You want to keep a lot of the information on Secure Your Computer. However, without any security measures in place, hackers, viruses, and other online dangers can take advantage of your device. These can harm your files and potentially render your PC useless in addition to taking your data.
Fortunately, it just takes five minutes to secure your smartphone from hackers. What you must do is as follows.
1. Make a Secure Password.
Many individuals use computers without a PIN or password. Imagine someone stealing your unprotected device and searching through your files and sensitive information.
The simplest security measure to put in place is to give your computer a login password. Use lengthy, difficult-to-guess passwords with at least eight to twelve characters.
This is how you create a password on Secure Your Computer:
Windows
- Click the Start button in the lower left corner of the computer’s home screen.
- Click Settings after that, then Accounts.
- Afterward, select the Sign-in Options option.
- Click the Add option in the Password menu on the right side of the window. Click Change to change an existing password if you already have one.
- Select Add or Remove User Accounts from the drop-down menu that appears after clicking Control Panel. Click Continue if you are asked for permission to make changes.
- Retype your new password into the text fields. Use a combination of characters, symbols, and numbers to make it powerful. If you’re having difficulties remembering your password, you can also enter a Password Hint.
When finished, press the Next button. To save your changes, click the Finish button at the end.
Mac
- Select System Preferences from the Apple Menu after opening it.
- Before heading to the Security and Privacy area, first browse to General.
- Next, choose the lock symbol at the window’s bottom.
- If you’re creating a password for the first time, select the unlock option.
- Mark the box that reads “Require Password” and choose the time frame for the PC to ask you for a password.
- When finished, click the lock button to preserve your changes by closing the window.
Two-factor authentication should be used.
Passwords alone won’t stop a hacker from accessing your data. One or two passwords are frequently used by people for dozens of their offline and online accounts. Your other accounts are at risk if this password is stolen from one source.
Use two-factor authentication to increase security (2FA). 2FA is supported by most password managers. A one-time password (OTP), which can be delivered to your smartphone or email, is required in addition to your password before someone can log into an account. OTPs can be face scans, fingerprint scans, or one-time passwords.
Windows Hello is the name of the biometric authentication feature in Windows 10. There are three ways to authenticate with this security feature: fingerprint, face recognition, and retina scan. Additionally, it can sync with password managers like Dashlane and Keeper.
Here’s how to see if Windows Hello is compatible with Secure Your Computer:
- On your home screen’s bottom left, click the Windows symbol.
- Click Settings after that.
- After that, choose Accounts.
- Click Sign-in Options to finish. You should check the Windows Hello tab to see if it’s accessible on your device.
By selecting the Set up button next to the appropriate heading, you may turn on Face Recognition or Fingerprint if you have a device that is compatible.
3. Constantly keep your firewall turned on
Your PC is open to viruses and hackers whenever it is linked to the internet. Your first line of protection against their efforts to penetrate your system is a firewall.
By preventing access to the site’s Domain Name Service (DNS) information, a firewall protects your privacy. You won’t be able to view your IP address or any other important data to hackers.
If you unintentionally or accidently switched off your computer’s firewall, follow these instructions to turn it back on:
Windows
- Select Settings after clicking the Start button. Click the Update and Security tab after that.
- Select Windows Security from the menu on the left.
- Click Network Protection and Firewall. You’ll be presented with the Domain Network, Private Network, and Public Network options. You ought to be given a list of parts with the heading “No actions required.”
- Any of the choices can be clicked to enable (or disable) them. They may all be turned on at once.
- Slide the cursor to the right under Windows Defender Firewall under Public Network to enable it.
Mac
- Select System Preferences from the Apple Menu after it is open.
- On the top menu bar, choose Security and Privacy, then click Firewall.
- Click the lock symbol at the bottom of the window if you have a password.
- Type it in after that.
- You have the option to switch on (or off) the Firewall after it has been unlocked.
- To save your changes, click the lock icon once again.
4. Put in antivirus and antispyware software
The easiest way to protect your PC from viruses is to keep a protection suite running. The built-in antivirus programme Windows Defender in Windows 10 is capable of thwarting the majority of viruses.
You may also set up other well-known antivirus software, such as Avast, Bitdefender, Norton, and Kaspersky. These antivirus programmes also include functions like link checking and anti-ransomware.
Today’s antivirus software typically ranges in price from $40 to $80, depending on the number, kind, and security features of the devices it protects. Software security system upgrades not only improve your PC’s overall speed but also update its built-in security.
Every system has a different installation time. For instance, McAfee takes roughly 15 minutes to finish. On the other hand, the purchasing and installation procedures don’t require a lot of time.
5. Constantly permit system updates
System updates can often be seen negatively by computer users because they take a while to complete. They may occasionally have a detrimental effect on your PC by making certain of its operations slower.
However, routinely upgrading your system provides additional advantages, such as repairing any security holes discovered in the operating system since the last update.
Here’s how to configure your computer to automatically install system updates:
Windows
- On your screen, click Start in the lower left corner. Select Settings from the menu after that.
- Go to Update and Security after that, then click Windows Update.
- Under the Choose How Updates are Installed menu, choose the Advanced options and then Automatic (Recommended).
Mac
- Navigate to System Preferences from the Apple Menu.
- To see whether there are any updates available, click Software Update. In that case, select Update Now.
- Select the option to “Automatically keep my Mac up to date” if you want next updates to be installed automatically.
Being careful about where and how you use your device helps protect it from outside threats. For instance, never connect to unprotected public Wi-Fi just because it’s free. As a result, disable Bluetooth on your smartphone while not in use in public as hackers may use it as a backdoor.
Avoid opening spam emails since they frequently contain links to phishing scams. Unwanted cookies and cached data used to get personal information can be removed by clearing your internet history.
Remain Secure Online!
There are many other methods for protecting computers, but they may take longer to implement. A Virtual Private Network is one of the finest ways to defend oneself against unwanted internet attacks (VPN). Before making a purchase, check out what your antivirus offers as many protection packages also include a VPN.
READ MORE ALSO HERE:
