Cyber security protection is not at all that difficult. Once you have incorporated it into your system then it is just like riding a bicycle or can be as normal as walking. All you need is to learn how you can make it work well and build a good habit to make cyber security consistent.
By doing this you can have a better chance of keeping your confidential information protected from attacks from virus or from hackers. This way you can keep your sensitive data safe from other persons who would like to access them and use them for personal gain or protect them from applications that can erase or corrupt your files.
Identify how your information can be accessed and who would be the likely people who can gain from accessing your confidential records. It’s like identifying the usual suspects in a criminal line-up. I’m not saying that the people you know cannot be trusted but it helps to be extra cautious. Your brother might not do something untrustworthy but his friends might and if they have physical access to your computer then your files are at a risk of being hacked.
Protect your computer with a strong password. Use combination’s of letters and numbers, upper case and lower case, and even use codes. Avoid using the usual birthdays, social security numbers, bank PINs, account numbers, favorite superheroes, favorite food, etc. Use unique passwords and make one up for every system that requires authentication. Do not use the same password in all your confidential files.
To protect your computer from outside hackers, the best thing would be to disconnect your computer from the network when you’re not using it. No anti-virus application or firewall system provides complete protection. The best way would be to remove yourself from the network when you are not using your computer to reduce the risk of being attacked.
When you do surf the web, make sure that you have your firewall on and your anti-virus application turned on. Also make sure that your security settings are at there highest level. Your emails, web browsers and even other applications have specific settings which increase the security allowing them to block attacks from virus, malware and spyware. Study the security settings and select one which permits you to maximize the use of the application but at the same time offer you a good deal of security to keep your files protected.
Also, do not forget about power surges and other technological problems. Even though, the virus and hacker threats are real and sometimes the priority, people forget that sometimes power surges or breakdown of computer hardware can cause loss of data or have files corrupted and rendered inoperable.
To have added protection therefore, it would be wise to install some uninterrupted power supply that protects you from power surges and permits you to back up or shut down your computer preventing possible corruption of files and applications.
And speaking of backing up, it would be great if you would regularly back up your files just in case the unthinkable happens. May these be personal files or files you need for work, having a good back up is always a great thing to have.
Once you have a system you will produce a good habit in cyber security protection which can help lower the risks of losing files or your confidential information being hacked. Identity theft is growing fast and the best defense is knowledge about cyber security protection .. Free reprint available from: Build Good Cyber Security Protection Habits.