Computers contain so much private data which is why it is important to protect them from hackers, and viruses that can infect your PC or corrupt your files. PC’s are vulnerable from attacks by various means such as visiting an unverified website, or by opening an email that contains a virus.
We have compiled 5 simple measures to help protect your PC from virus and hackers.
1. Backup Your Data
Backing up your data is important – by backing up your data you prevent the loss of important documents in the event that your computer crashes and you have to do a full system restore. It is advisable that you backup any files that have sensitive information in them, and clear them from your computer regularly to prevent anyone that hacks into your system from retrieving your personal details.
2. Install an Antivirus Program and Keep it Updated
It is important to have an Antivirus installed because they protect your computer from viruses and remove them from your computer. It is essential to keep your antivirus program updated because it keeps the program patched for the newest threats. Most new computers come with antivirus software, but if yours doesn’t, you can get antivirus software like Bitdefender – one of the best antivirus shields around and inludes a free 30 day trial.
3. Setup Spam Filters on Your Emails
As previously mentioned, a quick way to get a virus on your computer is by opening an email from an unknown person or company. Setting up spam filters on all your email accounts will reduce the chances of an email from an unknown source finding its way into your inbox and reduce your chances of infecting your PC.
4. Password Protection
This is mainly to protect your online accounts from intruders. Do not use obvious things like your birthday or middle name as your password because they can easily be guessed. Passwords that are 10 digits or higher, that are alphanumeric, and have a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters are more secure. You should also change your password every time one is automatically generated by a reset or account signup.
5. Update Windows
A lot of people fail to update Windows and other software when an update becomes available. These updates are usually security patches which are essential to protect against the latest virus or hacking methods. It is recommended to enable automatic updates on Windows to ensure the updates run in the background while you work on another task.
How to enable Windows 7 automatic updates:
- Click the start button
- Search and open ‘windows update’
- Click on ‘change settings’
- Under ‘recommended updates’ select ‘Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates’ and click OK
