It’s no secret that cyber security is a growing concern. With the increasing number of data breaches and high-profile attacks, it has become clear that every individual needs to take steps to protect themselves online. Also, protecting your physical computer would save you if someone got hold of it to render it inaccessible. So what are some of the ways you can secure your computer?
- Zero-Trust Architecture
In a zero-trust architecture, every computer is assumed to be compromised by default. One does not know whether the machine one interacts with is trustworthy or not. In this type of system, security verification happens all the time and at different network stack layers. It ensures that only authenticated users can access specific resources and no one else gets access. You may find out more about zero trust architecture employed in the cloud.
- Security Updates and Antivirus Software
As mentioned in the beginning, cyber security is a growing concern. The best way to deal with this is to regularly update your computer’s software and install an antivirus (anti-malware) application. If you are using Windows, Microsoft recommends allowing for automatic updates as they constantly update their security.
- Password Manager
Passwords give authentication, not authorization. It is pretty easy for nefarious persons to guess your password, especially if you use dictionary words like ‘password,’ ‘admin,’ etc. This makes it easy for them because people usually use the same password everywhere.
It would help if you changed your password every 90 days to something more difficult to guess. Use a password manager to change your passwords constantly.
- Installing Updates on Your Computer’s OS and Software
Updating the operating systems of your computer ensures that hackers cannot hack your application.
- Back Up Critical Files
Back up critical files like pictures and videos on a separate hard drive. Data backups ensure that anything happens to your computer; you can always restore those photos and videos without being stored on the corrupted machine.
- Using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication is a type of multi-factor authentication where you need two different factors to authenticate. The two factors, in this case, would be:
– Something you know (password or pin) OR have (phone/token)
This is a much better approach than just using your password alone.
- Firewall Software
Firewall software enhances security by blocking all traffic apart from the ones you have added to your list. This makes it very difficult for hackers to get in because usually when trying to access your computer, they will be redirected to a page that says “access denied.”
- Control Access to Your Physical Computer
Giving access to your physical computer to other people should be avoided. This is because you don’t know whether they are legitimate users or not. Only the owner of the machine must have control over who gets access to it.
There’s no doubt that there is a need to increase security when it comes to computers. You can avoid data breaches and attacks with these measures. Make your device more secure by trying out some of the above advice. Also, do not forget this quote “prevention is better than cure.”
