Site Search

Get Luxury News by Email

Live the Good Life

Categories more

Sections

Other

How to Safeguard Your Computer

Be the first to review this item!

Published
10/23/2017

Identity fraud is, unfortunately, becoming increasingly common. Unless you take the steps to protect your computer, you could fall foul to identity theft. To protect your details, read our top tips on how to safeguard your computer.

Keep Your Laptop Out of Sight

Never leave your laptop unattended, especially if you are using your computer in a public place. If you move out of the same room as your device, we recommend storing it somewhere safely out of sight, which will prevent prying hands from stealing your computer or vital data.

Delete Files from an Unwanted Computer

There will come a time when you will want to say goodbye to a computer, either because it is slow, broken or you simply want a fresher model. If you do decide to get rid of a computer, you must ensure all data is wiped clean from the hard drive to ensure your important files don’t fall into the wrong hands. We, therefore, recommend finding the best Secure Data Recovery location for a professional media disposal and destruction.

Avoid Leaving Files Open

Regardless of whether you are online or offline, you must never leave files with sensitive information open when you walk away from a computer. If you are offline, anyone else who is in the room will be able to view the important information. If you are online, it is possible that your computer can be hacked and, as a result, your data could be stolen.

Create a Complex Password

Every computer should feature a unique surname, password or personal identification number that is not obvious. Everyone who uses the computer must, therefore, enter the pin, so they will be authorized to gain access to your software and files. You could even time for a screensaver to automatically set if your computer has been inactive for a select period, so a user would have to enter the password or pin to return to the desktop.

To create a strong password, we recommend incorporating one capital letter, one number and a special character, such as Banana@2. Never use your Social Security number, birthdate, or pet name as a password, as it might be possible for a computer hacker or someone you know to guess.

Install a Firewall Program

Install a firewall program that can simply filter all information before it gains access to your computer. As you will more than likely use the internet, you should ensure both the firewall and network are encrypted. Visit an office-supply store to choose from the best firewalls for your personal computer.

Install Antivirus & Spyware Programs

Keyloggers will attempt to utilize any information you type on your computer for their own gain, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and more. Keep keyloggers at bay by installing an antivirus and spyware protection program onto a computer system. You can, therefore, type in your personal details safe in the knowledge that your computer and identity are both protected.

Comments