recommendations to protect your computer

10 basic recommendations to protect your computer against threats

How many times have you despaired and wanted to get rid of your computer because it began to fail, it did not let you use a program or it was extremely slow? Relax, you are not the only one. Unfortunately, these situations occur quite frequently, mainly due to our often naive behavior on the Internet.

Our behavior on the network can end up billing us in the form of a virus or computer attack that prevents us from using some functions, deletes information or stored files or even violates our privacy.

There is no magic formula that eliminates the risk of this happening, but we can follow some recommendations with which the chances of "infection" of our device can be considerably reduced.

As we did in the case of mobiles, today we give you 10 essential security tips to keep your computer protected. Although these suggestions are indicated for devices that use Windows, the most used operating system and also the most exposed to threats, they can be extrapolated to other systems such as Linux or macOS.

1 - Have an antivirus and keep it updated

This is probably the most important recommendation. It is essential to have a good antivirus and antipysware to help you protect your device against threats such as Trojans, spyware ...

Although this tool is not a 100% secure shield against the most dangerous viruses, it is the most effective with low or medium level attacks, which are the most widespread on the other hand. Remember that for its correct operation, like the rest of the applications or programs that you have installed on your computer, the antivirus has to be updated periodically.

2 - Update the software periodically

This is another of the tips that must be followed to the letter. Although many times we are reluctant to update our software due to laziness or even ignorance, we must understand that its outdated implies greater vulnerability, since usually the latest versions provide greater protection and the solution of bugs of previous versions.

Therefore, it is a great idea to have applications that check if there are available updates to our software and recommend their download.

3 - Use strong passwords and change them regularly

Although many times we despair that passwords must contain uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols and must have at least 8 characters, these requirements have an explanation. The more difficult the password, the greater the security. In this sense, it is important that we use secure passwords in those applications that require it, especially those that contain confidential personal information.

In addition, it is advisable not to use the same password in all our accounts, since any identity theft in one of them could lead to unlimited access to all the others.

4 - Beware of attachments and strange links in emails

Be wary of strange or unknown emails, especially if they contain links or attachments, is another of the essential tips. Furthermore, if an email seems suspicious, even if it comes from someone we know, it is always advisable to make sure that it is safe by consulting directly with the person who sent it to us.

In most operating systems there are applications to analyze our email and rule out possible threats.

5 - Disconnect the Internet when not necessary

Most infections occur when the device is connected to the network, as the malware performs its actions by communicating with servers or by forwarding information using open ports on its connection. Therefore, disconnecting the Wi-Fi connection when you are using the computer for other purposes and also before turning it off is recommended.

6 -Avoid private operations on public and open networks

It seems like obvious advice, but the reality is that on occasion we have been forced to use a public network to carry out operations that put confidential information and data at risk, as is the case with banking transactions. On these occasions it is advisable to share the connection but not the data. If due to an urgency, you find yourself in the need to compromise your personal information and there is the possibility of using more secure servers, do so.

7 - Check the security of the Wi-Fi network used

This recommendation is closely linked to the previous one and is that, in the same way that we must try to avoid public networks when we carry out certain actions, we must also keep in mind to review the security of our usual network at home. In this sense, although wireless or wireless networks are increasingly popular, in terms of security, wired networks are preferable.

8 - Close the session when finished

Although it is true that it is much more comfortable to keep our sessions open in most applications, since this way we do not have to re-enter our username and password every time we want to enter, this is not a very good idea. We must get used, even more so in shared computers, to log out, especially in applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Gmail ... It would not be the first time that someone has seen their identity be impersonated or personal data stolen for leaving a session open.

9 - Make backup copies

Have you ever stopped to think what would happen if you lost all the content on your computer? Sometimes, the action of a virus, malicious users or, simply, due to failures in the operating system, we can lose photos, files, confidential information. Therefore, making backup copies is a great idea and will save us on more than one occasion. Having an external hard drive with a backup copy or uploading what we consider essential to the cloud is a good preventive measure.

10 - Teach those who share a computer with us and create different users

Taking care of the security of our devices is an attitude that we must instill in those who share it with us. It is always positive to explain basic safety concepts and behaviors to these people, since the more informed they are, the less they will be exposed on the network. In this sense, it is a good practice to create different users on the same computer and for each person to use theirs.

Following these recommendations can help reduce the threats that both novice and experienced users are exposed to. But also, remember that you can always ask for help from a professional who will advise you in the world of security and privacy on the Internet. This is the case of some insurance products such as MGS Hogar Habitual, which has remote Home Computer Assistance coverage with which IT professionals will give you assistance in protecting your technological devices and applications against security and privacy threats.