By Sandford Tuey
If you have concerns about the security and safety of your computers, laptops and mobile devices, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your confidential data a secret. By keeping your Antivirus software current and ensuring you use strong complex passwords for your online financial institutions, cloud storage, Skype, online internet accounts, changing them regularly can protect your data from nasty hackers and malware. Keep the identity thieves from accessing your tech by checking out the following tips:
- Test Your Firewall
Check your firewall by testing the Wifi modem and internet provider by giving them a call and find out what kind of equipment is compatible with their company’s security products. If you have a Windows Operating Systems (especially Windows 7 or 10), locate your control panel and type ‘Firewall’ in the search area. Ensure your firewall is on & connected. For Mac users, click on the Apple icon located on your toolbar, click on ‘System Preferences’, then ‘Security’. Make sure you have a recent firewall product, it is the first line of defense and is considered the moat and thick stone walls around your computer fortress. It is the most important first line of defense against identity theft and other evil entities lurking out on the web. Sharing your folders, digital music & video data may be intercepted or stolen, send them on a secure network or use encrypted software. Disable File and Media Player should you fear your files or folders will be intercepted, duplicated compromised and even viewed by other anarchist users with top of the line computer machines. To be secure contact Max Pro-Tech to secure everything and set your concerns aside.
- Back Up Data Constantly
Your data is extremely important to you and if you own a small home business, critical to your success. Protect all your data by Backing Up often (every day or once a week at the latest). You can schedule this in your Backup program and it is recommended to have it repeat and have it conduct this while you are sleeping or late at night when you do not normally use your devices. If your computer, laptop or mobile device crashes or they are plugged in and there is an electricity power surge or an electrical outage, buy a CSA approved Surge Protector with multiple outlets, it is better than just being plugged directly into a wall socket. Should you fall prey to a Ransomware attack, don’t panic. Immediately call the RCMP and report the crime, then contact Max Pro-Tech to keep your encrypted sensitive data secure. They will want you to unlock your computers so they can research who and where the attack originated from. Backing Up manually is too unreliable, so program your devices to do it automatically. At the least, Back Up once a week (at the latest) on a repeating day so you can transfer important files, documents and folders to an external hard drive, or use a server outside your premises or even a virtual Cloud system. If you have a limited amount of data to store, use a service like Dropbox, where you get 2GB of storage for free.
- Don’t Trust Deals That Are Too Good to Be True
When you locate deals that are surprisingly low priced or a major discount from regular retail prices, beware, their products could be counterfeit or not deliver them at all. Deal with only reputable, well know entities online. You may regret giving your Credit card information to a foreign website and then have to deal with your Financial Institutions for a longer time than desired. Notify and warn all your contacts to correct your mistake and not open anything from you until your problem is corrected. Don’t be embarrassed, contacted Max Pro-Tech to secure your data from professional Identity thieve, so they cannot assume your identity, destroy your data, hurt your credit rating by draining your savings or opening up new accounts (in your name) that you are not aware of. Never trust any unknown users because you cannot trust anyone or especially if deals are too good to be true.
To view the remaining ‘7 Security Tips To Keep Your Computer Secure Part 2’, it will be made available within a week of this post’s publishing date. If you do these 7 things repeatedly and as often as you can, it will help provide a secure online experience.