Protect...Your Computer
Brian Best
If Apple is critical tech in your business, we should talk. ?? Kansas City | Dad^3 | Certified BBQ Judge | Chiefs fan
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and a few minutes of cyber-incident to ruin it.”
-Stephane Nappo
We’ve seen in recent months and years what can happen when cybercrime takes over and makes your data and information vulnerable. Hackers are no longer the kids sitting in their basements with hoodies on; they’re real human beings who treat their job like a 9-5 sitting in a cubicle. It’s up to you to take the necessary steps to protect your computer from unwanted viewers.?
Luckily, you don’t have to do this alone. We’ve rounded up a few tips to protect your computer.?
Keep Your Computer Software Up-to-Date
The simplest way to keep your computer safe is to keep your computer software up-to-date. Most software updates are made available due to security issues that can be addressed and fixed through the update. The latest versions of each software update will always be the fastest and safest in terms of use and security. Older versions leave you more vulnerable to bugs or security issues that can easily be resolved through an update.?
A helpful feature to ensure you’re always on the latest version is to enable automatic updates. You can do this on your Mac by going to System Preferences > Software Update > Automatically keep my Mac up to date.
Utilize Antivirus Software
As you grow older, you become smarter and wiser. So, too, do hackers. As they spend more time hacking, they develop new ways to exploit your devices and access your data. To keep up with hackers and prevent them from attacking you, install an antivirus software and keep it up to date. Macs come preloaded with antivirus software, but it’s important to exercise this step if you’re using a different machine or system that is easily susceptible to malware.
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Backup Your Data
Your computer is ripe for the picking if you store all of your data and sensitive information on it. By backing up your computer’s contents to an external hard drive, you can be assured that your information is protected and will not be lost if you are hacked at some point.
Browse the Web with Caution?
The internet is a prime location for you to unknowingly pick up a virus that can make your computer vulnerable to hackers. When exploring the internet, refrain from clicking on links or pop-up ads that you’re unfamiliar with. Stay away from websites that are not secure (on Mac, these websites are labeled in the URL bar as “not secure,” while secure websites will have a lock icon to the left of the URL of the website you’re currently on). Remember to use unique and challenging passwords for every site you go on to ensure that a potential hack of one of your accounts doesn’t result in all of them being hacked.
Watch What you Download
Even the best antivirus software may not save you if you unknowingly download a virus from the internet. Don’t download attachments from websites or email addresses that you’re not familiar with - this is the easiest way to download a virus, though attachments from people you do know may also be hiding viruses and flying under the radar. Only download attachments from trusted sources, and keep your browser(s) up to date for an extra layer of protection.
This blog is only a short list of the various ways one can protect their computer from hackers and unwanted viewers. If you’re looking for more information about computer security, check out Apple’s explanation of their macOS Security here.
If you’re looking for more in-depth security recommendations or solutions, you want to learn a bit more about your computer, or you’re looking for support, visit the BestMacs website.
Next week, we’ll be wrapping up our “Protect…” series by providing tips for how you can protect your network.
If you’ve missed out on the previous installments of this series, you can catch up on them here: