep your computer safe and secure from viruses and hackers. Please keep in mind that these ways alone are not going to help you out. If you can work according to these steps — at least the major ones —, you have a better chance at staying away from hackers and the other types of attackers. Shall we start?
#1. Antivirus and Anti-Malware Security
There was a time when a standard antivirus program was enough for your security. But, just anti-virus suite is not enough nowadays, because the world of threats has gone wild. If you want ideal security for your PC or Mac, we recommend running the dual setup of antimalware and antivirus security. For instance, you can run an antivirus program from Total AV and a popular anti-malware suite like Malwarebytes. So, even if your antivirus program fails to detect a particular type of malware, the anti-malware suite will help you for sure.
#2. Care When you Share
Just keep in mind that data is so important than you think. On surface, your internet banking username and password are just two bunches of characters but they mean so much. Similarly, every bit of data that you share has some significance in the long run. So, in order to make sure that your data is not being misused, it is recommended that you know where you share things. For starters, whenever you share something like a password or banking details, make sure that the page is HTTPS.
#3. Enable Firewall
A firewall is something that can protect your computer from unwanted and unsafe connections, at the basic level. There are a few other things a firewall can do, depending on the one you’re using. So, it doesn’t matter which type of firewall you are using, Firewall must be enabled in your computer. This is a great way to keep your computer away from digital attacks from most instances. On the basic level, you can keep yourself safe while connected to a public network.
#4. Keep Things Updated
As far as your computer safety and security is concerned, you should keep everything updated. By the term ‘everything’, we mean your OS and Software mainly. This will make sure that your PC is safe from at least a huge number of identified threats. In case you forgot, most developers release patches and updates if there is a recognized threat or loophole. By installing OS-level updates — Windows Update, for instance — and software-level updates, you can prevent many virus and hacking attacks.
#5. Care What you Open
Whenever you open something from external sources, you should be careful. Here, external sources refer to two things in general — removable media and the Internet. To put in simple words, you should know what you are downloading and opening from the internet. Depending on the content you want, try to choose an authentic source. Similarly, when it comes to accessing content from USB drives and other sources, do make sure you have scanned the drive before opening.
Read more: https://www.techlila.com/secure-your-computer/#ixzz53LyOSJ5l