Keeping a vigilant watch on your home PC’s security is very important. Even though a lot more people are accessing the Internet on mobile phones and tablets, desktop personal computers still command a lot of use in our homes for business and entertainment.
With a lot of personal computer usage comes the opportunity for hackers to infiltrate your computer with software viruses. Fortunately, we live in a popular region for Phoenix computer virus experts, and here are some clear tips to steer clear of malicious computer software issues.
Malware & Viruses
Most software and computer-based viruses are transmitted by clicking on infected files. These are usually sent by hackers through email. You’d be surprised how many people fall for a professional looking email and attachment that when clicked on, unleash a virus upon the user.
Unethical websites can also bring about unwanted viruses on users. Keep away from sites that throw up a lot of browser windows in the background, as these sites are often homes for malicious activity. Search engines like Google and Bing have accelerated their browser protection capabilities on these dodgy sites. Knowing where and what you’re clicking on the Web will be your biggest defense against malicious activity.
Strong & Unique Passwords
Hackers are finding new ways to break into computers, and weak passwords are easy prey. Follow the advice of online practices to make your passwords hard to penetrate. Use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, characters and more. Using a hard-to-decipher password will strengthen your home PC security.
Strong passwords are necessary at all the web services you use. From Amazon to Google, Facebook to your online bank, a good password will keep hackers at bay and maintain your home computer security. Experts recommend using different passwords for different services. If a hacker finds one password, you want your other passwords to be unique.
If you’re like me, you’ll have more than a dozen passwords for different services. You can try to use one of the various password manager services, ranked by the experts at PC Mag.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is also important for your home PC security. Having trusted malware and anti-virus software in place can keep your PC protected. Some of the top names in antivirus software include Kaspersky, Avira, Avast, and BitDefender. These programs will keep your computer safe from attempts to hijack your browser and other harmful exploits.
Be vigilant about your web browsing, keep your passwords secret and watch for malicious web sites and untrustworthy URLs. If unfortunately, you’ve found yourself with a computer virus in Phoenix, check out this list of approved computer repair service providers in Phoenix
With those tips in mind, you’ll find that you’ll keep a home desktop computer clean for your use, and you won’t have to worry about your Internet security and malware issues down the road.