Whether you have a business or are just looking for ways you protect your personal data on your computer from cybercriminals, finding ways to strengthen the protection of your data makes sense. There are a lot of ways unscrupulous people can attack you in the internet realm. There are things like phishing scams, malware, ransomware, and getting hacked; there is also the possibility of having your entire computer or laptop stolen, etc. So, it is a good idea, no matter what your circumstances, to have adequate protection on your computers. To help you find ways to strengthen your I.T security, here are a few things to think about:
If data does get corrupted, or you are the victim of some kind of cyber attack, or you simply lose your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer, imagine how you would feel. It is like losing a limb, losing an electric gadget. It makes you feel kind of exposed, and it is a great sense of loss. Although you may never be able to get the device back, you should try to ensure you do not lose the file. So, it makes a lot of sense to have all your files backed up in some alternative location. You can get huge backup external hard drives these days, or you can take advantage of cloud-based services. Maybe you should create a restore point on your computer just in case you download something that affects the running of your computer too. Backing up your data is one of the easiest things you can do for your peace of mind. It's also an essential step in ensuring cloud security. By regularly backing up your data to a secure cloud-based service, you can protect your valuable information from cyber attacks and prevent the loss of important files in case of device theft or damage. To learn more about cloud security and how to protect your data from cyber threats, you can visit this page for more information.
Update Your Software
It is important that you keep your software is up to date. That means when you see an alert, you click the button and install the new update. It really is that simple. You get them for the operating system on your phones and computers. You'll also get updates for apps and so forth. Updates are important because they contain patches and fixes for vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. As long as the manufacturer is still updating your system, you will still receive updates, and that means that you should be a little more protected. However, after a long period, these updates will discontinue. This may be the time to upgrade to a newer model or remove old apps from your devices.
Your Passwords
Choosing the right password for your devices is essential. A lot of people tend to use the same password for several different applications while other people write them down. Neither of these is a particularly good idea. All someone has to do is find your password list or manage to hack one device then they know all your passwords. You should try and create a unique password for all your devices and applications, take a look at how to create a strong password to discover how to create the best passwords. You could try using a password manager, which will memorize your passwords for you, so you don't have to write them down or remember them all. You could also try changing your password every so often too to be extra secure.
Two Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is a great way to add that extra bit of password security. It is a way of slowing down and stopping those would be hackers. This is because instead of one piece of information to log into an account, you are required to input two. You could have code generated and sent to your phone, for instance, which enables you to log into the device you want the extra security on. By doing this, if anyone does happen to locate your password list (if you have one), you have that extra bit of protection to prevent any hackers.
Avoid Free Wifi
When it comes to free wifi, anyone could be using it. So it is as a case of use at your own risk. Unsecure networks pose big threats. All it takes is someone in the near vicinity to be a little unscrupulous, and you've lost data. So, it really is up to you. However, if you want to use free wifi, just avoid buying anything while connected to it. Another thing to consider is that in a public space, anyone could be watching what you are doing. So, it is always a good idea to avoid doing anything monetary.
Use an Anti-Virus
It is always worth investing in decent anti-virus software. If you want something on your computer that can find and remove any malware, then you need anti-virus software. Some operating systems have an anti-virus installed. Windows has Windows Defender, for example. This is something that will be updated with the system updates. If your system does not have an integrated anti-virus, then you should definitely get one. However, be careful with the ones that you download as many of these are not genuine and may actually harm your computer rather than protect it.
Be Careful with Emails and Texts
So often these days, we receive emails or texts from numbers or addresses pretending to be something that they are not. Some of these emails and texts are designed to make you panic so that you click the link. As soon as you do that, you have some kind of problem. Ransomware works on people doing this, and once they do, all their data is stolen, and you are forced to pay a ransom to get it back. So do not click anything that you are not sure of.
Be Social Media Savvy
A lot of people give out far too much personal information on social media and then wonder why they get hacked. They have their dates of birth, address, email dresses, phone numbers, actual addresses, etc. Even pictures can give away personal data. You should close your account so strangers can't look at your profile and cut back on all the fields you are filling in. Don't give out anything you do not need to.
