It’s not uncommon for individuals to feel that their activities online aren’t secure. In recent years, news about hackers and data breaches have increased, showing that information stored on your computer systems are increasingly not secure.
In 2017, there was the WannaCry ransomware attack and the privacy breach of the credit bureau, Equifax, leading to the loss of personal information of at least 140 million US citizens. There was also the Uber hack, which its management attempted to cover up. These instances prove that cybercriminals are creating more advanced malicious software that can easily slip through computer defense systems.
Albeit, an antivirus is a tool highly used by several PC users, but the prevalence of cyber breaches in recent times proves that antivirus is not enough. To properly protect your computer system and online activity, you need a variety of tools.
3 Top Security Tools for your Computer
Below, are the tools you should have on your computer discussed in details.
1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If you want to access the internet anonymously, you’ll need a VPN. Every computer possesses a unique address called an IP address. Any hacker who has your IP address would be able to track your activities online. A VPN prevents this by hiding your IP address.
A VPN also protects information on your computer by encrypting your data when you’re surfing the internet. Usually, when you perform internet activity, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), browser, and advertisers can spy on it. VPNs tunnel the information received from your device to the party you’re communicating with, ensuring privacy.
2. Vulnerability Scanner
Vulnerability check involves the identification and classification of security loopholes in a particular system. Systems being checked for cybersecurity chinks include networks, software, and hardware systems.
A vulnerability scanner is a tool that performs a security audit on your network or software systems. These scanners work automatically to improve your cybersecurity, and can even create a structured list of systems you need to patch, in order of importance.
Some vulnerability scanners can even automate the patching processes.
3. Email Security
Email security tends towards awareness than being a literary tool. However, other cybersecurity measures could prove futile if you do not educate yourself on the most popular method used to sneak malware into systems.
Malware in the form of an attachment is usually sent through email because individuals tend to trust emails over websites. By opening a suspicious link in your email, you could lose access to several of your online accounts through phishing.
First, check a sender’s email address when you’re viewing an email. If the email tries to create a sense of urgency, prompting you to visit a website for the security of your account, it’s most likely a phishing email. If the email attempts to get you to download an attachment, it could be an email containing malware.
Always hover your mouse arrow above any links you intend to click in an email to see the actual address. Also, don’t download attachments from email addresses that aren’t familiar to you.
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