In the modern times like this a computer is one of the most necessary machines a person could ever have. It is used for safekeeping files, managing the business, storage for photos and important documents, videos and a whole lot more. But having a computer also requires that the user take necessary precaution against computer problem attacks such as viruses and other malware, online scams and information security. Every day, more than a thousand people are being scammed all over the world through the internet. This happens because most users do care much on what information they share online.
When going online, one must note that the internet is a web of information about everything there is to know in the world and beyond. So getting online means that the user is opening up to a very vast possibility of getting into a big trouble. This article will help you protect yourself from such fraudulent activities by remembering the most common steps on what to do to stay secure while staying online.
Have multiple passwords
Every online account requires a username and a password. Make your password personal, and multiple. Do not just use one password for every account you have but make sure you remember each one of them. Never make your social networking site’s password be the same as the access code you use for your online banking account and never let your computer remember those codes. That could easily be accessed by anyone that uses your computer, even those who aren’t tech-savvy.
Never open or click on strange links just because their titles are catchy
If you do not know or you haven’t heard about the link, just ignore them. Strange links usually carry malicious software like virus or spyware that could enter your computer by installing itself once you have clicked on the link. Do not be taken away just because someone you did not know sent you a link about something in your email. These kinds of email are usually spam or junk that contains spywares and are sent to plenty of people by scammers so they could easily collect bits of information from your computer.
Scams that use real emails
Other scams use almost real emails that say it came from your bank or any financial sites you have signed up to. Remember, your bank will only send you email after you have done a transaction online or that you have subscribed to their weekly newsletter. These types of fraud emails are commonly called as phishing scams. Phishing is one way of getting private information from you such as usernames, credit card numbers and passwords by sending you a supposed-to-be trustworthy email.
Always scan your computer from malwares
Free your computer from virus attacks by regularly scanning it with your updated anti-virus scanner. Virus and other malwares always find a way to enter a computer somehow so a regular or scheduled scan takes the problem away and try to avoid installing just another program from the internet because you liked it. Some viruses are often hidden in downloaded files from the internet.
Not using P2P or peer-to-peer software also does well to your computer
P2P software is one of the most common ways for virus to enter and infect your computer. Limewire, for example is P2P software that you can use to download movies and music from one person to you computer over the internet. Plenty of virus and other dangerous files are also uploaded via P2P in a different name and once you have it, may damage your computer.
Lastly, the simple deletion of browser history, cookies and caches prevent you from being a victim of scams because it eradicates your computer of the passwords and logins you have used as well as the computing habits that you have that could be used against you.
By simply keeping these six steps in mind, one can be sure of their security even when online.
