Any Surface owner should take a little time to update the security. It’s important to protect your computer and devices against cybercrime. Luckily, you can do several things very easily and optimize your level of security. We’ve gathered a few tips on how to do so.
People are talking more about cybersecurity today compared to a few years ago. Cybercrime has become one of the biggest threats to society as we know it in just a couple of years. But it’s not only a threat to society and the big institutions, organizations, and businesses ー it’s also a threat to the ordinary citizen. Cybercriminals are getting extremely talented at successfully attacking regular people to get their data and sensitive information. This is why each and every one of us needs an extra focus on protecting our digital devices.
There are several different things that you can do to optimize the security on your Surface and make yourself much safer online. The most important thing is that you keep the threat of cybercrime present in your mind, so you always remember to be careful and take precautions. Besides educating yourself, here are five easy things you can do to increase your level of security.
1. Go through all your security settings and update everything
The first thing you should do is go to the settings on your Surface and make sure the system and the security settings are both updated. Don’t ignore the system updates. They come with important new security measures that’ll make your computer safer. Then go through all of the software you have on your Surface. Make sure it’s all updated and that the privacy settings are as limited as possible. Always get rid of old software that you no longer use – they are an easy way to access your Surface. So the number one security tip to be aware of is to consistently make sure that all of your software and settings are up-to-date.
2. Update all of your passwords
The next step is to go through all of your accounts. Both the different accounts on your Surface but also all of your online accounts. Update all of your passwords. Make sure that each of them is strong and unique. Avoid using the same password more than once. All of your passwords should be relatively long and consist of letters, symbols, and numbers. This will make them very hard to crack. Something that makes your password very easy to crack is if you use a combination of words that can be easily connected to you, so always avoid doing that.
If you need help creating these passwords, you can use https://passwordhero.com/. They have a generator that’ll make a strong password in a second, and you can use it over and over, whenever you need a new password. You can also find reviews of password managers on their site in case you’re having a hard time remembering all of your strong passwords.
3. Enable 2FA when you can
A new security measure that is making all the difference is two-factor authentication (2FA). This is something that you can enable on your accounts to secure it. You’re just adding an extra verification method besides your password. This could be a phone number verification, face ID, or fingerprint. Any of these will make it almost impossible to get into your account. A hacker will no longer just need your password to get in. It’s really easy to use and makes all the difference. So whenever you can, you should use the option of enabling 2FA.
4. Avoid using public wi-fi
One of the dangerous things that most people don’t consider is the use of public or shared wi-fi. This is always something that needs to be avoided. If you do need to use these, you should make sure that you have protective software. The reason is that public or shared wi-fi makes it easier than ever for hackers to hack into your Surface. Anyone can easily access the computer or device of another using the same network. This is why a VPN can be a great tool if you need to use public wi-fi sometimes. It will make an encrypted network, so your data is hidden from potential cybercriminals on the same network.
5. Ensure the security of online sites
It’s important to obtain knowledge on how to browse safely online if you want to stay safe. The thing you should focus on most in all of this is yourself. Most cyberattacks happen because the hacker manages to make the victim download something, click on something, or even give their credit card information freely. It’s called phishing and is one of the most common types of cybercrime. This is why you need to learn what to look out for, so you don’t make these mistakes.
The headline is to be suspicious of everyone online. Don’t ever give out information or download anything if the site isn’t verified — and be careful what you click on. Always ensure the security of the site. You can do this in more than one way. Take a look at the URL. Does the URL start with HTTPS or HTTP? Always make sure that the URL of the site begins with HTTPS ー which means that the site is secured. Another thing to look for is the little lock in the URL. This is another indication that the site is encrypted and your data is safe. This is always important, and even more important when you’re doing online bank wire transfers or buying something online.
These small things can make all the difference in the world. It takes very little time to educate yourself and take the appropriate action, but it could very well be the thing that stops you from becoming a victim of cybercrime. Do yourself a big favor and get started today by using these tips on how to protect your Surface.
