Although digital technology has taken a paradigm shift, and there are apps to safeguard almost everything existing today, data vulnerabilities still exist. Despite having some of the best ways to prevent online security threats in place, malware intrusions, and hacking attempts have become more common than ever.
Hackers try every possible way to get unauthorized access to your computer, as well as to misuse or steal your data. They attempt to leak out your information by sending viruses to your computer or hacking online accounts.
Now, the question is, what are the possible ways to safeguard your online and offline data and prevent hacking attempts? If you want to know your options, keep reading this article till the end.
Use Firewall Protection
Operating systems like Windows and macOS provide a built-in firewall that acts as a barrier between your information and the internet. It restricts any unauthorized access to your computer and provides a warning whenever someone tries to step into your privacy. You can download third-party apps, but make sure they won’t affect your computer performance as you will have to spend extra time fixing your slow Mac or MS Windows computer.
Make sure to enable a firewall all the time, particularly when you are browsing the web or shopping online, as you may be providing your personal and financial details. You can even purchase hardware firewalls or business networking firewalls for enhanced security from companies like Cisco, Sophos, or Fortinet.
Use Antivirus Application
Viruses and malware are everywhere; they can enter your computer via external devices, cloud surfing, or by downloading any malicious software. Choosing a good antivirus is as important as it is to choose the right specs for your computer. Some of the best antivirus applications available today include Bitdefender, Panda Free Antivirus, Malwarebytes, Avast, and Norton 360.
Some of these apps are paid, while others are available for free. You can also avail yourself of premium versions if you require more security and online safety. The responsive antivirus apps not only delete viruses and malware from your computer but also encrypt your online activity while you are surfing the web.
So, installing an antivirus and scanning your computer is a must to ensure the security of the device and data.
Use AlphaNumeric Passwords
Using a strong password plays a vital role in terms of preventing unauthorized access and protecting your data over the internet. The stronger your password will be, the less vulnerable your online accounts are to hacking attempts. The tip to assign a strong password to your accounts is that you should use a combination of alphanumeric passwords that must contain at least one special character.
Avoid using passwords that anyone can easily guess or crack to gain access to online accounts. Never use a single password for multiple accounts, particularly for the email address and the bank accounts. If you are using a Mac, you can recover any forgotten password from the built-in Keychain utility. On Windows, you May use responsive password management apps to keep track of multiple passwords you might be using.
Update OS & Apps
Regularly updating the operating system and applications to the latest version is the key to keeping your computer safe from online vulnerabilities. The latest updates come integrated with security patches that fix many bugs and security issues that may exist in the older versions. They help enhance and strengthen the security of the previous software versions to a great extent.
You can also set your computer to automatically update the operating system whenever any new update comes up. Your computer will notify you whenever a new update or upgrade is available, and you may check it regularly by navigating to the Software Update section or the Notification Center.
Back-Up Computer Regularly
Backing up your computer may not help enhance your internet security, but it will help you ensure that your data is available, no matter what. Since online vulnerabilities are meant to damage data and make it inaccessible, a backup is the best way to ensure that you will not lose data even if your computer is exposed to any security threats.
Viruses can delete your files and can corrupt the hard drive beyond repair. So, it’s recommended to have an additional copy of your data either online using a cloud storage service or offline on an external storage media.
Various cloud storage options include Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, and OneDrive, which gives you access to 2 GB to 15 GB of free storage space. If you are using macOS, you can back up your data to an external SSD or HDD via a built-in Time Machine utility.
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Conclusion
Protecting your online security by following some of the easy-to-follow security tips is a must to stay safe. You should have all the necessary apps and features enabled on your computer that help prevent unauthorized access to data.
Although your computer offers built-in security to safeguard your data, you can use third-party apps for better security against online vulnerabilities.
