We’re all concerned about security, which is why we install CCTV at home and theft alarms in our cars. However, the same awareness about security is missing amongst internet users. Yes, people can be surprisingly careless when it comes to safety when using computers. We may never know why, but it has been observed that most end-users, including IT departments, can be neglectful when looking to protect their devices and the material they contain.
We list some very common mistakes people make when using computers. Read on, as these preventable mistakes can land you in big trouble.
Being Careless About Electrical Safety
Your PC consumes quite a bit of power, which makes it vulnerable to a sudden rise in voltage flowing through the power line. Such surges occur when you switch on devices that consume a lot of power or after a power outage. While your PC does contain a basic surge protection mechanism, we suggest that you get yourself a surge protector for long-lasting protection.
After you’ve got a surge protector, make sure that you change it every three to five years as they get worn out. With a few more dollars to spare, you may opt for an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) which protects you from data loss during an unexpected power outage.
Opening Attachments in Emails
Curiosity kills the cat. Yes, it indeed does. Quite often, people click on links and attachments they receive through emails. It’s a security threat that keeps IT managers on their toes. These emails and attachments may lead to malware, adware, virus, spyware, etc., being transmitted into your computer that harm or may even steal your data.
Marie Phillips, manager, information security services, Amerisure Mutual Insurance Cos. notes that many users open every email attachment they receive without thinking enough. This is when they are warned not to open attachments received from strangers or the same one coming from many people, including their acquaintances.
Ignoring updates
You leave your machine at risk when you avoid making regular updates to your system, security, and software. The updates are made by Windows, Java, Flash, PDF Reader, and others only after vulnerabilities are spotted. True, some updates bring with them new security threats, but by and large, it’s wise to make those updates instead of ignoring them. Besides, apart from security, updates in the software bring improved and newer features. They also boost your machine’s speed. Developers work overtime to ensure constant improvement in software for greater efficiency as well.
Choosing Poor Passwords
Poorly chosen passwords are the biggest threat to your PC’s security. You’ll be shocked to know, in a recently held demonstration that included top engineers and anti-hacking experts from NASA, the latter were able to break as much as 60% of the former’s passwords. You should pick passwords that include both digits and letters.
Also, include a special character. It’s a good idea to pick a sequence of numbers, pair it with random letters, and add special symbols.
Avoid Unsafe Browsing
Most users can be reckless while surfing the net. They visit websites that aren’t safe or provide too much information on their social media profiles. After all, the data you supply can be misused or abused. Thus, it is important to limit the data you share online voluntarily. However, you share some information about yourself even without realizing it. For minimizing passive data sharing, you can choose a VPN.
A VPN hides your IP address from prying eyes which makes it far more difficult for online entities to track you online. To ensure your privacy and security, it also encrypts the data traveling from your device to the internet. As a result, you become more anonymous and private online, which is something we all should want nowadays.
Conclusion
Being ignorant of the security mistakes we have shared with you can cause serious damage to your computer and put your security at risk. Our article aims to transform you into a smart user, aware of the perils of being ignorant. The tips we have shared protect your PC and boost your online security in the process. While staying cautious is the mantra, following our tips gives you an added shield of protection.
