With the increase in adoption of computers and the latest online gadgets, the risks of hackers and cyber attacks have also been increased. Today, we are living in an era where security threats like cyberattacks (Ransomware, Phishing, etc) have become quite common. As we are developing new ways to avoid these attacks, hackers always make their presence feel in a new way. Today, we are going to discuss 8 Ways to keep your computer safe from Hackers and Cyber Attacks. As someone has said – “there’s always a loophole to look after” but following these ways you can ensure your computer’s security to the maximum level possible.
How to Keep Your Computer Safe From Hackers and Cyber Attacks?
1. Install Good Antivirus Software:
Antivirus has become a must-have software nowadays. Just like a security guard in your home, Antivirus software plays a vital role in providing real-time protection to your computer as they detect threats in real-time too. Antivirus software keeps an eye on everything such as viruses, Trojans, etc and blocks any unauthorized access to your computer. There are many free and paid Antivirus Softwares available in the market. So, you should only go for paid one which provides the maximum level of protection in your budget. Also, don’t forget to update it regularly.
2. Firewall Installation:
A Firewall is a software or a firmware that sits between your computer and network and prevents any malicious data packet from entering into your network. There are two types of Firewalls – a hardware firewall and a software firewall. There are many other advantages of using a firewall. It does not only restrict external packets from entering into your network but also restricts worms or other malware from spreading into the entire network. Actually, It is the first level of security for your computer. Anyone using a computer from home environment should always keep its firewall turned on.
3. Anti-Spyware Software:
Many people still use free Anti-Spyware programs or the one which comes integrated with Antivirus software. I am not saying they don’t work, but many of them don’t provide real-time or active protection from Trojan, adware and other spyware infections. Also, there are many free Anti-Spyware software that detects threats once they have infected a system. This makes their presence useless. So, always go for paid (licensed) programs which do not only protect your computer but also remove such infections if already present.
4. Deploy DNS Protection:
There are times when visiting a webpage is enough to infect the victim’s computer. This usually starts when you download an infected program. This program replaces the DNS server with a poisoned DNS server. Now, every time you make a request to open a website or a link, the compromised DNS server redirects you to an unauthorized web server. These types of threats can usually be prevented by changing your DNS address to Open DNS. It’s a free DNS service which protects users against common phishing, spyware, and other web-based threats.
5. Disable Autorun:
Disabling Autorun is a must advice everyone should follow. Many times, we connect an external drive to our system and it automatically starts running. Here, you should also know that Autorun may lead to automatically installing viruses on your system. There are many viruses that work by attaching themselves to pen drives and other external drives. So, you should disable the Windows autorun feature to avoid such threats.
Also Read: 5 Best LightWeight Browsers For Android to Speed Up Your Device
6. Regularly check your Browser’s Security Settings:
Web Browsers come with various security and privacy settings which must be reviewed at regular interval of time. Sometimes, adware changes the preferred homepage address and start redirecting you to a new page. Though it’s just a small case, the adware can cause much damage if they interfere with your privacy. If you don’t know much about the settings or are unsure about settings? Just Install ADW Cleaner and click on clean if you find anything after the scan. ADW cleaner is quite popular for removing adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
7. Install Softwares from Trusted Sources Only:
Yes, I know you are already aware of this tip but when people see a popup box on the side of the screen saying – your system is infected, they can’t stop themselves from clicking on the alert. A few years ago, popular pop-up scam advised Chrome users to install a missing font called ‘HoeflerText’. But, it was linked to malware. So, you should always be careful while browsing the internet. if you find an advert that looks suspicious, the best way to save yourself is to ignore the advert completely. Otherwise, you might end up downloading malicious software and compromise your privacy and security.
8. Know how to Identify Phishing Scams:
Phishing is a method of acquiring your personal information without your knowledge using illegal methods. Phishing website generally impersonates a legitimate website using their logo and architecture and try their best to get your personal information. Not only websites, but we also receive a lot of Phishing emails per day. They usually look like as they’re coming from the original source, but their aim is to only win your trust and make you ready to click on the included links and finally infect your computer with malware.
The best thing is – you can easily identify these fake emails by looking at the email header. Just click on the view details option and check where the email has come from. Read the email carefully and look for an unusual logo or bad grammar. Always remember you don’t have to click on the link to check the website. Just hover your mouse over the link and see the address at the bottom of your internet browser.
Wrapping Up: Tips to Save Your PC/Laptop From Hackers and Cyber Attacks
I hope you will find these tips useful for ensuring your computer’s security. As my motive was to share some ways to keep your computer safe from Hackers and Cyber Attacks, I haven’t included ‘Take Regular Backup’ tip here but it’s a most preferred way to avoid such situation where you have left with no option to restore the necessary data.
