Cyber Security : How to Keep Your Computer Safe Most people use at least one computer these days; some might even be using more than one. The computer has become an important tool in our lives and helps us get things done. However, at the same time, using a computer without adequate cyber security solutions is not a wise thing to do. There are hundreds of thousands of hackers and cyber criminals trying to gain access to computers every day. Knowing how to stay safe online is an important part of using the computer today. Here are a couple of recommendations. Use Security Software You must install and maintain proper security software on your computer to keep it safe. There are no two ways about it. Get a good antivirus program and run it on your computer. You can also install and run Identity Finder to help you search for, protect and dispose of any personal information stored on your computer, external media, and files. Principle of Least Privilege Do not log into a computer with full administrator rights unless you have to perform specific tasks that require administrative rights. Using your computer with full administrator rights leaves it vulnerable to exploits and security risks. Hackers can easily access computers running with administrative rights can delete your files, reformat your hard drive, and create new user accounts with administrative rights. Software Updates Your computer requires the latest software updates to continue working properly. Make sure you have turned on automatic updates for your computer and install the updates when prompted. Backup Files Backing up your data is very important and helps in the event of a system crash or virus attack. You can back up your files either in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Avoiding Threats There are a couple of things you can do to keep your computer free from threats online. •
Do not share your password with anyone, including family, friends, or the computer support personnel. When creating a password, do not use the name of your spouse, pet, birth date or your name for that matter.
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Do not click on random links you see while browsing websites. Clicking on links can allow viruses to attack your computer. Verify the site and the link before you click anything.
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Do not open any unsolicited links or attachments you might receive in the mail. If you notice anything suspicious, delete it without opening the link.
Omar Todd has been in the cyber security business for several years and serves on the council at the ICTTF