Last updated: July 16, 2022
Any computer one day becomes the victim of a hacker or a virus spread on a large scale. That's why, it is necessary secure your computer and limit its vulnerabilities.
To prevent intrusions, it is necessary protect your pc against hacking by a firewall, antivirus and updates.
But this is not enough. We must also increase the level of protection, close unnecessary or critical ports, use anti-spyware software, and use a VPN to ensure your anonymity.
How to protect your PC from hackers?
Keep your operating system, software and browser up to date
Hackers regularly discover new ways to bypass Windows' built-in security, which is why you need to keep your operating system up to date.
You should understand that older Windows versions have security holes and they are fixed in the latest version.
The same goes for your favorite software. Today's web browsers are increasingly sophisticated, especially when it comes to privacy and security. Make sure to install all new updates.
Back up your computer regularly
Today, ransomware is frequently used by hackers to gain possession of your data.
If you are the victim of a ransomware, you will not need to pay the ransom at all if you perform regular and scheduled backups.
It is therefore advisable to have your important data (photos, documents, etc.) duplicated in two different places at all times. There are dozens ofbackup tools that allow you to manage that.
Beware of spam
Beware of email attachments from unknown sources. Don't open it unless you know what it is, even if the message appears to be from a friend.
Usually, a hacker will pose as one of your contacts. But from the moment you open the attachments, the virus will be run and installed on your computer.
Also beware of emails asking for confidential information. Vigilance is the best defense against Phishing.
Use encryption
Even if someone is able to steal your data or monitor your internet connection, encryption can prevent hackers from gaining access to this information. You can encrypt your Windows hard drive with BitLocker.
Encrypt any USB flash drive containing sensitive information and use VPN to encrypt your web traffic.
Only buy from encrypted websites - you can spot them immediately by the "https" in the address bar along with a closed padlock icon.
Use strong passwords
The most important way to protect yourself against hackers is to use strong passwords. The more complex your passwords, the harder it is for a hacker to take control of your system.
Use a password that is at least eight characters long and a combination of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and computer symbols. Hackers have several tools to crack short and easy passwords in minutes.
Do not reuse passwords either; if you have too many passwords to remember, consider use a password manager like Dashlane, Sticky Password, LastPass or Password Boss.
Use two-factor authentication
Passwords are the first line of defense against hackers, but a second layer strengthens your protection.
Large web companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft allow you to enable two-factor authentication, which requires you to type in a numeric code in addition to your password when signing in. This strengthens the security of your account.
Check your computer activity while you are away
If you're not the only one using your computer, you should also monitor the activity of your machine.
- Use BTPROX. BtProx offers an original solution to prevent curious children from rummaging through your PC in your absence? All you need is a simple Bluetooth device (phone, iPod, etc.). Once configured, the software will close your session as soon as your device is no longer within the range of your computer's Bluetooth fields.
- Use a Keylogger. A keylogger is a program that is used to record keystrokes. In fact, you will keep track of the conversations and searches that are carried out in your absence on your PC. It is also invisible to your victims.
Conclusion
Finally, I hope that through this article, you have been able to learn how to how to protect your pc from hackers. However, it should be noted that there is no such thing as 100% security, we simply reduce the chances of our PCs getting infected. So be very careful with what you see on the internet.