Computer security is a serious concern for anyone who owns and operates a computer. Your computer could be hacked at any time, putting your sensitive information at risk. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your computer from hackers. There are many different ways that a hacker can get into your computer and access information that they shouldn’t have access to, but if you follow the advice in this article, you can significantly reduce your risk of being hacked. It may seem like an intimidating topic, but these tips are simple enough for anyone to follow. Whether you own a smartphone or laptop, it’s important to keep security top of mind when using computers and other devices connected to the Internet. Hackers aren’t just out to steal personal information like passwords anymore; they can now spy on you by accessing cameras and microphones on laptops and computers, as well as read private documents on phones through unencrypted apps with malware installed on them.
Change the Computer’s Username and Password
One of the easiest ways to protect your computer is by changing the computer’s username and password. Many people don’t bother to change the default username and password that comes with their computer, but they should. A hacker could break into your computer by correctly guessing your username and password. To protect yourself, change your username and password to something completely different from the default. It’s also a good idea to make sure your computer’s operating system is up to date. New operating systems often include important security updates that make it harder for hackers to break into your computer. If you’re on a work computer and don’t want to change the username and password out of fear of being fired, you should at least change your password as often as your company’s policy dictates. It’s a good idea to also change your computer’s login name as well. This is a much less common approach, and therefore much less likely to be attempted by hackers.
Turn on Your Computer’s Built-in Security Features
Many computers come with built-in security features, such as firewalls, anti-virus software, or other programs that protect your computer from viruses and hackers. A firewall is a program that protects your computer by identifying and blocking suspicious or malicious network traffic. You may have heard of firewalls being used on routers to prevent computer networks from being hacked, but computers have them as well. Many computers come with firewalls installed, but some don’t. If your computer doesn’t come with a firewall, consider turning it on. Similarly, many computers come with built-in anti-virus software. If your computer comes with malware protection, make sure it’s turned on. If your computer doesn’t come with anti-virus software, you can buy and install a program like Norton Security or McAfee VirusScan.
Install an Antivirus Program
As mentioned above, many computers come with built-in malware protection. However, some don’t, and even those that do often come with a very basic antivirus program. While basic malware protection is better than nothing, it’s not nearly good enough protection against the latest viruses and hackers. If you want the best protection against viruses and hackers, you should install an antivirus program on your computer. When choosing an antivirus program, make sure it’s from a trusted source, such as McAfee or Norton. You can also check out AV-Comparatives’s best antivirus report, which ranks the top antivirus programs for both home and business use.
Tighten Up Your Computer’s Firewall Settings
Like we just talked about, firewalls are a crucial part of computer security. However, most computers come with firewall settings that are far too permissive. If you’re using a computer with a firewall, make sure you tighten up the firewall settings. You don’t want to turn it off entirely, but you do need to adjust the settings to make it stricter. If you don’t know how to adjust your firewall settings, you should either call your computer’s manufacturer or hire someone with computer security experience to tighten up the firewall settings for you.
Don’t Use Incorrect Passwords
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to note that you should never use the same password for multiple websites. If a hacker gets ahold of your password for one website, they can use it to log into other websites as well. The best way to protect yourself from this is to use a unique password for each website you visit. If a website asks you for a password, don’t just use your normal password. Instead, use a password manager to create random, hard-to-crack passwords for each website you visit. If you don’t want to use a password manager, you could also use a phrase or sentence as your password instead. Just make sure you don’t use a phrase that you’ve used before in the past.
Protect Your Network with a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is a great way to protect your network and computers from hackers. A VPN works by redirecting your computer’s network traffic to a secure server, where your information is kept private. If you don’t have a VPN, someone could break into your computer and monitor your network traffic. With a VPN, you can prevent this from happening. There are many different VPN services available, but not all of them are trustworthy. You should look for a VPN service that has strong security protocols and protects your information by keeping it encrypted at all times.
Conclusion
Computer security is extremely important, especially in this day and age. As technology has become more prolific in everyday life, it has also become easier for hackers to get into computers and steal sensitive information. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your data. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of being hacked.