5 Tips to Protect Your Computer from Viruses and Hackers

There are so many things you need to keep your computers safe from; hackers, viruses, trojans, malware, spyware, and adware are always ...

There are so many things you need to keep your computers safe from; hackers, viruses, trojans, malware, spyware, and adware are always out there looking to break into your computer and cause harm. But, that’s alright. You can still keep your computer and your data safe. All you have to do is follow the points I have laid out below. Keep reading!

5 Tips to Protect Your Computer from Viruses and Hackers

1. Keep the Operating System and Apps Up to Date

How often do we ignore the system update notification that we get on our operating system? It is common to think that such updates are useless or probably of little use. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes we can make as far as security is concerned. Operating systems are built with internal security features that try to keep your computer out of harm’s way. But, the malware evolves regularly for stronger, more damaging attacks. To counter such attacks, the operating systems need to plug in the security holes from time to time. This is why they keep sending the updates every now and then. The next time you see an update notification, acknowledge it and make your OS up to date.

That goes for other important apps, such as browsers, too that could be the gateway to your system for malicious programs. Some browsers update in the background without you getting to know about them. Google Chrome is one such browser. It is always up to date and you don’t even see any notification. Some browsers notify you of the updates. Firefox is one of them. Just make sure that browsers and all other apps that use the internet are updated regularly.

2. Install Antivirus Software

Don’t let the operating system fight the lone battle, for it may lose despite the efforts. There are programs specially designed to take care of malware attacks. They are called antivirus software. In the modern digital world, it has become imperative to have an antivirus program installed on your computer. And not just your PC, but it is also important to have them on your tablet and phone. For instance, there are antivirus programs specifically for iPad virus protection. The viruses have evolved themselves in line with the advancing internet technology. Antiviruses are equipped to handle these viruses. They provide more security than the in-built security tools of an OS. You can even download the free antivirus software on your computer if you don’t want to pay. But, always have an additional layer of security with these programs.

Another important thing is to keep your antivirus up to date. The virus definitions change and this is why the antivirus must be up to date with it. If there is a new virus, the antivirus must have a way to offer protection. When you are prompted for an antivirus update, make sure you go along with it.

And, if you are looking for more enhanced security, buy internet security instead. The best internet security software does everything that an antivirus can and much more. It will monitor your online activities as well and prevent you from falling prey to harmful websites.

3. Select Strong Passwords

Remember that automated viruses are not the only threats. There are hackers too who may try to sneak into your system and steal valuable information. The pro hackers have the skills to beat even the advanced encryption technologies. Thankfully, not all hackers are as skilled. Most of them rely on you choosing easy-to-guess passwords so that they can easily crack into your data. This is why it is extremely important to set passwords that are hard to crack and harder to guess.

When you are setting a password, do not choose something very obvious, such as the name of your family member or a birthday. Also, use the combination of numbers, special characters, and letters while creating a password. It would be a good idea to use a random phrase for the password that cannot be related to you. If the phrase is too long, you can use the acronym of the phrase.

Another important thing is to have a unique password for each account you use online. Use a different password for Facebook, Instagram, Email clients,s, etc. This way, even if the hacker cracks the password for one service, they will not be able to break into another. You may also use a password manager to remember all your passwords.

4. Where Are You Shopping?

Online shopping is extremely common. Billions of dollars are transacted every day through eCommerce portals. While online shopping is largely safe, there are still many threats. This is why it is important to stick to renowned and recognized shopping websites. If you haven’t heard of a website, that is asking for your credit card details, avoid it.

It is also a good idea to use one of the best internet security software programs for enhanced online protection.

5. Back Up Your Data

Last but definitely not least is backup. Keep your important data backed up and if possible somewhere offline so that even if your computer is hacked, your data remains safe. You can use the external hard drive for this purpose. However, if you plan on using it only for a short time, consider a secure hard drive shredding service afterward to ensure the data is gone and avoid any breaches. You can also try cloud storage, which is also widely considered safe and commonly used.

Conclusion:

It is better to be safe than sorry. It is a phrase often repeated in the digital world. Our computers have advanced but they have also become more vulnerable owing to the round-the-clock connectivity to the internet. But, when you follow the above points, you will be able to keep your computer or laptop safe and secure.