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
