Cybersecurity is an ever-changing, evolving field of study. Keeping your personal computer and the digital data stored therein safe and secure requires constant attention.Y
ou never know what’s going to happen – anything from a device malfunction, data loss, or theft could lead to major consequences. It might be easy to think that you’re safe because you keep things encrypted but it only takes one slip-up for someone with access to do something they shouldn’t have been able to do before.
So, how can we make sure this doesn’t happen to our personal devices? You can benefit greatly from following a few simple practices.
So, how can we make sure this doesn’t happen to our personal devices? You can benefit greatly from following a few simple practices:
1. Backup your data regularly
The importance of backing up your data does not need to be reiterated. Set aside time every week – it doesn’t matter when – to do so. Make sure you have an external hard drive at the very least but if you’re really cautious, then use a cloud service too.
2. Set passwords for secure access.
Regardless of whether you are using Windows 10 or macOS, it is possible to set a secure admin login password. And for those with sensitive data, it would be best to create a password-protected document or folder.
3. Lock your computer screen when away.
If you need to step away from your work station for a moment, always ensure that the screen is locked before leaving it unattended. All it takes is one stranger touching your device for someone else to access all of your personal information.
4. Get a good antivirus/security software.
Poor security software often causes slow computers because it requires more system resources to run smoothly than others. Ideally, any antivirus software should be light-weight and does not consume much system resource to function properly without running in the background for hours after installation.
5. Adjust security settings.
Each Windows operating system has various security settings, while macOS also has many of them. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge all have different levels of security protection. It is important to adjust these settings according to your computer specifications and needs of each individual user.
6. Do not auto-connect to public Wi-Fi.
It is highly probable that your computer will be attacked using a public Wi-Fi network if you are constantly connected to it for no reason at all.
7, Check for security patches and software updates.
Both Microsoft and Apple provide regular updates and patches to their operating systems for protection against malware and other security concerns. Make sure your computer is always checking for new updates or visit the appropriate webpage to see what new versions are available for download.
