Whether you are running a business from home, or you are using it for your own pleasure, you need your laptop to be reliable, safe and secure. However, if you have many people in your household, then you can’t always control what they do or the sites they use. Therefore, you need to have a strong system in place; one which will allow you to browse as much as you want without having your laptop infected with a harmful, and potentially deadly, virus.
Install a Firewall
One of the things you need, at the very least, is a good firewall on your laptop. There are two types of firewall that you can have, a software version and a hardware version. Both versions are effective, so the choice depends on which one you prefer. They work by preventing any unauthorized activity from getting into your network from the internet. It is important that you keep the firewall turned on all the time so that nothing can get through even when you aren’t using the laptop.
Use a Strong Antivirus Software
As well as the firewall, you should also have strong antivirus software because there might be some viruses that get onto your computer by other means, such as USB sticks or file transfers. As well as protecting against other forms of files, the antivirus is also there to help protect you against intrusion on the internet that might get through the firewall. There are free versions of antivirus software that you can buy, but you need to ensure that you are getting the full protection. Some antivirus software also has additional tools for cleaning your laptop and speeding up the load times.
Anti-Spyware Software
There is some antivirus software that has anti-spyware installed as well as part of the package. If yours does not, then you should think about adding a separate anti-spyware software as well. Spyware is a particular type of virus that is designed to search your computer for personal information, such as passwords or bank details, and send them to a third party. If you are worried about having your details on your computer, then you could use company websites to keep your details. For example, if you do your tax return on your computer, then using an outside company to input the details can make it more secure.
Strong Password
The first line of defense for your computer and your information is to have strong passwords. The stronger the password is, the harder it will be for hackers to break it. You need to choose a password that has at least six characters with a mixture of numbers and letters and even other random characters to make up a memorable phrase or word. It’s important not to choose passwords such as your birthday, maiden name, or street address, as these can be incredibly easy to guess.
If you are using a laptop that doesn’t have any of these security features, then you are placing it at risk from viruses and having your data stolen. Viruses, in particular, can render your laptop useless if not cleaned with the right software. If you work from home, it is crucial to take the steps to protect yourself at all times.