People never think it will happen to them until it does. Your computer was hacked and now you don’t what to do. By the time you find out, it is too late. Your information can be used for all kinds of evil on the streets to the Dark Web. Please read these tips so your computer won’t get hacked.

1. Automatic Security Updates

You should always set up your computer to automatically install your security updates. This will immediately protect your computer from all kinds of viruses, bugs, and security issues as soon as they are found. When your security updates are manual, it is very easy to put it off for a couple of days, weeks, or even months which leaves you vulnerable to multiple problems.

2. Two-Factor Authentication

This is always good to use, especially for your email accounts. Even if someone learns your password, without a second step to authenticate your account, it is a lot more difficult to get into. You can also create two-step password verification for important files on your computer. Most Macs and PCs also have two-factor authentication setup for logging in.

3. Never Use Foreign Plug-in Devices

You should never plug anything into your computer you aren’t familiar with. Don’t allow a stranger in a coffee shop to plug in their phone to your computer to be charged, or even accept or use a free thumb drive or flash drive. You could unknowingly have your computer hacked or give it a virus.

4. Use Different Passwords

Always use multiple passwords for each and every account. Make passwords long with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, number, and symbols. You should also change your passwords regularly.

5. Do Not Use a Password Manager

You may have been told it was a good idea to use a password manager. You only need one password to access multiple passwords in one place. A password manager is encrypted and safe. No one has ever had a security problem using a password manager, yet. To protect yourself, keep your passwords in a secure, private place offline that isn’t stored on your computer.

6. Don’t Open Suspicious Emails or Visit Suspicious Websites

You should only open emails from senders you know and be aware of emails that direct you to sites you always visit regularly. Does the website look the same as it did the last time you visited? Are they asking you for information they should already have like your bank account or Social Security number? Never give out that kind of information and alert the company of anything suspicious.

7. Use a Virtual Private Network

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will give you protection. It uses encryption such as IP security, Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, Secure Sockets Layer, and Transport Layer Security. It is beneficial when using a Wi-Fi connection and helps protect you when you’re on a public Wi-Fi network. A VPN will scramble your location and mask your IP address so hackers can’t harm you if they can’t find you.

8. Routinely Check to See Who Has Accessed Your Accounts

Look at your login records regularly to make sure they match your activity. Always look at the dates and times when you were logged in as well as know your own IP address. Set up your accounts to send you an email if your account was accessed on a new device as well.

9. Always Use a Trusted Device

Always access your private accounts, including your email from your own devices. Logging into someone else’s computer makes you vulnerable to any viruses that may be on their computer and your password information can be stolen. The same is true for public computers as well.

10. Install Antivirus Software Everywhere You Can 

There are many companies online that offer anti-virus software you can install on your computer. Always do your research and choose the most well-know, safe, and secure. If you can’t afford to buy high-quality anti-virus software, some companies offer it for free.

11. Create a Guest Wi-Fi Network

You can set up a network in your home for visiting family and friends who can use a different name and password from your main network without allowing them access to your tech devices.

12. Create Limited-User Accounts

Whether you use a Mac or PC you can create two kinds of limited-user accounts. An administrator account can install, update, or remove software. Regular accounts are for everyone to use, but if malware attacks a user account, it won’t be able to disturb the rest of the computer.

13. Make Sure Router Framework is Up-to-Date

If your router framework needs to be updated, that makes it easier for hackers to take control of your router and control everything you do online. This includes everything from sending emails, social media posts, and sending money.

14. Cover You Webcam

Spyware makes it very easy for people to see your private activities and intimate moments at all hours of the day and night.  There are camera covers you can purchase but you can cover the camera with a Band-Aid or masking tape.

15. Insert a Cut-Off Headphone Plug into Your Laptop’s Microphone

There is malware available that can record your conversations. If you want to maintain your privacy get an old set of headphones and cut off the wire right at the base of the cord and insert it into the headphone plug. It will act as earplugs so anyone who tries to listen to your conversations will not be able to hear anything from your computer.

 

These are a few things you can do to protect yourself, but please keep in mind, criminals are smart. As computer technology evolves, hackers are behind the scenes looking for ways to take advantage of innocent victims and they usually are aware of emerging technologies before the general public. Make sure you read about ways to protect your computer from hackers on a regular basis so you can always keep yourself and computer safe.