One constant question that plagues the mind is: how to secure your PC from hackers? Our computers are an asset. How? They have invaluable personal data. Data can be potentially dangerous and problematic if it is in the hands of the wrong person. Yes, we understand that not all data is that crucial, but almost everyone has banking information or personal address and other information on their computer that must be protected against hackers and perpetrators.
Gone are the days when you needed to install that irritating antivirus software on your computer to protect your data and your software from malware. That doesn’t mean that the threat doesn’t exist. You still need to protect your PC from attacks and viruses out there. Antiviruses aren’t just expensive nowadays, they are also pretty annoying due to the unlimited number of ads and extensions they come with.
If you’re asking-how can I secure my PC without an antivirus? We’ve got a list of measures that you can take to ensure your data is protected.
Do Not Ignore Systems and Security Updates
Are you also super annoyed when a pop up interrupts your work and tells you that Windows is ready for your updates and you need to restart the computer to install them? Yeah, us too. But, actually ignoring these updates may cost you heavily. The reason Windows prompts you for an update is because it has identified some security loopholes in the software. These loopholes are open ground for hackers to get a hold of your information.
So your answer to what’s the best way to protect my PC is simple: don’t ignore updates. Make sure you are wary of fake updates. Hackers can develop these and send them to your computer and get access to it. Whatever actions you take on your machine need to be carefully analyzed.
Be Suspicious
This is the easiest and most taken for granted practice. Be suspicious and be careful. Especially if you are one of the people that regularly asks – How can I protect my PC for free?.
Did you know that, as of 2021, due to the pandemic, cybercrime in the USA has increased by 600%? The most cost-effective way is to simply be cautious about any suspicious emails, websites, or notifications that may contain trackers or malware. Remember that criminals are constantly trying to fool spam filters, so you need to be very careful about every email you receive.
Use a VPN software for Windows:
One of the best ways to protect your data and your PC is to use VPN software for Windows. VeePN offers a VPN for Windows that ensures all your online data is protected from theft. Any user connecting with you will have to connect with a remote server before they reach you, and this keeps your data safe. You can download a free trial of the software and try it out for yourself. A VPN will help you mask your IP so it isn’t even picked up by your ISP.
Always Choose Unique and Strong Passwords
One of the biggest data protection mistakes we make is choosing predictable passwords and using the same password across all our devices and our software. Do not do this. If a hacker predicts a common password, that’s all your data gone in a jiffy.
Always refrain from choosing passwords that will be easily cracked and use a combination of numbers, symbols, letters, uppercase and lowercase letters to deter attackers. Do not store your password data on Google sheets or an excel sheet. Use a secure location that can not be hacked. Like an online vault that has a specific keyphrase.
This is the most critical feedback we can give to people that ask us “how to secure your PC from hackers?”
Take a Look at those Browser Settings
Our browser is probably that innocent looking software that we don’t pay much attention to, but beware, it could be the culprit behind your data breach. Browsers have settings that allow you to restrict information transfer to and from the web.
They have the option to block cookies that track your browsing behavior. Unfortunately, some of these settings are already disabled by default and you may not know it, but your activities are being tracked by websites.
Make sure you check the settings of your browser and disable any such features from tracking your browsing history. If possible, always use the private or incognito mode in the browser.
Enable Your Windows Firewall
Ah, the firewall, that inbuilt defence system that we always seem to take for granted. It can be your very best friend to protect you from unwanted attacks and malware. It protects your computer from threats on different networks and prevents data theft from your computers and unnecessary transfer of information.
It automatically closes all ports when you connect to a network, so you don’t have to do this manually. This means that any malicious data or software that is sent your way through a public network won’t be processed by the ports and this will be a huge life saver for you and your data.
So the next time you ask how I can protect my PC, enable that firewall immediately.
Encrypt Your Data
So, this isn’t exactly free, but if you have really high-profile data and things that absolutely can not be compromised, then it is best to encrypt your data with passwords using a paid encryption software. Since decrypting will be expensive for the hacker, they will be deterred from stealing this data in the first place.
So, there you have it. These are some cost-effective measures that you can take to protect your data across the board. Apart from using VPN software for Windows, you need to have workshops and onboarding sessions for your employees and partners on the topic of data protection and have strict data protection drills in the organization, just to be safe.
