How to protect your computer from hacking

Today I want to step away from the usual focus of my articles and bring up a topic that, in my opinion, is no less important than spiritual development or personal transformation…

I’m talking about the SECURITY of your computer and the information you store on it.

I don’t consider myself a big expert on this matter, BUT I can give a few timely recommendations.

I’d be grateful if you add to the list of precautions in the comments to the article!

See also On safety in social networks
Just like anywhere else, social networks have their pitfalls. That’s exactly what I want to talk about today. So, what you shouldn’t do on social media…

1. Install antivirus protection

Every computer/laptop connected to the internet must have a program installed that protects your computer from viruses and trojans.

The new generation of antivirus protection not only blocks access to malicious sites but also checks messages sent to you in email, download links, and prevents intrusion into your computer from outside.

I myself am a fan of paid solutions, like Kaspersky antivirus, but there are also time-tested free programs.

If your budget doesn’t have extra funds, you can use the avast! antivirus program, it does its job quite well.

2. Regularly update your operating system and programs

Any program has security “holes” that its developers overlooked, and which over time become known to attackers.

So your task is: regularly download updates for programs and browsers.

This not only increases your computer’s protection but also improves its performance.

3. Download files only from reliable/trusted sources

This especially applies to fans of “freebies”…

If you love downloading music, movies, books, programs for free online, only use trusted sites (reviews on the file download page will help you determine how safe and reliable a site is).

And be sure to check the file with an antivirus program before downloading, and check it again before opening it on your computer.

Rule for those who actively use Skype and social networks:

Never click on links or files sent to you

a) from people you don’t personally know,

b) without a signature or explanation of what it is.

Viruses transmitted via Skype are hard to detect even with a good antivirus, so be careful!

4. Protect your personal data

Many people don’t even realize how cunning and resourceful attackers can be… and just because you take the security and protection of your computer seriously doesn’t mean others behave the same way….

— Do not share passwords for your accounts (registrations in email accounts, online services, websites, including “Keys of Mastery”) with third parties.

— If you are forced to go online from someone else’s computer (for example, from a friend’s laptop or an internet cafe) and enter your personal data, don’t forget to check the box Someone else’s computer (when logging into email) and click End session when leaving the authorization page.

If you receive an email asking you to change or verify your personal data, before entering your information, carefully examine WHO sent you this email and WHERE the link in it leads.

I have received emails supposedly from the Paypal payment system with the same design and branding, but leading to a completely “fake” site… In my simple-mindedness and own carelessness, it’s very easy to hand over payment details to scammers. Stay vigilant!

5. Use strong passwords

Here we are at the reason that prompted me to write this material.

PASSWORDS

Passwords for email inboxes, social network profiles, online programs, services, internet banks, websites, etc.

Each of you, I am sure, has between 10 and 100 registrations in various services…

With all the will in the world, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to remember that many passwords?!

What does the majority of internet users do? They remember ONE password and use it EVERYWHERE!

This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE

Moreover, unskilled internet users most often use something familiar instead of passwords, something they can never forget.

Namely, their date of birth, their last name, phone number, or passport details… And then they wonder where, for example, the money disappeared from their Yandex wallet, where the password was their date of birth (a real case).

The security rule is simple: one registration — one password.

And a RELIABLE password is at least 8 characters, including a capital letter and a number.

To avoid writing dozens of passwords on a piece of paper (which will inevitably get lost someday), I recommend EVERYONE install any program for saving and protecting passwords.

Personally, I use the Last Pass program, which not only saves all the passwords you enter but also helps generate new strong passwords.

The program is in Russian, free, and you can download it via the link.

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These are just a few recommendations from my personal experience, but even they will help increase the level of security on your computer, and therefore, your sense of safety while being in this beautiful world!

P.S. I almost forgot… If you have children who actively use the internet, know that you should run a full computer scan with antivirus programs much more often. My daughter loves mail.ru games, and as a result, we catch dozens of viruses every month—luckily, she has her own laptop…

For small children, it’s worth enabling the “Parental Control” mode, which blocks the possibility of accessing pornographic sites or sites with a questionable reputation.