Best free antivirus software: The world has adopted the use of technology, computers and has made technological advancements and improvements over time. As we are progressing over time, the risk associated with the technology increases as well. The risk of viruses and cyber-attacks has increased over time. The recent cyber-attacks have proven that robbers and hackers have improved, and newer dangers of data theft have emerged. Many businesses are being affected by cyber-attacks, especially small new ones. There are different virus scan software available in the market but they might not be enough. The following are some steps you could take to minimize the risks and prevent these attacks.
1. Use a Firewall
The primary computer system has built-in protected firmware that helps keep your information safe from outside threats. Sometimes, built-in firewalls are not enough to protect your information on the device. Use a proven external firewall, as they prevent any unauthorized access to your PC. Malware viruses cause the most harm and these firewalls could prevent them.
2. Get an Anti-Virus
Hackers, viruses, and other harmful programs are everywhere. Anti-virus is designed to make your PC immune to such hacks. Many Viruses are hard to spot, and you might not even know they exist. For instance, they might slow down your computer or delete essential files themselves. Anti-virus software detects these viruses before they can cause any damage and protect it on a regular basis. There is free virus protection software available in the market but they are not as effective.
3. Use Passwords
Keep your data secure by keeping a password, and be sure to change it often. Many of the breaches and hacks are quickly done because of no or simple passwords. A study shows that the top password choices in 2018 were either the numbers 123456, 123456789 or the phrase ‘password’ itself. How predictable and simple has this proven to be, hasn’t it? Keep your data stored behind a complex password that is not mainstream and easy to guess. The best password combination would be a mixture is numbers and letters with upper and lower cases. This might be a little hard to remember, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
4. Phishing scheme: Best Free Antivirus Software
According to research, 37% of the hacks are done through an email phishing scam. There are multiple online cyber-attacking groups that hack through these schemes. A phishing scam is an email that you receive from a supposedly legitimate company. They aim to collect personal information, or they send a link that gives them access to your PC. The secret to catching such scams is in their emails. A legitimate company will have its name as the domain. For instance, an email from amazon @ gmail.com would definitely be fake. Beware of the grammar, and poor English as these are some more ways to catch them.
5. Create Awareness
Most of the attacks can happen through the elderly or children in the family. This could be a member of your family or an employee who is not aware of the basic internet practices. If there is anyone who can be a cause of such hacks and uses your PC, take some time out from your day and educate them of the fundamental practices such as not opening any emails or links for unknown addresses or selecting any ambiguous links sent through them. Avast antivirus is one of the best free antivirus software available in the market that is very common.
6. Keep your Apps and System Up to Date
Keep a check on regular updates provided by your system. These updates have built-in security systems and fixes that were a loophole for hackers to enter through. The same goes for your apps. Regular updates might annoy you, but they are necessary, and these updates can save your apps and PC from being hacked. You can review your browser settings as well to make sure you restrict any unknown access to your PC through the internet.
7. Use Two Factor Authentication
There are multiple defense techniques you could opt to protect your data. Passwords are a necessity, but the added security is always better. The second layer of security is two-factor authentication. Major companies in the world, such as Google, Facebook, and even Apple have the option of two-factor authentication. This sends a passcode to your trusted device that you have to enter once you have typed in the password. This protects your account in a stronger way.
8. Use Encryption: Best Free Antivirus Software
If someone has gotten past through all the firewalls and restrictions, encryptions don’t allow hackers to access your information. There is multiple encryption software available on the internet that can help you encrypt USBs with sensitive data. Using encryption is like having free malware removal software. It is advised to always shop at encrypted websites as they can easily be spotted as they have a lock on them.
9. Virtualize your Surfing: Best Free Antivirus Software
The internet is a prominent place. This is for people who like to visit sketchy websites and visit parts of the internet that most people don’t often visit. If you are one of those people, there is a high probability that you will encounter many scammers and viruses. The best way to avoid this path is to opt for virtualization. This allows you to run your browser in a virtual environment that does not trace back the IP address back to your PC because it’s the best free antivirus software.
10. Shut Down your Device: Best Free Antivirus Software
Many big organizations have a clock system that stays online all the time. This can prove to be a risk as the organizations that have a continuous working network is more likely to get hacked. It is better to shut down your devices at the end of the day, which eliminates any establishment that the hacker has established to hack your tool.
Cyber Attacks are Real but can be Prevented
Online cyber-attacks are real and a threat. Although the increase in technology has created a rise in such hacks and viruses, it is always possible to, if not eliminate, then to minimize these risks. All of the points discussed above are examples of how you could opt for more ways to save your data from being extorted or hack and used against you. You can look for the best free antivirus software for added protection. This might be a timely process and might seem too over the edge at some point, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Author Bio:
Leon Bennett is an eCommerce nerd who loves to explore the latest tips and trends related to eCommerce platforms. He is a content strategist for an online store Hard Drive World. In his free time, he loves to share his expertise on different platforms through articles.
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