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6 simple practices that can help to keep your PC safe

6 simple practices that can help to keep your PC safe

Keeping your computer safe and your identity protected can be difficult. What can you do to keep your computer data safe? Here are six tips to get you started.

 

1. Install anti-virus software… and keep it updated

You’d be surprised at how many personal computers don’t have anti-virus/malware protection. Yes, no matter how ‘careful’ you are (or think you are) on the internet, you should always run an antivirus. Loads of people think that you can only get malware by downloading suspicious files or visiting dodgy websites; but this is certainly not the only way malware can spread. Even legitimate websites that you trust can be compromised. By the way, free anti-virus software is better than nothing, but it’s not the best solution.

 

2. Back up your data

Again, this should go without saying, but – well, let’s say it anyway - backing up your data protects you in the event of a computer crash or electrical outage or if you get hacked. You can do your back-up manually by transferring important documents to an external hard drive or using a designated service like Dropbox.

 

3. Keep away from dodgy sites

This one is pretty simple - look for a green lock in the address bar and the code prefix “https://” at the beginning of the URL especially when visiting banking sites or entering your credit card data. And don’t click on links sent to you in email messages - go directly to the website itself instead.

 

4. Don’t divulge sensitive information

Definitely do not give out information such as your social security number or credit card information unless you trust a website completely. Also, be careful what you divulge on social media - revealing information like your mother’s maiden name or name of first pet could lead to identity theft, because you probably use the same data as the security question another website.

 

5. Do not open emails from suspicious sources

Never open an email from an unknown source, and, most importantly, do not open any attachments contained in them. You also should be careful of emails coming from people on your contact list. If an email from someone you know with has a suspicious link or unusual content, delete it and alert this him/her that his/her account may have been hacked.

 

6. Make sure that you have a good Firewall

Make sure that your computer, router and modem have a decent Firewall (and check that it is on!)

 

Authored by Finerton.com – June 2019
Pictures: Pixabay.com & Unsplash.com

Last modified on: June 27, 2019

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