How can you tell if your computer is safe?

1. Keep your operating system up to date: Update your operating system often because software updates include security patches that fix known vulnerabilities in previous versions.
2. Use antivirus software: Install antivirus software and keep it up to date. Antivirus software can help detect and remove malware, viruses, and other threats.
3. Use firewalls: Enabling firewalls on your computer to block unauthorized access to your network and protect against malware. Combining strong firewalls with a virtual private network (VPN) will decrease the chance of attack on your computer. A VPN establishes a secure connection between you and the internet through an encrypted virtual tunnel. This disguises your IP address when you use the internet, making its location unknown to everyone.
4. Use strong passwords and two factor: Use strong passwords that are unique for each account or website you use and change them regularly. It can be up to you when you change them but at minimum do it once a year. Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as “password” or “123456.” Enable two-factor authentication for your accounts, this adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.
5. Be cautious of suspicious emails and websites: Be cautious of emails from unknown senders they may contain phishing links or malware. Also, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted websites. Using pirated websites for streaming services is a high risk because it is illegal.
6. Encrypt and back up your data: Use encryption to protect your sensitive data, such as financial information or personal data. Encryption scrambles the data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Regularly back up your important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. In case of a security breach or hardware failure, you can easily recover your data.