Computers
are used today for a number of tasks, whether it’s financial, professional or
social. We use our computers for shopping online, paying bills, communicating
with friends and family via email and social network sites, research specified
topics on the internet, and so much more.
We
depend greatly on our systems to provide us with these services, yet one thing
that we overlook is the security of our computers. Because computers play such
a massive role in our lives today, with all the sensitive information that we
put on them, it becomes imperative that we consider the security of these
systems.
Below
are 9 ways that you can make your system more secure:
1. Connect To a Secure Network
The
moment you connect to the internet, your computer is immediately connected to
millions of other systems on the web. This makes your computer vulnerable to
attacks from these other users. Information on the web flows to your computer,
first by coming from your router to your computer. Although your data
connection type and internet service provider all provide some level of
security, it’s important that you ensure that your computer is secure.
2. Install an Antivirus Program
Install
a good antivirus program on your computer and keep it up-to-date as it is a
very important component of safeguarding your computer. There are many
different brands of antivirus scanners, all with their own pros and cons, so
you’ll need to do your own research to determine which is best for you.
Antivirus
tools use virus definitions, which are updated by the vendor in order to detect
and remove malicious files. These vendors are constantly creating new virus
definitions, which are used to keep the antivirus tool effective, and able to
detect the latest malware. Most antivirus tools you’ll find today, offer
automated updating. So make sure that feature is enabled, before you do
anything else on your computer.
3. Follow Best Security Practices
There
are several things that you can do right now, in order to improve the security
of your system. These are the following:
·
Be
very wary of attachments in emails, along with any links you are unfamiliar
with. Do not open any attachments or click on any links, unless you know the sender
and were already aware that you would be receiving the link or email attachment
beforehand.
·
Be
very cautious when giving out sensitive information. Some websites may appear
legitimate on the surface but may in fact be phishing sites.
4. Keep Your System Up-To-Date
Always
make sure your system is up-to-date. It’s not uncommon to encounter a system
that has never been updated since the very first day it was purchased. Both
Apple and Microsoft are constantly rolling out updates for their operating
systems. These updates are very important for the security of your computer.
5. Don’t Visit Warez Sites
Be
very cautious of the sites that you visit while surfing the internet. Many of
these websites may be infected with malicious files that get onto your system
to moment you visit them. Some of these sites host malicious files in place of
legitimate files, so also consider the things that you are downloading from
these sites, and always make sure you’re antivirus scanner is up-to-date.
6. Disable Unnecessary Services
Consider
disabling nonessential services. In order to successfully do this, you will
need to review the various features that are enabled by default. Once you have
worked out what you can disable and what you cannot, I suggest you go ahead and
disable those services that you simply do not use in your day to day activities
on your system.
7. Enable a Firewall
The
firewall is essential software that controls the flow of data on your computer.
It determines what comes on your computer from the internet. Most operating
systems today come with software firewall built in. In addition to the built in
firewall, you should also have firewall software built into your router.
Referring to your routers manual should help you enable it.
Once
the firewall has been enabled, you will need to learn how to use it to block
and allow specific ports and programs from accessing the internet and your
computer.
8. Never Leave Your System Unattended
I
suppose this one is more circumstantial than anything else, but it’s always
best practice to not leave your computer attended. My system at home is
constantly on, but I trust my family members enough to know that they would
never log into it and install a virus on it. However, the circumstances may be
different for you. Locking the screen, with a screen saver is rarely enough. I
suggest you consider encrypting your data, that way, only people who know your
log in details will be able to access all your personal files.
9. Use Complex Passwords and Keep Them
Safe
It’s
very easy for your password to be compromised. The reality is that you cannot
trust any website that you use a password on, as you have no idea what they are
doing with this sensitive information, thus, its best practice for you to use a
different password for every website that you make an account with. I know,
this can make life more difficult for yourself, but it’s the only way that you
can be fully secure.
--AUTHOR INFO—
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who
now runs his own computer support website http://www.compuchenna.co.uk
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