How many times did you feel helpless and want to throw your computer away because it stopped working, wouldn’t let you use certain programs or was slow? You are not the only one. These situations are quite common, due to our often naive internet behavior.
Your behavior on the network could result in us being charged for services such as viruses or computer attacks that block us from using certain functions, delete information or files, or even invade our privacy.
Although there is no way to eliminate the possibility of infection, we can make some suggestions that can help reduce the likelihood of it happening.
We have already shared 10 security tips for mobile devices. Today we will share them with you. These tips are intended for Windows-based devices, which are the most popular and most vulnerable to threats. However, you can extrapolate them to other operating systems like Linux or macOS.
This is the most important recommendation. Antivirus and antipysware are essential for protecting your device from threats like Trojans, spyware, and other malware.
This tool does not provide 100% protection against all viruses. However, it can be used to protect against low- or medium-level attacks that are most common. It is important to keep the antivirus updated regularly in order for it to function properly.
Another tip that should be adhered to is this one. We often resist updating our software because we don’t want to be both lazy or ignorant. However, it is important to understand that outdated software can make you more vulnerable. The latest versions usually offer greater protection and fix bugs.
It is therefore a smart idea to create applications that will check for updates and then recommend downloading them.
We often feel helpless that passwords need to contain symbols, numbers, and uppercase letters, but there is an explanation. Security is more important the harder the password. This is why it is crucial that you use secure passwords for all applications that require them, especially those that may contain sensitive personal information.
It is also advisable to change passwords between accounts, as identity theft could result in unlimited access to other accounts.
Another important tip is to not trust unknown or strange emails, especially if there are attachments or links. It is a good idea to check with the sender if an email appears suspicious, even if they are from someone we trust.
There are programs that can analyze your email and identify potential threats in most operating systems.
Most malware infections are caused by the device being connected to the internet. The malware communicates with servers and forwards information through open ports. It is recommended that you disconnect the Wi-Fi connection before using the computer for any other purpose and before turning it off.
Although it may seem like a simple advice, the truth is that we have had to use public networks to perform operations that could expose confidential data, such as banking transactions. It is best to share the connection, but not the data. You may need to share your information in an emergency situation. If you have the option to use more secure servers, please do so.
This recommendation is closely related to the one before. It is that while we should avoid public networks for certain activities, we also need to ensure that our home network is secure. Wireless networks or wireless networks are becoming more popular but wired networks are better for security.
It is true that it is more convenient to keep all our sessions open in most applications. This is because we don’t have to re-enter usernames and passwords every time we enter. However, it is not a good idea. It is important to be able to log out of shared computers such as Facebook, Twitter and Gmail. This is not the first time someone has had their identity stolen or their personal data stolen because they left a session open.
Ever stop to consider what might happen if all your content was lost? Sometimes we lose files, photographs, and confidential information due to viruses, malicious users, or simply a failure in the operating system. Backup copies are a smart idea that can save us from many problems. It is a great preventive measure to have an external hard drive that has a backup copy and upload what you consider important to the cloud.
It is important to instill a sense of security in all those we share our technology with. It is always a good idea to inform people about safety concepts and behavior. The more they know, the less they will be exposed to the internet. It is a good idea to have different users on the computer, and each user to use their own.
