With so many things happening concerning computers being hacked and exposing sensitive data, it makes you wonder what you can do to help prevent these malicious attacks.
We have put together a list of 10 different ways you can help prevent your computer being hacked.
1. Use Tor browser
Tor browser allows you to navigate the Web without and prevents sites from detecting your physical location and in theory makes your browsing untraceable. Hackers use your IP address to discover your exact location. This browser could stop that. Win. Learn more at: https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en
2. Install a VPN
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a way to use the Internet and protect your privacy. There are several companies that offer VPN services that can assist with protecting your identity on the web. Each service will offer different options at different price points. Private Internet Access , TorGuard and CyberGhost VPN are a few good places to start if you’re interested in using a VPN service. 3. HushMail
If you’re concerned about email security, you could use a special private email service. Individual plans start from $35 per year, but the company guarantees secure email. Visit https://www.hushmail.com/ to learn more. 4. Data encryption services
Let’s Encrypt is a data encryption service that will do all the dirty work if you’re in the process of building a secure website. Their service will manage all of your site’s certificates and configure it in a way that will keep all of your information safe and sound. The app launches Summer 2015 Learn more at: https://letsencrypt.org/howitworks/ 5. Unique passwords
This sounds like a no brainier, but if the password to your bank account is “PASSWORD” then you probably deserve to be hacked. Create a password that is unique and use special characters if they’re allowed. Avoid common words and names that will make it easy for people to run programs to detect your password. If you’re very concerned, you can change your password once a month or every few days if you’re into that kind of thing. 6. Hide your pictures, hide your files
Another simple way to protect sensitive data on your computer is to simply create folders in different locations.You can also make folders password protected. This technique could be useful if you share a computer with different people and wish to keep your documents safe and sound. 7. Check to see if other devices are connected to your network
Useful and free tools such as iStumbler (for Mac) and Who’s on my Wi-Fi (Windows) provide ways to check if someone is stealing your Internet service.
8. Remove Spyware
There are a few free apps that will help remove malicious spyware and adware from your computer. Once infected, these tiny files help spam sites track your web behavior. You can check out ClamXav (Mac) and Spybot Search and Destroy (Windows) 9. Activate firewalls
Many times we avoid using firewalls on our computers because of the many popups you receive warning you about the content of a webpage. It might be worth it in the long run if you’re concerned about your Internet security. 10. Keep your computers and mobile devices updated with the latest updates
Sometimes we ignore updating our devices because it takes time for updates to download or we might think it’s not worth the download. Many times the download includes critical updates that improve your web security. It’s important to keep your computer updated to receive the latest security fixes.
10 things you need to do if you want to avoid it being hacked
Flickr, Ginnerobot
