I’m so thrilled to be sharing this article on CompPeak. It has some of the most in-depth articles I’ve seen online and is a great resource to answer questions you can’t get answered anywhere else. If you are interested in Windows 10, it might be helpful for you to read this post on Cortana.
Now that Windows 10 has been out for some time, it is possible to have an educated discussion on its security merits and problems. While the OS will get more secure as time goes on, the threats grow more powerful as well. Hackers do not rest just because a new OS is out. Right now they are certainly working on finding new exploits or ways to get to your personal data, and you need to beef up your security.
Here are a few things that you can do to help yourself:
Protect Yourself as You Always Have
No matter what Microsoft and other media outlets might be telling you, you still have a Windows computer. That means that there are still a lot of weaknesses in the OS that have not been worked out yet. There are still countless viruses and malware out there that have every intention of infecting your computer. You need to continue to protect yourself in the same ways that you did on your old computer.
The basics still apply. You need to continue using the strongest passwords you can. This goes along with keeping your usernames close to your chest and creating unsearchable security question answers. The protection of your email is still of paramount importance and should be your top priority. You absolutely need a security suite, and you need to update your programs as often as you can. Above all, you still need to keep a clear head and an alert eye while using your computer.
Take Note of Your Privacy
Your online privacy and your online security go hand in hand. You should be making every effort to keep your personal information offline and out of the hands of hackers. No one needs to be mining your information. To protect yourself, you should be doing things such as staying away from creating public profiles, knowing which sites take your information, and deleting cookies regularly.
Windows 10 has had some privacy issues come up in the news, and it is absolutely vital that you make yourself aware of them before continuing to use the OS or downloading it for the first time. You under no circumstances want to have your data recorded by an outside entity without your knowledge. Once you know, you can change the settings to the state you feel is best.
Use a VPN
If you take your Windows 10 machine with you while you are on the go, then you are probably using public networks. If you are using public networks, then you are making yourself vulnerable to hackers who like to lurk on networks with a setup that allows them to pick up all of the data being transmitted over the network. This can include personal and financial data that, if stolen, can lead to identity theft.
This threat must be met with a Virtual Private Network. What it will do is connect your computer (or smartphone) to an offsite secure server that will handle your requests for you. The connection is encrypted and will act as a “tunnel,” protecting your data while you are using a public network. In addition to this, you will have your IP address hidden so that you have an extra layer of privacy. In short, it is the best way to protect yourself from outside threats while you are online.
In order to find a good example of what the best VPNs might offer you, you should read a review of a VPN by Secure Thoughts or Computer World.
Remember that the Internet Hasn’t Changed
When you go online, it is the same internet. Even if you are using the new Edge browser, you are still the one in control and the one responsible for any damage. Any malicious websites are still malicious, and anything that sounds too fantastic to be true is most certainly that. Don’t give away any private information online, and know that you should only shop or buy services on websites with a “https” tag.
You are going to want to make sure that you are still using safe browsing habits online. If you download something problematic onto your computer, then your new OS isn’t going to save you from a potential ransomware or spyware attack. Be as careful as ever, and see if you can download any well-regarded extensions or add-ons to make your browsing even safer. Until you get the hang of things, err on the side of caution.
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