Keeping your home PC safe and secure is one of the most important aspects of our lives these days. Our computers are constantly exposed to threats and we are always at the risk of losing valuable data. But, all of this can be easily avoided by taking some precautionary measures. Here are the top tips to keep your home PC safe.
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1. Keep the Firewall Running
A firewall is the first line of defense that can keep a lot of threats at bay. The modern firewall algorithms are capable of thwarting many kinds of viruses, malicious programs, and malware. The popular operating systems, such as Windows, have a built-in Firewall system. Make sure that you keep the firewall running all the time. It is important to keep checking the firewall as well. While it might sound a bit complicated, the truth is that keeping an eye on a firewall is extremely easy. Let’s say you have a Windows PC, all you have to do is open Control Panel and lookup for ‘firewall’ in the search option. You will be able to see whether or not the firewall is turned on. If it is OFF, make sure you turn it ON. If you own a Mac computer, simply click the Apple logo and then navigate to System Preferences > Security > Firewall. Again, make sure that it is turned ON. It is also recommended that you share only those files on your computer with the other machines that you really need to.
2. Back-Up Your Data Regularly
We can never say enough about the importance of data backup. While viruses and malware pose a threat to your data, they are not the only ones who can cause harm. Sometimes the hard disk crashes without any warning and destroys all the data. At times you may experience voltage surge frying your data. Of course, there are threats like ransomware that hijack your data and do not give it back to you unless you have paid the demanded ransom.
This is the reason why it is extremely important to back up your data. You can store your backed up data offline on an external hard drive or online in the cloud storage. Even though cloud solutions provide online storage, they are quite safe. They are in fact perfect for IoT security. You can use services like Dropbox and Google Drive. If you are a Mac user, you may also use iCloud and learn about how to Increase SoundCloud plays. I would recommend both offline and online backup.
3. Install Antivirus or Any Other Security Software
As already mentioned, the firewall is the first line of defense. But, sometimes it may not be enough. You may require additional protection. This is where the Security tools come into the picture. Antivirus is one of the most widely used security programs. There are a number of companies offering such services. In fact, you can even download free antivirus software program from the reputed brands.
The objective of antivirus is to keep you safe from a wide range of threats including viruses, malware, spyware, and more. If you are looking for more inclusive security, it would be a good idea to install an Internet Security program. Or, you may go for a Total Protection Program as well. It all depends on your needs and budget.
4. We Wary of Random Websites
No rogue website will carry the tag ‘Hey! I am malicious.’ This simply means that spotting a malicious website is not always easy. No matter how cautious you are, you may still end up engaging with such a website. But, if you choose to stick with the sites that are renowned and reputed, you will be able to keep your computer safe.
That may not always be feasible, however. You may have to visit a random website some time or the other. In that case, keep an eye on the URL as well as the content of the site. If the URL doesn’t start with ‘https’ and the site is still asking for your card details, it is better to stay away from it.
5. Do Not Open Links in the Emails from the Unknown Senders
This is another thing you need to be careful about. If you receive an email from an unknown sender do not open any link in it. It may lead you to a malicious site or worse download a virus on your computer. Most email clients, such as Gmail, are capable of detecting spams and threats to a large extent. But, sometimes even they fail to flag harmful emails. So, it is up to you to be careful. You also need to be careful of the phishing scams that are quite rampant these days.
6. Scan Every External Media
After you plug in a USB Pendrive into your computer, make sure you scan it with an antivirus first before opening its content. Even if you have received the drive from a friend, always scan it first. Your friend may not know it has a virus. Do the same with any other external media, such as an external hard drive. This will make sure that your computer and your data remain safe.
For IoT security or for that matter any kind of security, the first thing you need to do is install a protection program. You may even install a free antivirus software tool if you don’t want to spend money. But, make sure you have one.
