3 Best Practices for Computer Security

Since the advent of computers, people have been using them for more and more important tasks. For example, chances are that you use your personal computer to make online purchases, manage your bank account, and file your taxes. Because you use your computer for so much of your life, it’s important to maintain a high level of computer security. At Technically Yours Computer Service and Repairs, I can help you strengthen your security with high-quality protection software, but there are also some practices you can start following right now to keep your computer and the information on it safer. In this article, I’ll be going over three of these practices to help you get started with good computer security habits as soon as possible.

1. Keep Software Up to Date- The first computer security practice I’ll be covering here is to always keep your software up to date. Hackers are constantly looking to exploit vulnerabilities, and the more out-of-date your program is, the longer they’ve had to study it. I recommend turning on the “Auto Update” feature for your operating system to make this habit as easy as possible.
2. Use Good Password Management- Another key habit for good computer security is strong password management. This includes things like choosing strong passwords (i.e. at least 20 characters, with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols), not reusing the same password for multiple sites, and not writing your passwords down. In addition, I recommend changing all your passwords at least every six months. If this sounds like too much to take on, you can come to Technically Yours Computer Service and Repairs to get my professional recommendation on password management software that will do it for you.
3. Click Carefully- The third computer security habit I’ll go over here is to be careful what you click. Avoid going to unknown websites or downloading files from untrusted sources, and don’t click on popup ads or links in spam emails. Many such sites and files harbor malware that will compromise your computer, often without your knowing it. If you want greater peace of mind when it comes to your browsing habits, you can call me at Technically Yours Computer Service and Repairs to get my recommendation for malware protection software.