How can you tell if your computer is safe?

Computers have become part of our everyday lives, with many occupations and security measures being reliant on their ability to function. Even personal computers for at-home use are expected to be secure and safe from malware and viruses. There are many avenues through which an individual can secure their computer’s security. One of which would be investing in good antivirus software such as McAfee, Norton, and Avast. Many of these programs offer year-long subscriptions for 20-25$ dollars,  allowing the consumer to have peace of mind while on a budget. Another way to ensure a computer’s security would be to install regular software updates. Not only are many of these updates security updates, but they also allow a device to keep running smoothly with minimal lag and delay. A rather obvious, but an overlooked method of security would be choosing strong, yet easy-to-recall passwords. A password shouldn’t be an individual’s social security number, phone number, or address number, as all of these options put the user at physical risk. Passwords should be diverse, and never reused for multiple websites and applications. Using a password manager, such as the one Gmail provides for individual accounts, is a good way to keep track of passwords. Even with a plethora of modern password solutions, a password notebook can also provide some security. Though a computer can be well protected, there are still those that would capitalize on doing harm. One way to avoid these situations would be to delete spam mail, suspicious emails, and those from companies that don’t communicate via email. Much of the spam mail that we receive today is littered with malware and phishing scams that could strip users of their private information and funds. Users should also be wary of suspicious/illegal websites, as they cannot be trusted to be secure.