Some Computer Maintenance Tips to Upkeep PC Security

by : Polly M Quinton

With the ever-increasing cyber crime cases, managing PC security and privacy is a huge challenge. Installing a robust antivirus isn't enough to safeguard your crucial files, data, information and other details from prying eyes. Go through the article to learn some important computer maintenance tips that can help you avoid computer hardware damages and security flaws.


Most tech geeks claim that following some basic factors to ensure complete security of your computers, networks, and user accounts isn't enough avoid greater threats. Viruses, malware, Trojans, worms, rootkits and other malicious codes may make numerous attempts to enter into your device and damage PC components to an irreparable extent. Sometimes, you might feel dishearten when you observe that your device gets hacked or attacked by a serious malware, even after installing the best antivirus solution. Have you ever thought that why it is happening? What are the security loopholes that allow such infections to enter your device? Are you aware of the PC guru tips on how to clean a computer? If no, then you must be one of those PC users who think that installing antivirus or antispyware is enough to manage the security of their devices.

If you want to adopt some expert tips to manage your device's security, then simply practice some of the following tips:


1.       Back Up Your Data
Backing up your files is one of the most essential and crucial maintenance tips that help you to stay protected against the dangerous results of computer infections. Backing up your sensitive, and crucial files regularly will defend you in the event of a computer crash or electrical surge. The practice doesn't let you lose any of the important projects and files, even if the PC denies to respond or boot due to a serious virus attack. You can also avoid some of the major computer hardware damages and also thus fight against leading threats by encrypting and backing up your sensitive data. Transfer your important documents to an external hard disk drive or you can also use online cloud storage platforms to store your data and access it anytime, anywhere.

2.       Check Your Firewall
Checking your security firewall doesn't seem helpful to an average user, but a PC guru always recommends doing that to ensure optimal safety of the device. Windows-based users can simply go to Control Panel >  type ‘firewall' in the search box to check whether their firewall is ‘on' or ‘connected' to ensure complete safety of their device. Mac PC users can click the Apple icon, go to System Preferences > Security > Firewall, to keep cyber criminals out of their device's environment. Additionally, you can also disable file and media sharing in case you don't want to make your files visible to other users or machines.

3.       Never Access Rogue Websites
Spotting, judging or controlling a rogue website can be difficult, but there are some features that can help you check the trust factor and reliability of the website. A green lock in the address bar, the ‘https://' code prefix at the beginning of the URL and professional looking websites are ideal for banking, accessing emails or doing shopping online. Innocent users will have to pay extra attention while shopping through an online website, shipping items from overseas, and while dealing with emails that carry web links.

4.       Avoid Lucrative Deals That are too Good to be True
Who doesn't like discounts and offer? But unrealistic offers and lucrative deals can be hacker's trick to fetch sensitive information and other details from innocent users. Deals offering 20% or 30% off on off-season items can be true, but 90% off on "The Beatles Collection" CD is a complete knock off. Users should avoid such deals and offers that promise fake discounts as they can be potential malware that can damage your computer hardware or software components. Additionally, avoid clicking the link, tabs and deals you've availed along with applying some computer maintenance tips to avoid data or financial loss.

5.       Never Provide Sensitive Information
One of the best features of PC maintenance strategies is to block malicious and illegitimate websites by setting up strong parental control. Cyber world may ask for your personal or sensitive information to plan some major frauds in the future, but you've to be extra careful while revealing the information on online platforms. PC guru recommends not revealing your social security number (SSN), address and contact details, or credit card information unless you find a website reliable.

Conclusion
Managing PC security is something that you've been dealing with for quite a long time, but malware authors will make numerous attempts to break the security walls. Most of the advanced antivirus, antispyware and antimalware solutions block and restrict the entry of such threats, but the protection isn't full-proof. It is beneficial to keep your antivirus updated and create strong passwords for your user accounts and online accounts to add extra security layer. You should also try changing your passwords on a regular basis to make your online experience truly secure and enhance your device as well as network security. You might observe that some of the websites lure customers with some amazing deals and offers to trace down your credit card information, personal details and other sensitive information. Additionally, you can avoid opening unknown emails to ensure complete safety and security of your computers, networks, user accounts and servers!