Tips to protect your computer against cyber attacks or hacks can be summarized based on the following heads.
The following are top 16 tips to protect data against cyber attacks.
1. OPERATING SYSTEM
Ensure you use an original operating system for maximum security. Also do your best to ensure that your OS is up-to-date.
2. AUTOMATIC UPDATES
Well, it depends on you. This is not compulsory. However, automatic updates ensure that your system has the best virus definition possible.
3. MANUAL UPDATES
If you don't wish to have automatic updates enabled, endeavor to check for updates manually once in a while. Say, one or two times in two weeks. This is entirely up to you.
4.RELIABLE ANTIVIRUS
Well, this is obvious. Ensure you have a reliable antivirus installed on your computer. They protect your data against attacks and identify vulnerabilities. It is highly recommended to have antivirus installed on your computer. If you use Windows OS (especially Windows 10), Windows Defender is very efficient. This doesn't mean you shouldn't install or try out Third-Party Software but this is entirely up to you. Personally, I have been using my computer with just the standard Windows Defender ever since I bought it, still yet to encounter a problem. I always install updates.
5. BACKUP
Data Backup is very important. Ensure you back your data up regularly, preferably to a Flash-Drive or any external drive other than the Computer itself.
6. CLOUD BACKUP
You can save your important files to OneDrive. Pretty cool. If the attack comes, you have nothing to worry about.
7. CONFIGURATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Always ensure you have the correct configuration for your equipment and systems. FOR EXAMPLE, Wifi routers and Servers.
8. PASSWORDS
Ensure you always use passwords that are not easy for others to guess.
9. TURN ON FIREWALL
Firewalls help to identify hack or cyber attack attempts. Ensure you always have your Firewall turn on for the maximum security.
10. SSL CERTFICATES
It is a good practice to check the SSL certificate of the website you visit. Certificates help users to identify whether a website is secure or not. SSL certificates prevent users from fraud and their data from being stolen.
11. INSTALLATION OF THIRD-PARTY PROGRAMS
It is a fact that many software have malware bundled with them. Always install programs that are signed or authorized via CodeSign Certificates. Please run third-party software with absolute caution. If you must install such programs (those that are not signed), make sure you do some research about it on the internet first.
12.YOUR DATA GOT STOLEN
If your data got corrupted by the hacker, there are International Initiatives that provides various methods through which you can recover your files. Ensure you search the internet for that.
13. NEVER PAY MONEY TO HACKERS
There is no guarantee that your files will be recovered, so why pay them?
14. DOWNLOADS
Before you download that software, ensure you read up some reviews about them.
15. TOOLS TO RECOVER YOUR FILES
There are free and paid software that can help you recover your files. Look them up.
16. YOUR ACCOUNT GOT HACKED: WHAT TO DO
If you discover your account has been hacked, quickly change your passwords on other services. This is to prevent further attacks. One more thing on passwords, don't you the same password on all your special accounts on the internet. Use different passwords on all services. You can write down the passwords in your diary. Final note, don't save your Credit pin number in computers and cell-phones.
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