In today's society, everything we do is somehow intertwined through either our phone or computer. These devices hold our greatest secrets, important billing information, contacts, tax information, embarrassing photos, and our deepest thoughts, which is why we should always make sure this information is completely secure.
Hunt for Computer Threats
Technology provides us the ability to do practically everything in life from the comfort of our home. You can pay bills, purchase groceries, learn mandarin, teach mandarin, earn a pilot's license, book a flight, book a ticket, pay a ticket, and even buy or sell stocks. There are billions of cyber attacks a year, which is why by 2021; the global online crime cost is expected to reach over 5 trillion. As the hunt for computer threats intensifies, we have to continue to protect ourselves against not only hackers, but also malware, phishing viruses, worms, hijackers, spyware, and identity theft. Navigating the internet shouldn't be a scary process as long as you have the necessary tools to protect yourself. Here is a list of ways to make sure your computer is secure.
1. Use an Anti-virus and Firewall
If you want your computer to have the best security, you should definitely make sure you install some sort of anti-virus and firewall, which will help protect you against cyber threats. Before you go and download a generic anti-virus you found online, you should make sure it's a legitimate company that provides reliable security solutions. A majority of cyber security software will come equipped with a firewall and scanning software. If your operating system happens to come equipped with its own firewall, you should make sure it's always on; otherwise, it leaves your system vulnerable to attacks. A firewall will help prevent others from accessing your system without your authorization. For those of you who already have installed anti-virus software, you should always make sure your software and operating system are up to date.
2. Backup Your System or Create a Restore Point
When it comes to securing your computer, you should either back up your system or create a restore point. You might want to want to store information onto an external hard drive or back up your information using an online storage service. I strongly recommend storing your information onto an external hard drive or using a cloud service, which will provide you a way to quickly recover your information. If you choose to use an online storage service, make sure you choose an established company that offers security and features encryption capabilities.
3. Browse Safely
Most people do not take browsing the internet very seriously, which is why nearly 60% of all viruses usually access your system via your internet browser. You should make sure your browser is updated and only visit trusted sites to prevent your information from being stolen. You should also be sure to never click on any suspicious links, which could end up infecting your system with malware and only download files from sites that you're familiar with and installing a spam filter is always a good idea.
