Knowing the basics of computer security is essential to understand how to protect your PC from viruses and also to surf the internet without risking data intrusions or thefts. This is important because computer security is 99% dependent on user awareness and prudent use of programs and the internet. It is therefore not enough to install two or three antiviruses, but one must know what are the dangers to be kept away and, above all, what one must and must not do to defend personal data, accounts and computer integrity. Here we see the mistakes not to be made and the basic operations to keep the PC, the system, the programs and the internet surfing protected, both in theory and in practice.
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1) If anyone can use our computer, our data is always at risk .
The basis of computer security lies in the protection of the computer or phone or any other device that contains personal data, so that they do not end up under the eyes of strangers.
In a practical sense, this means that a password-protected personal account must always be used on the computer, which is not used by other people, even family members.
In this regard, I remember the guide Protecting website accounts so as not to lose their possession and the guide on how to create accounts on Windows.
2) Refuse any offer of installation or registration and registration of data by unknown subjects .
If an unknown site asks us to install a program, a plugin or to register by entering personal data, it is absolutely to be avoided.
For example, never install players, extensions or plugins from streaming video sites and adopt any strategy to defend against junk or malicious programs for the PC
3) Protect yourself from any possible alteration of the operating system by programs or malware
On a Windows PC, administrator access is protected by user account control (UAC) which prevents unauthorized installations of programs that modify system files.
Obviously the user can always force these installations and go back to point 2.
4) Using strong passwords is critical for cyber security at all levels
Having a strong password means using as a password not an easy-to-remember or dictionary word, but a sequence of letters, numbers and symbols that have no relation to each other.
We have seen, in another article, how to generate complex and strong passwords, which are different for each account and for each site, which are also easy to remember.
Alternatively, you can also use one of the password manager apps, which allows you to store all accounts with different passwords and impossible to remember, behind a single master password, which becomes the one to always be entered.
It is also very important to activate two-factor authentication, where possible.
5) Software updates are critical for cyber security
Updates to the operating system, PC programs or applications on smartphones must always be made because, almost always, they include bug fixes that close the discovered security vulnerabilities. For this reason, it is highly discouraged to use devices with a system no longer updated by its manufacturer (such as Android 4 or Windows XP). Having an updated web browser is essential for internet security, just as keeping an antivirus updated is essential for keeping your computer safe from the latest malware (having an out-of-date antivirus is like not having it). Keep in mind that even the best of software has unknown security vulnerabilities.
6) Using an antivirus is essential on Windows PCs
While antivirus is not necessary on smartphones as the iOS and Android operating systems are armored by changes on the system, Windows, as seen in points 2 and 3, can still be affected by one of the many malware designed to steal data or to take hostage the PC.
Antivirus is mandatory to install for everyone because malware can be hidden in the code of web pages, they are often online somewhere ready to hit if they find a security hole and most of them leave no trace and are not recognizable without an antivirus.
Luckily, Microsoft today includes an antivirus in Windows 10, which updates automatically and works quite well.
If you want better protection, you can install one of the best free antivirus for PC.
7) Complete security does not exist and will never exist and this applies to all computers, Linux, Mac and Windows, for programs and for any device that can connect to the internet. Security, therefore, is not just buying the latest technological evolution but trying to prevent problems. In the end, ignorance is more than carelessness, the main cause of danger and justifying oneself with "I don't understand anything" is completely useless. Everyone, in their own small way, if they want to use a computer or anything else safely and well, must learn to use it even just by reading these basic guides.
READ ALSO: if we are protected enough on the internet and if the PC is safe
