Protect Your Personal Identity and Computer Data from Cyber-Hackers
A hacker can steal your personal identity & computer data within minutes. Just hoping that you won’t be hacked is not enough to protect yourself. It can happen to you on your home computer or on your business computer. If you wait until it happens to take action, then it’s too late. It’s akin to closing the barn door after the horses escaped. Here are 4-steps that you can take to decrease your chances of getting hacked.
4-Steps to Protect Your Personal Identity & Computer Data from Hackers
You might not be able to take all of the precautions yourself, so call your trusted local computer repair shop. Computer Pc Medic, Computer Repair in Fort Collins, will help you protect your computer if you live in Fort Collins, Colorado and the surrounding area.
Get a Computer Tuneup every 6-months
A computer tune-up will ensure that your computer isn’t harboring malicious software that would weaken your computer while on the Internet. A computer checkup will also make sure that all critical application and Windows update are installed. In general, a tune-up will make sure that your computer is in top shape. If you depend on your computer, then get a checkup every 6-months.
Hackers may call you and pose as a Microsoft Partner
Hackers are getting more brazen and have been phone calling individuals and posing as a Microsoft partner. These scammers will tell you they have been notified that your computer is infected by a virus. They will try to convince you to allow them access to your computer. Don’t ever allow anyone to access your computer and data over the Internet.
Another ploy, to get on to your computer, is to display a fake FBI browser screen with a toll-free number saying you have been infected or on a porn site. The important thing to remember is that these people know nothing about your computer and are scammers. Most of them are out of India and they want your money and/or identity information. Hang up on them and certainly don’t ever call any toll-free number.
Install and maintain a High-rated Antivirus
Most free antivirus software is worth what you pay for it. If you want to protect your computer against viruses, ransomware, and hackers, then buy a good antivirus software with a built-in firewall. Most of the time, the old name brand antivirus software are the weakest when protecting you on the Internet. Make sure that it has real-time protection and is updating its database.
Back Up your data Automatically & Frequently
Backing up your important computer data is a must, not only to protect against ransomware but in case of hard drive failure. The way to make sure your data is frequently backed up is to use a cloud back up service. These services can be configured to immediately back up a file when it is created and updated. If you are like me, it is too easy to forget and lose that article, speech, slideshow or thesis. A less expensive method is to buy a backup software that will back up your data to an external hard drive or to another computer on your network. Remember that ransomware will encrypt all of the data on your computer, external hard drive and network computers.