With emerging technologies that have improved our lives beyond our imagination, there also comes a security downside that is increasingly evident. This has brought about the need for proper computer security measures, which are now becoming inevitable for all individuals and corporatation using the internet at any given time.

Computer security is a critical component to the well being of your business primarily because it protects all of your information from third parties. It is also important because it helps your machine or device to remain healthy and prevents it from any malware and viruses hence allowing the programs to run smoothly.

Hackers especially target large corporations to find sensitive data that they can use to their advantage. Over the years, there have been so many companies that have either lost business or have had to recover from very costly data breaches.

Here are some potential threats on your computer and important files:

Malware

Malware is a threat that includes viruses and worms that infect your computer. By not properly protecting your computer and files, you are subjecting your device to these worms that will ultimately end up with virus infected files. Malware gets into your computer very quietly and easily as it exploits the vulnerabilities on your systems hence is very hard to notice.

Phishing

There are many tech-savvy con-men and thieves on the internet who are always trying to gain access to data from their target. They use tricks to make people click on their websites, and use spam, email messages, or instant message as a way to ultimately end up divulging your sensitive information to them. The sensitive information they target include bank and credit card information or any access to your personal account.

Spyware

Spyware is a software that allows a user to obtain another user’s information about their computer activities. This is done by transmitting data secretly from their hard drive. Usually, spyware is downloaded from instant messages, email messages, websites and through direct file sharing connections. They typically go unnoticed most of the time. You can avoid spyware by using a secure and reputable program that will actively protect you from other security risks too.

Important tips to keep your computer safe:

Use a VPN

To guarantee your online security, using a virtual private network is essential. A VPN secures your internet connection and does so by using an unencrypted tunnel that hides your location and prevents third parties from eavesdropping. Avast Secureline VPN is effective and reliable as it has high speeds and you are assured of your privacy and security. In addition, it is very easy to use and is pocket-friendly as you can get both the free version and the paid version depending on your preference. Those who have used it, especially the ones who frequently use free Wi-Fi, can attest to the fact that it is one of the best VPNs on the market today.

Back up your data

There are many ways in which you can lose your computer data and it can happen at any time. Your computer may crash, or you may experience an electrical outage or surge. This will cause your machine to eventually shut down resulting in the loss of data. It is always safe to back up your data as often as you can. There are many options where you can back up your data including using an external hard disk or Dropbox.

Check your firewall

This may sound like a complicated process, but always ensure that your firewall is connected and on. A firewall is very important, as it will help monitor and control any incoming and outgoing network traffic. It will protect the traffic based on some already established security rules. In short, a firewall keeps the criminals out, hence your data and your computer remains safe.

Keep off rogue websites

There are plenty of rogue websites on the internet and it can prove quite difficult to identify them or tell them apart from the legitimate websites. Avoid clicking on links that pop up on your page and be very wary of websites that are trying to sell you goods that are from overseas. Lastly, before typing in your URL, always ensure that the site you are visiting has a proper SSL certificate. You can verify if a website is using an SSL certificate if the URL contains HTTPS.

Avoid opening unknown emails

Receiving an email from an unknown sender can be important to check for business development purposes, however, avoiding unknown emails is highly advised.  If you are tempted and end up clicking on the email, avoid opening or downloading any attachment. Hackers use this very easily to get through your machine.

Never share personal or sensitive information

Regardless of the website you are logged in to, it is never advised to share your personal information. It is both unnecessary and will most likely compromise your security in the long run.

Conclusion

Computers are created to increase efficiency and productivity, however, they can also bring an equal amount of harm which will have costly implications for your business if not handled properly. With the various threats such as viruses and malware, it is important to be very cautious about what you do on the internet. You should be more intentional with your personal information and always take the necessary steps required to protect your computer and your data files against hackers.