Windows is a relatively secure environment, and with the enhancements to Windows Defender on Windows 10, Microsoft is continually improving its security capabilities.
That said, however, Windows doesn’t rank very well in terms of the most secure operating systems. Although absolute security is debatable, most experts agree that Linux is a more secure OS than either Windows or macOS.
But what if you’re a Windows user? Are there ways to protect your Computer Security from being compromised by hackers or data thieves? In fact, why worry about security in the first place? Just slap on a couple of security utilities and you’re good to go, right? Wrong!
Since Windows is the most used desktop operating system in the world, it obviously represents the biggest target for threat actors such as hacking groups.
Now add to it the fact that in 2017, there was a new malware specimen emerging every 4.2 seconds, and what you have are an explosive combination of a prolific operating system and a daunting threat horizon.
So what’s the solution to personal computer security? Below, we’ve provided information about a few methods that you can use to safeguard your system and prevent a cyber attack that could cost you your data, your privacy and even worse – your money.
Keep Your System and Software Up-to-date
The first layer of Computer Security is the state of your system and all the software you have installed on it. Making sure that Windows OS and all your software applications are in the latest iterations is key to defending your system from being compromised.
Now that Internet data costs are coming down dramatically, it shouldn’t be a problem putting your system on auto-update mode so you don’t have to manually apply updates as and when they become available. This is especially true for security patches that Windows periodically pushes to its users.
Antivirus Software – Computer Security
The next layer of Computer Security is the antivirus software. There are several robust solutions like Symantec’s Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, Webroot SecureAnywhere, Bitdefender and so on. They’re not very expensive, and if you value your digital privacy and security it’s well worth the few dollars you’ll be spending on such a tool.
The best antivirus software will actively keep scanning your system for threats, and will be regularly updated with the latest strains of viruses and other malware for rapid detection and action.
Password Reset Disk
Your computer would be hijacked by an anonymous hacker and an unknown password was attached to it. To make sure your data is not going to vanish you can try using a premium password recovery and reset utility like PassMoz LabWin. The software is free to try, and you can get through any complex password in a short amount of time. The best part is that, unlike most other password reset/recovery tools, PassMoz has everything built in, so it’s just a matter of…
First, download and install it on a Windows PC or laptop. Then burning pre-created WinPE to a removable disk. Now, booting up any locked Windows PC or laptop with the disk.
You can also use the Windows default password reset disk tool, but you have to do it before you forget your password; otherwise, you won’t be able to get into your system to create the disk in the first place.
Password Best Practices and Online Security
One of the best ways to protect your system is to have a strong password that uses special characters, letter casing, and numerals to increase its complexity. Unfortunately, most computer users keep reusing their simple and easy-to-guess passwords.
If you’re one of them, you’re not alone. Millions of users have had their systems compromised and their data were stolen because they relied on passwords that used their date of birth, the name of their pet or some other hackable character strings.
Did you know that only 22% of computer users in the United States used different passwords for each of their online accounts? In comparison, 28% used the same password for every account and 42% used the same password for more than one account.
The best solution is to create passwords that are easy to remember but hard to crack. And never write down your password where others can see it. Even worse, don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, especially Internet banking and other accounts where money or sensitive information are involved.
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In Summary
The threat of malware is on the rise, and individuals as much as businesses and large corporations are feeling the heat of inadequate security. And with companies like Facebook and Google now coming under the microscope for user data abuse, it is imperative that users take the extra effort to protect themselves and their families from cyber attacks.
If you’re worried about the expense, then don’t. Spending a couple of hundred dollars for robust security tools might dent your wallet a little, but being hit by ransomware and paying thousands to an unknown hacker is going to hurt you a lot more. So, do what you can to secure things and your end, and rest assured that you’re better protected than most other users.
