How can one tell that their computer is safe?

• Software updates – The technological landscape is constantly expanding and it is crucial that your computer is up-to-date. Many tech companies release a yearly update to take sure that the phone is updated. Some of the things that may be updated are the antivirus software, OS, applications, web browser, etc.
• Anti-virus software – Another way of making sure that the computer is resistant to being compromised is by downloading antivirus software. This type of software works by detecting malware, viruses, and any other software that may attack the computer.
• Firewalls – While antiviral software helps protect the computer by scanning the software on it, firewalls work by monitoring the traffic in and out of the computer. It monitors the packets that are being sent and received by the computer and blocks them if they are suspicious.
• Strong passwords – Your first line of defense before gaining access to the computer is the password. Whenever a password is created it is imperative to make sure that it is unique enough that it would be hard to guess, or crack with a password generator. Since it id discouraged to use the same password across multiple accounts, it can be hard to keep track of all of them. To mitigate this, it is recommended to use a password manager.
• Secure connections – One of the things that has become more ingrained into daily mobile user’s lives is the internet. Alot, of people have to use the internet daily but don’t know of the dangers about using an unprotected one. It is important to make sure that the network that one is using encrypted to prevent important information being accessed like an unsecured network.
• Suspicious activity – Monitoring for suspicious activity is a foolproof way to determine if one’s computer is compromised. One should look out for pop-up windows, unfamiliar programs on the computer, or abrupt changes in performance.

Overall, there are many ways to tell if one’s computer is safe but the main way is to incorporate cybersecurity measures to protect your information. As, the technological landscape continues to change it is paramount to stay vigilant.