Learn what to do to protect your computer from intruder attacks and information leakage with the tips in today’s article.
The fear of being infected by internet pests is increasingly common. The more the technology develops, the more things are done by personal computers, like paying bills, files with personal information.
Thus, hackers’ interest in breaking into systems also increases. Therefore, an emerging theme is the protection of data and computers through cybersecurity.
In today’s article, you will learn what cybersecurity is, why it is so important, have tips on how to protect your computer and the benefits of this practice. Look!
Table of Contents
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting information assets such as systems, computers, and servers among others against cyber threats or malicious attacks. Cybersecurity must be addressed at multiple levels from securing physical networks and applications to end-user education.
If before the Covid-19 pandemic we already lived in a connected world, the digital leap between 2020 and 2021 accelerated all estimates on the production and exchange of cyber data.
The home office and other distance work practices, such as collaborative and shared spaces, are here to stay and companies all over the planet have already expressed their intention to incorporate new service models and to keep their employees working, at least partially, from home.
On the other hand, cyber crimes and threats also grew dramatically. Hackers take advantage of the vulnerabilities of our electronic devices and the networks we use to carry out attacks that can cause untold damage.
How important is cybersecurity?
The theme has gained increasing importance given the growing number of attacks on people and companies of all sizes, demonstrating the vulnerability of the virtual world, which has a vast data network. Cybersecurity is already one of the main topics on the agenda of executives and leaders around the world.
In the Industry 4.0 era, cybersecurity is essential, as everything is connected and, more than ever, it is necessary to develop practices and mechanisms capable of eliminating and/or reducing risks and failures to defend against hackers and cybercriminals.
And a set of strategies is needed to act at various points in the value chain, being able to prevent, monitor, and defend companies, government organizations, and citizens against cybersecurity attacks.
Cyber attacks are carried out for different reasons and show that anyone is susceptible to these cybercrimes. A hacker can break into a network with intentions ranging from financial gain to state terrorism.
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1 . Check your Firewall
Checking your firewall might seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t. If you have a Windows-based system, just go into the control panel and type “firewall” into the search field. If your firewall is plugged in then you are ready to continue.
If you have a Mac, click on the Apple icon in the toolbar, go to “System Preferences”, “security” and finally “firewall”. Make sure you have your firewall turned on to keep cybercriminals out.
Also, if you don’t want your files to be visible on another computer, completely disable the option to share documents.
If you have difficulties with the modulation of your connection, you can search for an internet service near me and have access to information technology (IT) professionals who will help you.
2. Backup your data
Backing up your data protects your information in the event of a computer crash or electrical failure. It also helps if you fall prey to ransomware that encrypts your sensitive data.
You can back up manually by transferring important documents to an external hard drive or using a service. If you don’t have a significant amount of data to store, use a service like Dropbox, where you get 2GB of free storage.
Furthermore, a backup can also “save” you if you fall prey to ransomware or a hacker, which encrypts your confidential data. You can back up manually by transferring important documents to an external hard drive or using data storage and recovery service.
3. Stay away from dishonest websites
While it is difficult to know whether a web page is trustworthy or not, there are certain steps we can take to improve our identification skills. For example, look for a green lock on the navigation bar and the code prefix “HTTPS://” at the beginning of the URL when visiting sites where you need to enter your credit card details.
Be careful when shopping on websites abroad and do not click on links sent by email, this will lead to the website itself.
4 . Avoid offers that are too good to be true
If you see a product that is 90% off, like the Beatles cd collection, this could very well be a trap. Even worse, some sites are known to lure customers in with an incredible deal, and once they have your credit card information you’re never heard from again. The golden rule is: if it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably a lie.
5. Never disclose confidential information
No matter the size, always be careful with the type of information you provide. While it’s generally known, it never hurts to reiterate that you shouldn’t give out the credit card and social security details unless you trust the site completely. It’s also important to be careful with your social media profiles.
Revealing innocent information such as your pet’s name or mother’s maiden name could result in your identity theft as you use that same data on some other website for security verification.
6. Avoid opening emails from strangers
Never open an email from an unknown or suspicious source, and never open the attachments. Also be careful with strange emails sent from unknown people, as this contact’s account may have been hacked.
In that case, delete the message and notify him immediately that his account may have been compromised. This will help you avoid hacking and phishing scams, and get you targeted.
7. Create a strong password
Although it is something simple and fast, many people find it unnecessary to have a password to access the computer. However, this is one of the first and most important steps in ensuring your machine’s security.
If by any chance you forget your device somewhere or are in a place with many strangers around, all your data and information must be safe inside your machine. This way, avoid using easy passwords like 123456, abc123, qwerty, among others.
8. Keep your browsers and plugins up to date
The main means of input for a user on the internet is the browser. And regardless of whether you use Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Internet Explorer), Opera, or Safari, the truth is, if the application is out of date, your exposure to the dangers of the internet is the same.
So, be aware that you have the latest browser version installed is essential. That’s because such applications, as well as plugins and add-ons you use in a browser, may contain known security holes that are only fixed with updates.
9. Have a good antivirus installed
It may even seem redundant, but having a good antivirus on the machine is essential! It is through the security program that viruses and other types of malware are detected and deleted.
These digital pests can cause damage, sometimes irreparable to the computer, and serve as a gateway for cybercriminals (hackers), who steal information and files from users.
10. Enable Windows BitLocker
BitLocker is Microsoft’s encryption tool, available on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
Through it, you can encrypt your computer’s hard drive, protecting documents and files from unauthorized access. Upon activation, the system encrypts the information and prevents hackers from using it without entering the user-defined key.
Benefits of computer protection
In a world where cybercrime has become even more common, protecting your computer can have several benefits aimed at reducing the chances of intrusion, especially with the use of antivirus. So, check out the benefits of protecting this important device from personal use.
Security to take advantage of digital resources
Many no longer need to face bank lines because they have the internet banking of banking institutions on their cell phones, through which they make financial transactions and monitor their income. To take advantage of these and other digital resources, without the threat of losing data in cyberattacks, an antivirus may suffice.
Do you like to shop online? Your antivirus version can indicate when payment pages are suspicious, blocking access immediately. With this simple program, you can freely browse the internet with the security you need.
Data Fraud Prevention
Hackers can gain access to a person’s relevant information, such as passwords and bank account amounts, through viruses such as spyware and keyloggers. These are malware responsible for spying on devices and sending personal data to third parties. Quality antivirus can detect any strange processes that are happening in the background on your devices.
Technical support
Depending on the antivirus, the user can rely on technical experts in troubleshooting. This contact can be made by exchanging emails, for example. When the routine is busy and the user doesn’t have a lot of free time, having quality support makes the difference to keep data safe from attacks and leaks.
Antivirus companies typically specify some customer service information on their official websites, such as contact numbers and email addresses. It is common for the user to also find a list of frequently asked questions, which may resolve the issue more quickly.
Conclusion
Ensuring your computer’s protection is essential to prevent data leakage on the network. For this, you must follow these tips and look for quality and safe services such as Centurylink internet.
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