Is Your Computer Secure? Check here!
The Internet is the collective consciousness of humankind. We can access a wealth of information with just a few clicks. However, the internet is also fertile ground for hackers to try to the personal information you’ve inputted into your computer. As time goes on, hackers are finding new and sneakier ways to trick people out of their private information. Many methods of obtaining viruses are so discreet that users may not enough know until damage has already occurred. Everyone should take action to make sure their computer is secure when accessing the web. There are a series of steps you can take to make sure your computer is protected against malware, spyware, and viruses.
Anti-Virus Software - There is a multitude of Anti-virus software out there that you can use to protect your computer. A few good ones that I would recommend are Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Programs like these help protect your computer against threats from unauthorized code and software. These unauthorized threats can be things such as viruses, keystroke loggers, and trojans that can severely bog down the processing speed of your computer. Anti-virus software should be run actively when using your computer to browse the web. It can catch threats early on before they cause any harm to your computer or personal information.
Firewall - a firewall provides a service to computer similar to what it sounds like. This metaphorical wall protects your computer. It acts as a blockade for any program trying to access your computer through the internet without authorization. There are two types of firewalls for software and hardware. While browsing the web, you should always keep your firewall turned on to notify you of any unauthorized attempts to access your computer.
Anti-Spyware - Spyware can be sneaky and hard to detect without sufficient anti-spyware software. Spyware collects information during your browsing sessions without your approval. Going to unprotected websites or opening suspicious email attachments is how spyware is contracted most commonly. It can be a pain to get rid of once it has infected your computer. There are plenty of free and paid for programs to block spyware from accessing your computer. These programs should run actively as they scan all incoming information to keep your computer safe.
Password Protection - Having complex and secure passwords is one of your most valuable forms of defense against online perpetrators. Hackers can use tools to figure out other’s passwords it the password is too simple. Make sure to never post your passwords online or share them with any suspicious websites. A strong password is at least 8 characters long and has a mix of capital letters, numbers, and symbols.
Browser Security Settings - Some online protection is as easy as configuring the security settings on your browser of choice. Most browsers have privacy settings that allow you to choose what information your browser stores such as cookies and saved passwords. Extensions can be added onto your web browser to alert you of suspicious websites or block unwanted pop-ups.
While the risk may not always seem apparent, the internet can be a dangerous ground for malicious hackers looking to steal information. Don’t risk leaving your computer unprotected and contracting viruses. It’s worth your time to take the steps to make sure you have security software. It’s much easier and less expensive to prevent viruses than trying to get rid of them after they’ve been contracted.
We take computer security very seriously at 210Geeks.com. We sanitize the hard drives of all computers we receive to guarantee the safety of your personal information. We want our customers to know that their private and personal information is safe when selling or recycling their computer with us. Check your computer’s security to make sure you aren’t at risk.
Daniel McLaurin / Digital Marketing & Media