Keeping your computer safe and secure is extremely important when it comes to protecting your information. Safe passwords kept in password managers, VPNs, pop-up blockers, and other tools are ultimately useless if the computer itself isn’t safe. Unfortunately, there’s no way to differentiate a “clean” computer from an “infected” one by just looking at it. Further, there’s no way to 100%, absolutely guarantee that your computer will be safe every second of every day. With that being said, there are definitely tools to help protect your computer.

To begin with, one of the greatest tools to have is an anti-virus program installed. Even if you use nothing else, a strong anti-virus program that covers more than the operating system does on its own will help keep you safe from viruses, malware, and more. Whether you opt for 24/7 monitoring or regularly scheduled scans, it is key in keeping your computer and the information on it safe. In conjunction with antivirus software, it is important to keep firewalls maintained and all of the software you have installed up to date. When everything is running well, your antivirus scans are coming up clean, you can generally assume your computer is safe.

One of the simplest ways to make sure your computer is safe is by practicing good cyber hygiene. Viruses, malware, and other issues typically do not just pop up out of nowhere. Instead, they become problems due to user error, such as visiting unsafe sites, clicking links from senders you do not know, or downloading questionable files. By practicing good cyber hygiene, especially in conjunction with the tools listed above, you can ensure your computer is safe. Computer safety is not a passive process: it requires active participation, testing your tools, and periodic review to make sure everything is still operating as it should.