These days more people are continuing to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some children are also home taking part in distance learning programs rather than attending school in-person. Both scenarios mean both adults and children are spending more time on their devices, potentially making them more vulnerable to computer viruses and hackers.
This means people should be more vigilant about securing their devices. If you’re not sure how to go about doing this, we have some tips.
Make Sure Your Security Software is Updated
One of the easiest ways to secure your devices is to make sure your security software is updated. This will help scan for viruses and detect if anything suspicious is going on. If a virus or threat is detected, you can address it quickly before it becomes a bigger issue.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN disguises your IP address. This makes your connection appear to be located wherever you want, making it tough for anyone to try to find your location or track where you’ve been online.
VPN services help to boost your online privacy. If you have been working remotely since the pandemic started, your company may have been using this tool. It allows remote workers to connect to a company intranet or local network.
Protect Your Passwords and Teach Your Children to do the Same
Don’t share your passwords or any login information with anyone, not even co-workers. Tell your children to do the same. Also, teach them to never talk to strangers online and never share passwords.
Many online predators are savvy when it comes to getting children to share information including their physical location as well as online information. Having a talk with your children and teaching them the dangers of doing this will help to protect them.
Be Aware of Scams
Hackers and scam artists are well aware that more people are online, which means a larger pool of potential victims. This means you need to keep your guard up and be aware of any suspicious emails that could be targeting your online security.
If you see an email from an unfamiliar source, don’t open it. This could be a hacker’s way of accessing your account and trying to get your information. If you do open the email and something doesn’t seem right, look for obvious warning signs of an illegitimate email.
These include:
- Spelling errors
- Formatting errors
- Malicious links
Delete the email and be sure not to open any others from a similar address. You may even want to reset your email password or other passwords on your computer if you are concerned that a hacker may have had access to your information. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Contact Us!
If your computer has been compromised despite taking precautions, we can help. Let us remove any spyware or viruses and get your computer in tip-top shape. We can also give your computer a tune-up to help it work faster. Call Enterprise Computers today at 860-664-3730 to find out more about the services we offer.