More than ever people are concerned about their security online, as it seems like there are constantly stories in the news about cyber attacks and new forms of malicious software. In particular, ransomware and other forms of malware attacks have been on the rise in recent years. However, there are steps that you can take to keep your computer and your sensitive data safe when you are online. Here are just a few tips to help get you started.
Keep Your Software Updated
One of the most important things that you can do is to keep the software on your computer, as well as your operating system, updated. Software companies put out updates and patches that help to update the program’s security and that helps to protect customers. If you ignore these updates, you are putting yourself at risk of coming under a cyber attack. It is particularly important that you keep your antivirus software updated. You may even want to consider setting this program to automatically update so that you have maximum protection.
Use Strong Passwords
To stay safe online, it is particularly important that you use strong, complex passwords that have a mix of numbers, letters (both lower and uppercase), and symbols. While this may seem obvious to many people, you may be surprised to learn that even with cyber attacks on the rise, the most common passwords people use are “password” and “12345678”. Try to come up with a unique password for your online accounts, and remember to reset your passwords every 3-6 months as this will maximize your security.
Use a Pop-Up Blocker
You will also want to make sure that you are running a pop-up blocker when you are online. While most web browsers have built-in pop-up blockers, you may want to consider adding a pop-up blocker if you regularly encounter pop-ups. The most important thing to remember if you do encounter pop-ups is not to click on the links within them as they likely contain viruses or malware.
Following these tips can help you to increase your cybersecurity. Contact us to learn more about things you can do to stay safe online.
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