Cybersecurity Awareness Month: If You Connect It, Protect It

October 4th · 3 min read

It’s important that everyone has the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. For this reason, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here at Guardio, cybersecurity is all that we do. Not only do we seek vulnerabilities in other products, but we also work hard to keep individuals safe in their day to day browsing.

The Guardio Blog is full of resources you can use to educate yourself about the latest threats and tips to stay safe. In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, this article is the first in a series of four, dedicated to providing you with the resources you need to be safe and more secure online.

If You Connect It, Protect It

Whether you use a computer for work, personal use, or both, nearly everyone connects to the Internet and interacts with some kind of personal information on a daily basis. From a simple social media login, banking website, company network, or any other use, it’s important to ensure that your devices have protection.

It’s easy to have the “it’ll never happen to me” mentality when it comes to added protection, but the reality is the average computer is targeted by cybercrime once every 39 seconds[1]. Here are the top 5 tips Guardio recommends to protect your computer.

Install Browser Protection

Browser protection is among the cutting edge of online safety technology. Products like Guardio scan each of the websites that you visit and extensions that you add to ensure that they're free of malicious code and scams. They catch things like phishing pages and keyloggers that often go unnoticed, even to the savviest individuals. When a malicious site or extension is found, these products block the offending website or extension and let you know why. They also alert you when a website that you're visiting is still too new to be trusted. Browser Protection keeps you safe by stopping threats BEFORE they reach your device, instead of afterward like traditional antivirus solutions.

Clean up your browser and remove popups

Enable full protection to keep safe from malicious popups, malware & phishing scams.

Keep Your Operating System and Software Up To Date

Don’t put off installing updates that your operating system recommends and those associated with software installed on your computer. These contain important security updates and from the time they release the update until you install the update, hackers have an easy road map outlining how to exploit any security holes that you haven’t yet patched.

Download Updates and Software Only From the Manufacturer

Never use 3rd party download sites as they are known to include malware along with your intended download. Always visit the manufacturer’s website to ensure that you’re getting the authentic program or update without any surprises. To learn more about how installing updates and software from untrusted sources can cause harm to your device, learn more about the Flash Player Malware Infection.

Disable Remote Access for your Computer

The default setting should always be disabled. By enabling remote access, it opens the door for hackers. Only allow remote access for those you know and trust and NEVER for someone you don’t know who contacted you first as it could be a tech support scam. You can view and edit your remote access settings from your computer’s control panel.

Use Trusted Repair Professionals

If you think there’s a problem with your computer, start with your antivirus provider. If you use Guardio, perform a cleanup or contact support to describe the problem and we can help you determine what “next steps” you should take. If it requires the help of a repairman, avoid Tech Support Scams by always using a trusted company. For help finding a trusted company try contacting your computer’s manufacturer for a list of trusted repair technicians or visit the service desk of your local computer repair or sales company.

Sources https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/study-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds

Clean up your browser and remove popups

Enable full protection to keep safe from malicious popups, malware & phishing scams.

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