How to Keep Your Computer Safe and Virus Free?
Be the Basics of Digital Security
Invasion, viruses, malware, privacy … Today there are many dangers facing the computer. Digital security has always been important, but the more connected we are home networks and corporate — and especially the internet — are more vulnerable. Sound worrying? Yes, but only a little, because the security measures are simple: they range from common sense tips to some essential tools.
We will divide this article into three distinct parts, being careful to keep it as simple as possible so as not to raise doubts. In the first, we will explain a little about viruses and malware, as well as defense measures for this type of attack. In the second, we will address passwords and, finally, we will talk about good practices when it comes to browsing and buying online.
Viruses and Malware
Let’s start by debunking a myth: it’s not usually a virus. Many people mistake malware for viruses, and viruses are a threat category within the immense family of digital pests. There are many other classifications, among the most famous are Trojans, or “Trojan horses”, a practically harmless program that — as in Greek mythology — hides an army ready to take down the defenses of your computer.
Many of these evil programs are lurking there, some without showing any signs that they are active. Some collect data and send it to a cybercriminal, among them passwords, and others are able to spread (yes, look at the virus there!) Or damage applications and documents that you kept with all the love in the world.
Your biggest defense? Common sense. Incredible, but the cheapest solution is also the most efficient. Always be wary: that movie that just arrived at the video store, well … It is not free on the internet. Don’t risk it! That game is $ 99 on the shelf? Be wary if you find a website saying it can be downloaded for free. The famous piracy is a high risk for the computer because we do not know what may be behind the protection “unlock code”.
Did you receive an email from a friend with an attachment? Did it come written in another language? You have no idea what the file is? Don’t open it. It is easier to answer the email and ask if he really wanted to send the file since many pests automatically replicate to the contact list stored on the computer.
Always update your system. Both Mac and Windows have so-called security updates. On the Mac, it is available through the App Store, and on Windows, via the Windows Update tool. Always update, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for program updates. They usually warn you that a new version has come out, and it fixes important vulnerabilities that could open your computer to attackers.
If your computer is divided, if you exchange a lot of files between a home computer and a computer at school (or at work), it is best to have an antivirus. Windows has so-called Security Essentials, but there are many more complete options that protect your computer more efficiently and can be purchased on an annual basis. Take a look and choose yours!
You can also download free antivirus over the network. The main free software in this category is Protegent360 Total Security.
Watch Out for Passwords!
Today we have online social networks, we have access to the bank, instant messengers, e-mail. Each of these is protected by a password, and have you ever thought what it would be like if they fell into the wrong hands? Yeah. Right mess and exposure to confidential or intimate data. For the password, it is best to follow important recommendations.
The first one: forget about birth dates. Forget phone number. Forget obvious sequences. 123456 is still the most used password in the world. Curious, right? Not! It’s lazy. Lazy and easy. Easy as it is to find out the name of your son, your mother, or your girlfriend.
Prefer passwords mixed with letters, numbers, and symbols (! # @ $ _ And so on). Choose something that makes sense to you, but something that is not very obvious. “Password” will never be a good password, but if you choose S! ENh41982, for example, the situation will change. Another point: avoid using the same password on all services, and please avoid obvious answers to password reminder questions. If you prefer, set a universal password for such a response.
And for the most important and most used systems, remember to change your password periodically. Can it seem insanity to remember so many passwords? It seems, but a lot of software helps protect this information from an installed master key. Look for “ password managers “ in your preferred search engine and see a number of options.
Ah. We don’t need to say the maxim, right? Your password is yours. Do not pass it on to your mother, son, girlfriend, or anyone else.
Good Practices on the Web
Last but not least, you need to be careful when browsing. Take care of your privacy on social networks: always use settings and restrict viewing to personal data only to your friends. Review Facebook’s privacy settings, for example, to prevent access to more intimate areas of your life only to your closest friends.
Do not reveal personal information like your address to complete strangers. Chat programs and social networking sites are cool and can feature nice people, but be careful not to fall into a vicar’s tale by trusting someone you’ve never seen or who has no close relationship with your friends.
When entering a password or completing an online purchase, make sure you are in a safe environment. Modern browsers show clear indicators, such as a lock icon or a green address bar, to identify a server that transmits the password correctly, without the risk of interception. Secure addresses are also usually preceded by HTTPS: // (note the, before the colon, indicates a secure protocol). Redoubled attention when accessing banks or online stores.
Being 100% safe on the internet is illusory, but the science of risk is the first step to protecting yourself. Addressing each point in this article would be difficult, but this is a good starting point for not being made a fool of and not falling for some of the most famous scams.
