Can you imagine losing the photos from your honeymoon, the thesis you've been working on for years, or that document you need to deliver to your boss as soon as possible? If your computer is not protected, it's possible that one day, instead of imagining it, you'll experience it first hand. To avoid this, there's computer security, and today, we're going to tell you how to protect your computer.
Loss, damage or theft of files or computer programs is not only a risk for individuals, but also for companies. The consequences of not having your computers properly protected can be irreversible, so let's look at some tips to avoid falling into the trap of cybercrime.
Computer security measures
Update your software . Although it may seem very basic, not all users do it. Keeping your programs updated is the first step to improve your computer's computer security. This is because malware (malicious programs) will try to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of the programs you have installed on your computer to student data carry out an attack. Therefore, instead of thinking "what a pain, I have to update the operating system again," update it. If there are updates available, there must be a reason, don't you think?
Manage your passwords carefully. Passwords are specifically designed to protect the accounts or personal profiles we have on different websites. Creating strong passwords with high levels of security that are difficult to crack is just as important as having different passwords and changing them frequently.
Forget about entering your date of birth, your children's date, all zeros or all ones, among others, if you want to avoid cyber attacks. To manage them correctly, you can use programs such as Dashlane, KeePass or PasswordSafe.
Be careful with public WiFi networks . Do you see a sign that says 'free WiFi' and immediately connect to it? We're not going to tell you not to do it, but you should take extreme precautions because they continue to be one of the most used channels by cybercriminals to steal data.
When you connect to any of these networks, do not access your personal data and do not make purchases, transfers, payments, etc. It is preferable to use your data (3G or 4G) than to have your personal information stolen.
Make backups . You can automate this process and forget about it. Only in this way will you be guaranteed access to the information you have on your computer in the future. You can make backups on an external hard drive or, for example, in the cloud.
Install viruses and a firewall . Another computer security measure is to have a powerful antivirus. Whether free or paid, having an antivirus installed on your computer will keep you alert to possible malware and suspicious websites. As for the firewall, activate it. It will protect your computer from unauthorized access.
Don't download suspicious files . If you receive an email from a recipient you don't know and they're inviting you to download an attachment, be suspicious! And don't download it if the recipient is a friend or acquaintance, but you don't know what they're sending you. It's better to ask them before you download it.