A lot of people often think computer security as something technical, expensive and complicated. But most of the security best practices are actually very simple. Here are the basic, important things you should do to your home and organization computer to make yourself safer online.

 

 

 

Keep Your Firewall Turned On:

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. You can implement a firewall in either hardware or software form, or a combination of both. Firewalls prevent unauthorized internet users from accessing private networks connected to the internet, especially intranets. A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.

 

Vendors providing Firewall Protection:

Barracuda Network : https://www.barracuda.com/ 

Fortinet : https://www.fortinet.com/

Juniper Networks : https://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/security/

Sonic Wall : https://www.sonicwall.com/

 

Install or Update Your Antivirus Software:

The purpose of antivirus (AV) software is to detect, neutralize or eradicate malware (malicious software). AV software not only will identify and destroy the computer virus, but it’s also designed to fight off other kinds of threats such as phishing attacks, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits and more. Antivirus software, or anti-virus software (abbreviated to AV software), also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware. Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the name. Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users’ knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.

Vendors providing Antivirus Protection :

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 : https://www.bitdefender.com/

Norton AntiVirus Basic : https://us.norton.com/ 

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus : https://www.webroot.com/us/en/home

ESET NOD32 Antivirus : https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/

F-Secure Antivirus SAFE : https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home?ecid=10619&afcid=10619

 

Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology:

Anti-spyware is a type of software that is designed to Prevent, Detect and remove unwanted spyware program installations and to remove those programs if installed. Detection may be either rules-based or based on downloaded definition files that identify currently active spyware programs. Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge in order to collect information about them. Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It’s like buying groceries—shop where you trust.

Vendors providing Anti-spyware protection :

Emsisoft Anti–Malware : https://www.emsisoft.com/en/home/antimalware/ 

Spyware Terminator : https://www.spywareterminator.com/ 

Malwarebytes Premium Trial : https://www.malwarebytes.com/trial/

 

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date:

Operating System update are so critical that, it is a mistake that keeps the door open for hackers to access your private information, putting you at risk for identity theft, loss of money, credit, and more. Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection. The recent Equifax data breach, in which 143 million Americans were potentially affected, with Social Security numbers, birth dates, and home addresses exposed. The hackers were able to access the credit reporting agency’s data through a known vulnerability in a web application. A fix for this security hole was actually available two months before the breach, but the company failed to update its software. This was a tough lesson, but one that we can all learn from. Software updates are important because they often include critical patches to security holes.

 

Be Careful What You Download:

Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.

Best practice:

        1. Never reply to spam emails.
        2. Never open attachments in emails that you get from unknown sources.
        3. Always keep your anti-virus up-to-date.
        4. Don’t allow auto-download of programs.
 
 
 
 

Turn Off Your Computer:

Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.

Best practice:

        1. Never reply to spam emails.
        2. Never open attachments in emails that you get from unknown sources.
        3. Always keep your anti-virus up-to-date.
        4. Don’t allow auto-download of programs.

 

 

Last Updated on August 22, 2019 By databracketsIn Events