At Ignite 2018, their annual IT event, the Microsoft Corporation highlighted the need for IT security. They went on to release a variety of products and programs such as Microsoft Secure Score that assesses Microsoft 365 customer environments and gives advice as to how to reduce breaches, as well as Microsoft Authenticator which make secure sign-ins simpler. As valuable as the latest security-oriented software is, there are a number of things that Windows internet users can do in a personal capacity to ensure that their data is not compromised in any way.
Make use of a firewall
Similar to an antivirus, a firewall permanently runs in the background on your PC or laptop. It is responsible for controlling the traffic between your PC and the rest of the network. Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 all boast a superb built-in firewall that is automatically turned on. If you are running an older version of windows you may have to double-check that it is indeed turned on at all times.
Backup your important files
Keeping important files stored on either your computer or smartphone is very risky. Not only can a ransomware attack lead to your most valuable files and documents being compromised, but data losses can occur at any time due to both hardware and software malfunctions. There are a number of ways in which you can securely back up your data. External storage, such as an external hard drive for your computer or memory card for your phone, is cheap although you may be faced with a size constraint. When it comes to backing up data to a memory card on your Windows phone, the BulkMemoryCards.com team recommends you adhere to basic memory card care to enhance the life of your card and keep your data safe for an indefinite period of time. If you don’t feel comfortable backing up your personal data to a physical storage device only, you can make use of one of a number of reliable cloud storage services available.
Keep abreast of software
One of your best defenses against hackers and trackers is to keep abreast of your software updates. This year alone a number of Windows content changes have been actioned. These changes are made available on the second Tuesday of every month for Microsoft Update, Windows Update, and WSUS. Ensure that your settings allow for Windows to update itself automatically to ensure that Windows itself, Microsoft Office and your other Microsoft applications are all kept up to date and ready to defend against any attacks.
Browse the web safely and avoid pirated material
When browsing the internet try at all costs to avoid visiting sites that boast potentially illegitimate content. Unfortunately, most of these sites trigger automatic malware downloads or offer too-good-to-be-true downloads that contain malware. By using an up-to-date browser like Microsoft Edge you will be able to effectively block any malicious websites you may encounter. As tempting as it may be to download pirated music, movies, books, and TV series – don’t! Pirated material is often infected with malware which could lead to your online security being compromised.
The internet is without a doubt one of the most amazing inventions of our time. Unfortunately, it is important to take the necessary measures to ensure that your personal data is kept safe at all times to prevent dubious individuals from running amok with your information.
