Computers have become mainstream in our world today. We do every activity on them, from work to entertainment. We practically live on the internet in our modern world, with billions of data exchanged daily. It’s no surprise that with the growing shift towards online, some people will be after your personal sensitive data, like credit card details, banking details, and passwords. The good news is there are ways to reduce your exposure to these hackers and protect your data from getting stolen. To find out more on how to secure your computer, keep reading.

1.  System and Application Update

The most basic way to protect your system may also turn out to be the most annoying one. How many times has a system update notification popped up at the corner of your screen, only for you to click”Later”? Yeah, we guessed as much.

The reality is that system updates don’t only come with additional features; most of the time they are necessary for addressing and patching bugs, which hackers can easily spot and exploit. The same also applies to the applications on your system; you should make sure to regularly update them. Google made the news recently with their transparency, they notified users to update their Chrome browsers because hackers had found their way around the older ones.

2.  Antivirus Software

The threat of hackers isn’t the only thing to worry about; you can still lose your data to computer viruses. Antivirus software efficiently helps get rid of these. Your Windows computer or laptop probably already has an installed version of a Windows virus protection software, but it is recommended to find access to an antivirus software much stronger than the basic one for extra safety. While the antivirus that comes with windows can cover the basics, getting a better and stronger alternative to protect your system is preferable.

3.  Firewall Security

A firewall prevents hackers or other unauthorized individuals from gaining access to your network. A firewall works with an antivirus in keeping your system safe externally as well as internally. While the firewall prevents unauthorized entry, the antivirus locates, disarms, and removes the viruses from the computer.

It’s best practice to make sure your firewall is functioning. If you have Windows or macOS, you can go into “security and setting” to double-check if your firewall is on. You can also choose from the wide varieties available in the market for extra security.

4.  A Backup Plan For Your Data

The files on our system have important documents and private information. Therefore, it is necessary to store them in a secondary storage device. An external hard drive is an excellent choice to have, but you can also store your data on the cloud.

An example of free cloud software is Google Drive, which allows you to store up to 15 GB for free and then pay to save more. Other cloud services exist, and you can take advantage of them.

Saving your files on other devices or the cloud helps prevent crises if your computer crashes or is subject to a ransomware attack.

5.  VPN

Using a VPN to gain access to your favorite TV show which is not available in your region is one of the least important reasons for using a VPN, even though that’s why most people use it in the first place. The reason for using a VPN is to mask your IP address, hence the name Virtual Private Network (I’m guessing some of you never knew), and doing this helps to keep you untraceable online.

They’re many people looking to pinpoint your location to hack or threaten you, so you should get basic cover for yourself while browsing. Next time you turn on your VPN to watch a Netflix show not available in your region, remember VPNs exist to protect you first before entertaining you.

A piece of advice, go for paid versions of VPN as most free versions can mine your data and sell it to a third party. Always keep this saying at the back of your mind, “Nothing is free online.”

6.  Password

I mentioned the first tip in this article was the most basic, but I was wrong. This point here is the most basic form of security. We all have passwords and, most times, are forced to create them. One behavior we are guilty of doing is using the same password across multiple platforms, including our computers. Which, to be honest, defeats the entire purpose of a password. If it’s going to be the name of your fluffy dog, you might as well not have any because those hackers will get through to your data.

An option is to have a password manager, which helps you keep tabs on all your passwords across various platforms. You can also activate two-step verification on those platforms that have them to secure your account.

Protecting and keeping your system safe is a vital task in the current digital age. As long as you browse the internet, your computer is exposed to the risks and dangers online. Therefore, being serious about your internet security is a wise choice. We hope reading the article has better informed you on how to keep your system safe.