How to keep your Computer and Network Safe

Keep all software up to date including the operating system

Software isn’t perfect. It’s bad enough that bugs in the code occasionally make a program crash. What’s worse is that cyber criminals are constantly seeking flaws in operating systems and other software, vulnerabilities that will let them steal your passwords, install malware, and otherwise give you grief. For these reasons it is vitally important that you install the recommended updates. Recommended updates can also address non-critical problems and also make your computer and network perform better.

Install antivirus and malware protection

This will protect against viruses and malware that can come from emails, files on disks or downloads from the internet. Make sure to use the very latest version of your antivirus or security suite. The bad guys are always inventing new tricks to try to correct your Computer and network. If you’re using an old security tool you won’t have the new fixes. If you make certain to keep these essential programs up to date, you should stay safe from most known threats.

Use strong passwords

Passwords protect every part of your online life. If you don’t treat them properly, you’re exposing yourself to a whole amount of trouble. The stronger the password, the harder it is for someone to break into your network.

Install a firewall

A firewall is protective barrier between you and the rest of the computers you are connected to. When you go on to the internet you are visible to the outside world. You are visible through something called a port. The idea of a firewall is to close off the ports (services) you’re not using. If you don’t, then your open ports are an invitation to others to raid your computer! If you only have one piece of security software on your computer then it has to be a firewall. This can prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your network

Avoid using unprotected Wi-Fi

Use a network security key which turns on encryption. With encryption, people can’t connect to your network with the security key. Without encryption a hacker gain access to all your passwords, including bank accounts, emails, and anything else.

Do regular off-site backups

Make copies of your key customer and business data and regularly take them off-site so they are stored in a different location to your office. This will protect your data in case of fire, theft or just carelessness. The best way to do an off-site backup is to have it automatically backing up data to a remote server because everything happens automatically. You can set it and forget it, so it won’t take any additional thought or effort in the future. This also means that your data will be backed up fairly quickly after you change or add to it, so you’ll always have a recent backup.

——-

By Evan Papantoniou – BizQuip Solutions are experts in supporting businesses with their IT. They have many years of experience in dealing with Businesses of all sizes and have offices in Melbourne and Perth.