Greetings!
Last month, we discussed Mac vs. PC
This time: Computer Security
Find more on Blog at GrundigIT.com
As Always, Happy Computing!
— Tom Grundig
Business Computer Security
Computer security has been one of the most relevant and dynamic topics for a number of years. People are wondering how they can make their devices and networks more secure against cyber-threats. Let’s talk about computer security practices that you should definitely consider to stay secure.
Install an Antivirus
The first thing to consider is installing an Antivirus software. If you are a Windows 10 user then Windows defender is already installed and turned on. Antivirus allows you to scan your computer for malicious software such as: viruses, worms, spyware, and trojans. It offers real-time protection, detecting viruses in your downloads and keeping reports of all these actions. The core scanning features are usually available in the free versions.
Update your System
Cyber criminals are constantly coming out with new techniques to exploit vulnerabilities found in operating systems and applications. Keeping your system updated is crucial to patch the newest vulnerabilities that might leave a door open to your computer. If possible, enabling automatic updates is something that you should do.
Know what you download
Accidentally downloading and installing infected software is one of the most common ways to get malware for computer users. Always make sure to download software from websites you know are safe. Let your Antivirus scan a link before you download a file, and, if you are googling for a download, make sure you click on official websites, as many similar URLs can direct you to a fake domain.
Beware of Pop-ups
Popup notifications are something we see all the time when browsing on web. You might be visiting a website and a few pop-ups come up advertising different products; when you get a popup try to close it without clicking inside the pop-up’s window, as it can redirect you to an unsafe website. Another common popup is the fake support popup; You get a notification saying that your computer is infected or such and to call the number on the screen for support. NOTE: Operating systems and antivirus will never tell you about system problems through a browser window, so closing and ignoring those pop-ups is what you should be doing. If you are having trouble closing a pop-up window, use Task Manager to end the task. Learn how to close programs with Task Manager.
Stay away from old Operating Systems
Running older unsupported operating systems means that your computer is unsecured. Because they are no longer supported, old operating system do not get the security updates that are needed to patch known flaws. If you have an aging computer (4 or 5 years old or more) we recommend to upgrade to a new one as soon as possible. Find out if your Windows operating system is still supported.
