How can you tell if your computer is safe?

Computers are never 100% safe, but there are many ways to tell that they are safe enough to use. The very first thing a person should look for is proper authentication. Whether it is a password, 4-digit PIN, multi-factor authentication (MFA), fingerprint or another biometric method, authentication greatly improves the security of the device (however, some authentication methods [password, PIN] are not as efficient as others (MFA, fingerprint). That is because MFA uses more than one factor to identify a person, usually a password and a one-time passcode retrieved from an authenticator app on a separate device (something you have), and biometrics identify individuals based on their physical traits that are near impossible to replicate, such as a fingerprint scan or facial recognition (something you are). Also, users should see if antivirus software is on their system. If it is not found, then it should be installed as soon as possible and configured to run periodic scans for viruses, malware, and other threats. Antivirus software also actively protects users from threats by blocking dangerous websites that host malware and phishing schemes. Another way to tell if your computer is safe is by checking the network connection for any vulnerabilities. Make sure that if you are connected to a wireless network, that it is set up with WPA2 security or better. For example, WPA2 uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) method that helps maintain the confidentiality of data being transmitted over the network. Furthermore, if the computer is equipped with VPN software, then the computer is most likely safe. A VPN adds an additional layer of security that allows you to browse the Internet in privacy thereby lessening the chance of an incident occurring. Finally, it is important to see that the operating system of the computer is always updated with the latest security patches.