Protecting a Computer

Protecting a Computer

-Dr. Lalit Kumar

The awareness of the internet changed the world into a place on satellite to connect with each other with networking. It opened the doors for new opportunities and it also created problems to keep the data safe in a computer especially when there is private information in the computer. How to keep a computer protected and avoid theft of data from it, is a challenge before us? There are threats to the privacy of each person having his/her computer access to the internet. As it is a must to keep the windows updated, use antivirus software with updates, and use social media platforms for official/personal purposes; it is not possible to keep the computer disconnected from the Internet. In such circumstances what to do for keeping a computer protected from threats of data theft or virus from the internet or any other misuse of data from the computer?

A. Good Updated Anti-Virus:

When a computer is purchased from the market, it comes with antivirus software. Even if it is not with antivirus software, it is always better to have good antivirus software purchased from the market and install the same. Suppose Quick Heal is purchased and installed on the computer, it is necessary that it is updated at regular intervals so that the new threats can be controlled. There are two types of antivirus, one for total security and the second for internet security.

In case, your computer is used for operations without much use of the internet then it is better to purchase total security software and in case, your computer is used for operations of the internet every day, then it is better to purchase internet security software.

Most of the persons always search the internet for free software. However, there are a few good antivirus software available free of cost, but there are many other antivirus software that is available free of cost and steals the private information automatically in the background after few days. It is always better to purchase good antivirus software if you want to keep your data safe from hackers.

B. Updates from Microsoft:

We are all aware that updates in Windows, Android, iOS, etc. are very important. Such updates not only fix the security holes in the operating systems but also safeguard them from potential future threats. It is important to keep such updates whenever provided by Microsoft or other companies to whom the software belongs. Even the setting in the computer or devices should be to automatic downloading of the updates and install them promptly.

In Windows, go to control panel and click upon Windows Updates; the second alternative way is to right-click My Computer and select Properties; then select Windows Updates:

C. Protect Computer from Malware:

Whenever we install any app or software on PC, sometimes, there are a few apps automatically be downloaded and installed. Even most of the time, whenever we do surfing of internet, a few websites convince you to install free apps and after installing such apps, pop-up windows started to open in the computer automatically and even the speed of the computer is slow.

Yes, such behavior of computer is mostly due to malware on the computer which not only tracks your web surfing but also tries to track your useful information and try to do wrong practices on your system in the background. It means if your computer is slow and its behavior is not normal and it is running commands without your full permission, then there is malware in the computer. How to protect from malware?

First of all, keep your pop up blocked except for some important useful websites including Microsoft, Government Web portals of your use, and Web portals which are considered safest and trusted by you.

It is important to download and install scanner and run a full scan of the Computer whenever it is found that computer speed is being slow without any reason.

D. Using Trusting Email Clients and Web Browsers Only

Most of the time, when we use an untrusted default browser or any untrusted email client; it becomes normal to face the complications in doing normal internet operations on the Computer. Prefer to use Google Chrome, Firefox, Mozilla, etc. as these are trusted web browsers. However, internet explorer is also trusted but due to unpatched vulnerabilities, it is better to stop using internet explorer. If you are fond of Internet Explorer, then it is a must to scan and check for updates at regular intervals.

No need to say that spam filters should be used on emails and the attachments from untrusted sources should not be opened for the security of computers. Sometimes computer speed becomes slow and users prefer to use the HTML version of the email client as the version also runs smoothly in slow-speed internet connections. Avoid using the HTML version of email clients because the chances of hidden tracking information and hacking become more in the HTML version of the email. The HTML version of email doesn’t have strong spam filter facilities.

It is well known that email scams ask for confidential information such as your passwords, credit card or debit card information, etc., therefore, beware of such emails and move them into spam folder so that in future, such email cannot come in the primary folder of your email.

E. Keep Firewall Turn On for Security Always

The Windows firewall stops inbound traffic and keeps the speed of the computer fast. However, it is recommended to install a firewall that stops outbound traffic also such as Zone Alarm or Sygate Personal Firewall. These both are available free of cost and can be downloaded from zonelabs.com and smb.sygate.com respectively.

F. Change the password of Wireless Networks

If you are using a wireless network, for security concerns it is mandatory to change the password of the router are regular intervals. Even, the Wireless Encryption of both WEP and WPA should be enabled to encrypt the transmitted information between computer and router. Changing the wireless network name can also safeguard from potential threats of data theft.

Still facing any issue on your computer, kindly raise your query here. I will like to respond to your query. Thanks. 

*Copyright © 2021 Dr. Lalit Kumar. All rights reserved.

This article is written by Dr. Lalit Kumar Setia; a renowned author and trainer. The article was published on 11th September 2021 and last updated on 11th September 2021. The writer can be contacted on lalitkumarsetia@gmail.com 

Next Articles on Computer Applications:

https://successinexamination.blogspot.com/2021/03/computer-applications-microsoft-windows.html 

and

https://recovermyhealth.blogspot.com/2018/01/everything-about-computer-viruses-and.html