Protecting PC content has become a top priority for all PC users. Each moment brings with it risks of content sabotage or hacking, with hackers and cyber crooks spread across major global countries. Moreover, today’s cyber crooks are a step ahead and can steal information with greater ease through autopilot. This stolen information that includes your debit and credit card numbers, your bank details and other personal files is of immense value to cyber crooks.
Your computer might be infected without you ever having the faintest idea. In such a scenario, sitting back and praying for cyber safety is not an option. You should take prompt steps towards elimination of all possible threats to your computer. Your PC and network needs to be secured appropriately for your content to stay safe. You need to be alert and vigilant at all times in order to keep unwanted infiltration at bay. Here are five top ways of protecting your PC content.
Update Operating Systems With Proper Patches
Keep your OS patched properly and updated as well in order to safeguard your PC content. Be sure to install all current updates and do not just whisk them away for later. Operating system updates are highly crucial and should not be ignored. This will fill up all gaps in security that arise due to outdated systems. Further, you should also have your applications patched regularly. Check all installed plug-ins and apps for updates and install the same without further delay. Often, unnoticed third party applications may well be the source of some serious problems.
Proper Encryption Is A Must To Safeguard Computer Content
Proper encryption includes encrypting local file information, cloud information and network connections. Many popular websites offer HTTPS connections these days. However, select this option while working in Gmail and Facebook. You will find it in the General and Account settings menus respectively. There is a secure browsing section in Facebook that you should check out. Make sure that your changes are saved and activated.
Firefox has an extension via the Electronic Frontier Foundation but it does not take care of every page you open. However, there is an encryption request that appears automatically for websites which support HTTPS. After installing the extension for Firefox, you can click on the subsequent icon and get a list of non-encrypted and encrypted websites. Please note that this extension is not valid for each and every website but it does help you stay safer.
Cloud information needs to be kept safe as well. We are increasingly relying on cloud storage these days. However, online storage services like Dropbox and Cloud may not be as safe as projected. Be sure to encrypt all information and data kept in your cloud storage account.
Also, check out all locally stored files that are sensitive. Windows and Mac operating systems have built in encryption features for files. You can get inputs on using encryption from support websites of both Apple and Windows. There are various encryption programs for files which often come free such as TrueCrypt. Check out all available file encryption tools and put them to work right away.
Do Away With Windows XP
Windows XP is one of the commonest operating systems worldwide. This accounts for it being used by innumerable users globally. However, it has crossed ten years and is quite vulnerable to frequent attacks. This is because of certain lapses in security that are not present in its successors. Windows XP is present on more than half of the computers globally. This makes it an easy target for attacks. There are many attacks particularly targeted at Windows XP. You should do away with the outdated Windows XP and get hold of either Windows 7 or Windows 8. This might go a long way towards keeping your PC content safe and secure. It may even be wise to move away from Windows to Mac Operating System.
Proper Prevention Of Data Snooping And Keystroke Loggers
Vulnerable computer systems always fall on the receiving end of hacker attacks. You should keep your firewall and antivirus software updated and running. There is a checklist for security on Microsoft’s help site. There are numerous free programs like the Malicious Software Removal Tool from Microsoft which keep your system secure against malware. Programs like Secunia scan your entire system in order to find out programs that are outdated. You also get a threat rating for every program and the overall score of your system.
Basic Security Measures And Passwords
Basic security measures should never be neglected. They are after all, the foundation for your defense against cyber criminals. Your system should have a proper antivirus, spyware blocking software and firewall. Ensure that all of these applications are not mistakenly turned off. There are various security settings for browsers like Firefox and Internet Explorer. Check these out as well. Avoid replying to unknown emails which often contain Trojan viruses and other malware. Finally, try and create strong passwords which cannot be decoded easily. Change the password every month or so. Use a combination of numbers and letters in both cases for your password. Always provide a password and name even for guest accounts.
Protecting PC content depends on your overall level of dedication and alertness. Your personal information is akin to a rich treasure trove for hackers and other cyber criminals. You have to innovate constantly in order to get the better of these modern cyber criminals. You have to secure your operating system and your network as well. Take a look at your files, browser and other online storage units as well. Identity theft is a serious and regular occurrence these days. Use these measures to keep PC content safe and secure for a hacker free internet experience.
