Stop procrastinating. You may have considered ways to improve your computer Internet security but have put it off. It’s time to take action and get serious about improving your computer Internet security. These six steps will get you started. Read more now on usergorilla.com
Step 1: Identify potential threats
It is important to identify possible threats in order to develop a plan of action. You need to identify potential threats that could affect your computer’s security. We tend to think of hackers as anonymous individuals lurking in cyberspace, waiting for an opportunity to enter our computers and cause havoc. This is the most dangerous threat, but there are other people, such as business associates, close friends, family members, and friends of friends who could have access to your computer. They could also gain confidential information like bank account numbers and credit card information. This is why you need to take precautions to protect your computer from possible threats within and outside of your circle of influence.
Step 2: Computer lock down
The simplest and most ignored step is to lock your computer when it’s not being used. You should lock your computer when not in use, whether you are using it at home or at work. This feature is available on most computer operating systems, such as Windows. However, many users forget to turn it off when they start up their computer. It is essential to ensure that your confidential files are protected when your computer is running. You will need a strong password to prevent unauthorized access to your computer, as well as other passwords to protect the files you wish to keep secret. For the best protection, use a combination alphabets and numbers. Avoid common everyday items such as children’s names, pets names, and telephone numbers. These are too risky if the hacker knows you personally.
Step 3: Disconnect
There is no computer Internet security system or firewall that can be guaranteed to be 100% secure in all situations. There are always new types of malware, such as viruses, being created every day. This means that there is always the possibility that your computer security may be compromised. The best way to protect your computer from online threats is to use the 100% solution that is free and easy. When you are not using your computer, disconnect your Internet connection from your modem. Any online threat will be solved by this physical interruption in the Internet connection to your computer.
Step 4: Board Security
It’s amazing to see how many computer users ignore the importance of good computer protection, such as well-respected computer Internet security software. Either they believe it will never happen to them, or they think the basic protection provided by their operating system and firewall is sufficient. Others will download free internet security software for their PCs, believing that it is just as good as the paid version. Hello? It is absolutely free for a reason! In terms of computer Internet security, you generally get what your pay or don’t pay for. However, this does not mean that you should ignore the basic security settings in your operating system, e-mail programs and web browsers. To add an additional layer of protection to your computer from outside threats, these should be enabled.
Step 5: Be Prepared for the Unexpected
People often forget about the less serious dangers that can be posed by hackers breaking into their computer systems, whether it is online or physically. These can cause irreparable damage to your computer’s files, and render your onboard security ineffective. It is a smart idea to invest in a quality power surge protector. This will protect your computer from unexpected spikes of electricity that could damage your hard drive and fry any components. These types of dangers can be avoided by using battery backups. They will protect your computer from power surges and power outages, save your data, and shut down your computer automatically to prevent any file corruption.
Step 6: Backup Important Data
Everyone who is familiar with computers knows of at least one person who lost their entire life when their hard drive crashed suddenly and without warning. CRASHED! It is like playing Russian Roulette if you don’t regularly back up important files that contain sensitive personal information and information that holds sentimental value for you and your family. Computer hard drives don’t last forever so it is only a matter time before this happens. Sometimes, a skilled computer technician can access a failing hard drive to save its contents and transfer them to another hard drive. This is a risk you should not take. These external hard drives, also known as “zip drives”, are extremely affordable and can store a lot of information. They can be used to back up your data in case your hard drive fails. Backups should be done on a regular basis. You may need to back up monthly, weekly, or daily depending on the data you have and how frequently it is changed.
It is never too late to begin creating a plan of actions to improve your computer Internet security. Tomorrow is too soon!