The moment you turn on your computer and log onto the internet you immediately become vulnerable to attacks and viruses that are everywhere online. Hackers are always looking for opportunities to hack into your computer to steal your valuable information like your bank account information. Therefore, you need to take all the necessary security precautions to keep yourself and your data safe from hackers as they use modern methods to invade your privacy.
In order to keep yourself safe, you need to test the security of your computer to ensure that your computer can defend against the attacks and will be able to tackle the viruses.
Here are some of the ways to check your computer for security:
1. PC Settings
The first tool at your disposal is Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. This tool is free and it helps to examine Windows and Microsoft Office for any threats or potential problems. This security analyzer will also test the passwords for your accounts in order to check if the passwords that you have entered are strong or weak because weak passwords are very easy for hackers to crack, which means they can easily steal your data. Moreover, Microsoft Security Analyzer will also check the settings of your account to see if your computer is all set for automatic updates or not. Updating your computer on a regular basis is very important for guarding against online threats. The latest version of Windows includes fixes and solutions to problems that were in the previous version.
In addition to this, the analyzer is well-known for checking your computer for viruses and it is capable of showing you the folders that are ready for sharing with others. You should send files to others only after scanning them for viruses in order to detect any threats. Similarly, before receiving files from other sources, you should check them and make sure that they are clean from all sorts of viruses, spyware, and malware.
2. Download and Install Plugins for Your Browser
It is extremely important to keep your internet browser safe at all times. The latest version of your browser has additional features with better security and better protection against cybercriminals. With the latest internet browser, you should have useful plugins downloaded onto your computer and ready to be used. The plugins that you use should be updated regularly because an old browser with outdated plugins will leave your computer vulnerable to attacks. You can check new updates for your browser by going to Mozilla Plugin Checker. This will show you all the applications and plugins downloaded and installed. The plugin checker works for every internet browser so you don’t have to worry about its compatibility, and with Charter Cable Deals you will be able to learn more about plugins and how to speed up your work using the latest plugins for your internet browser.
3. Testing Firewall
One of the most important security setups in the operating system is the firewall, which is a built-in feature, and it comes in Windows and Mac operating systems in order to enhance the security of the computer. A firewall protects your computer so that cyber threats do not attack your computer.
However, firewalls are not always safe and as technology has advanced, hackers have developed different ways to beat the firewall in various operating systems, which means that you need to have a backup plan to deal with cybercriminals in case of an emergency. Moreover, viruses on your computer can change the settings of your protection and firewall, allowing cybercriminals to enter your computer and steal the information that is valuable and important. Therefore, you need to test your computer’s firewall in order to ensure the safety of your data.
4. Delete Files Permanently
When you delete files from your computer, you actually do not delete them but send them to a recycle bin from where you can restore them whenever you want to. If you are dealing with sensitive information that has to be removed from your computer, it’s better to delete it permanently so that nobody can have access to that information again. You can permanently delete files on your computer by Press and Hold SHIFT and DELETE. When you delete files permanently from your computer, you need to check your computer to confirm that the deleted files are actually removed and there is no duplicate of that file on your computer.
5. Improve Your Facebook Settings
Nowadays, a lot of people store personal information and data on Facebook, which means that this social networking site is packed with your pictures, personal and financial information. You should check your Facebook settings regularly to ensure that your account is fully protected and safe. Facebook has recently introduced a new feature known as ‘View As.’ This tool allows you to see your profile picture the way it appears to the public. This new feature is extremely useful in spotting privacy issues and other problems with your account which you can easily manage.
6. Check Cloud Settings
Computers are not the only place where you store your data. Since the emergence of cloud computing, more than 70% of users store their personal and confidential information and data on clouds because they offer good storage space which protects data. It is extremely important to check the settings of your cloud accounts on a regular basis to ensure that your data is safe and secure from hackers and other cybercriminals.
In addition to this, you should consider locking your online accounts with a Two-Factor Authentication which enhances the security of your account because it requires two concrete steps that have to be performed before you can have access to your account. First, you need to enter your password, which is something that you should know, and secondly, you need to enter the code which is sent to your smartphone which is something that you have with you at all times and no one else has access to.
