Although computers come with their own security software, sometimes they are not enough to ward off bound and determined hackers, scammers and identity thieves from stealing your personal information. This is a fact of life in the digital age. Scary as this may sound, you do not have to give up on the Internet altogether so as not to fall prey against these malicious elements. With the right tools and tweaks in your computer, you can ward off these digital offenders. Here are some simple steps you can do to fortify your PC.
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Have a powerful security software in place
The easiest ways for hackers to sneak into your online accounts and eventually take over your computer’s system is through a virus. When your computer gets infected, it is easy for hackers to cause chaos, such as delete your files, steal your personal information, etc. So to defend your PC against viruses, worms, Trojans and other malicious programs, you need to have a powerful software security in place.
There is a lot of premium options that you can purchase for certain costs. However, protection doesn’t have to be expensive. There are numerous security software available online that you can download for free. Some of the best ones include Avast!, AVG AntiVirus, Avira AntiVir Personal, Outpost Firewall, Zone Alarm, SpywareBlaster, Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy and Malwarbytes just to name a few.
Set passwords that aren’t easy to break
There are hackers who won’t bother infecting your PC with virus. Some of them simply prefer to use sophisticated programs capable of guessing account passwords. And once they have one of your accounts, they can easily make their way into your other accounts. In such case, the best protection you have is to use not just difficult-to-guess passwords but to assign one different password for every account you have.
The same thing goes with your PC. You will never know when someone is going to break into your home and attempt to access your data. So it pays to password-protect your computer. Always stick with a long password as it is harder to crack. It should be a minimum of 8 characters, with a combination of numbers, symbols and letters.
Don’t take security questions lightly
The passwords you use as well as your security software will be rendered useless if the answers to the security questions in your accounts are easy. Hence, pay attention to how you fill up those security questions. Your best bet is to go for random answers or a string of random characters, making them hard to remember. Consider it as though you are adding another password to your account.
Keep your network in check
If you have multiple computers at home and you use a network to connect all of them to the Internet, beware that this single network can be a magnet for hackers. They can simply sneak into your network and relentlessly gather all your information, including the details you transfer from one PC to another. To avoid that from happening, protect your home network. Encrypt it and regularly check your network for unauthorized users, then lock them out. It is also wise to make a unique SSID and a separate Wi-Fi network for guests.
Be mindful of your computer activities
All of the aforesaid things will be good-for-nothing if you are not mindful of your computer activities. Keep in mind that hackers always reinvent their methods of attack almost everyday and if you are not vigilant, they can attack right under your nose without you noticing it. So always be careful with the sites you open online. And remember, no amount of passwords, security software and setting changes will replace watchful eyes.
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