10 basic recommendations to protect your computer against threats
SECURITY

10 basic recommendations to protect your computer against threats

How many times have you despaired and wanted to get rid of your computer because it starts to fail, doesn’t let you use any program or is extremely slow? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Unfortunately, these situations occur quite frequently, mainly due to our often naive behavior on the Internet.

Our behavior on the network can end up billing us in the form of a virus or a computer attack that prevents us from using some functions, deletes stored information or files, or even violates our privacy.

There is no magic formula to eliminate the risk of this happening, but we can follow some recommendations with which the chances of “infection ” of our device can be greatly reduced .

As we did in the case of mobiles , today we give you 10 essential security tips to keep your computer protected. Although these suggestions are indicated for devices that use Windows, the most used operating system and also the one most exposed to threats, they can be extrapolated to other systems such as Linux or macOS.

  1. Have an antivirus and have it updated

This is probably the most important recommendation. It is essential to have a good antivirus and antipysware that helps you protect your device against threats such as Trojans, spyware …

Although this tool is not a 100% safe shield against the most dangerous viruses, it is most effective with low or medium level attacks, which are also the most widespread. Remember that for its correct operation, like the other applications or programs that you have installed on your computer, the antivirus has to be updated regularly .

  1. Update the software periodically

This is another of the tips that must be followed to the letter. Although many times we are reluctant to update our software due to laziness or even ignorance, we must understand that the outdating of this means greater vulnerability , since normally the latest versions provide greater protection and the solution of failures of previous versions.

Therefore, it is a great idea to have applications that check if there are updates available for our software and recommend their download.

  1. Use strong passwords and change them periodically

Although many times we despair that passwords must contain uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols and must have at least 8 characters, these requirements have an explanation. The more difficult the password, the more security. In this sense, it is important that we use strong passwords in those applications that require it, especially those that contain confidential personal information .

In addition, it is recommended not to use the same password in all our accounts , since any identity theft in one of them could mean unlimited access to all the others.

  1. Beware of attachments and strange links in emails

Mistrusting strange or unknown emails , especially if they contain links or attachments , is another of the essential tips. Furthermore, if an email seems suspicious, even if it comes from someone you know, it is always advisable to make sure that it is safe by consulting directly with the person who sent it to us.

In most operating systems there are applications to analyze our email and rule out possible threats.

  1. Disconnect the Internet when not needed

Most infections occur when the device is connected to the network, since the malware performs its actions by communicating with servers or sending information using open ports on its connection. Therefore, disconnecting the Wi-Fi connection when you are using the computer for other purposes and also before turning it off is recommended.

  1. Avoid doing private operations on public and open networks

It seems like obvious advice, but the reality is that on occasion we have been forced to use a public network to carry out operations that put confidential information and data at risk , as is the case with bank transactions. On these occasions it is recommended to share the connection but not the data . If, due to an emergency, you need to compromise your personal information and there is the possibility of using more secure servers, do so.

  1. Check the security of the Wi-Fi network used                                       

This recommendation is closely linked to the previous one and is that, in the same way that we should try to avoid public networks when we carry out certain actions, we should also keep in mind to review the security of our usual network at home . In this sense, although Wireless or wireless networks are increasingly popular, wired networks are preferable in terms of security .

  1. Log out when finished

Although it is true that it is much more comfortable to keep our sessions open in most applications, since we do not have to put our username and password every time we want to enter, this is not a very good idea . We must get used, even more so on shared computers, to log out, especially in applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Gmail … It would not be the first time that someone has seen their identity being spoofed or personal data stolen for leaving a session open.

  1. Back up

Have you stopped to think what would happen if you lost all the content on your computer? Sometimes, the action of a virus, malicious users or, simply, due to failures in the operating system, we can lose photographs, files, and confidential information . So making backups is a great idea and will save us on more than one occasion. Having an external hard drive with a backup or uploading what we consider essential to the cloud is a good prevention measure.

10. Teach those who share a computer with us and create different users

Taking care of the security of our devices is an attitude that we must instill in those who share it with us. It is always positive to explain basic security concepts and behaviors to these people, since the more informed they are, the less they will be exposed online. In this sense, it is good practice to create different users on the same computer and each person to use theirs.

Following these recommendations can help reduce the threats that both novice and experienced users are exposed to. But also, remember that you can always ask for help from a professional who will advise you in the world of security and privacy on the Internet. This is the case of some insurance products such as MGS Hogar Habitual , which has a remote Domestic Computer Assistance coverage with which computer professionals will assist you in protecting your technological devices and applications against security and privacy threats.

Related posts

Online reputation tracking with Google Alerts

admin

How hackers can save us from cyber attacks

admin

the importance of protecting your personal information online

admin

Leave a Comment