How to Stop Hackers on Your Computer

Protecting your computer from hackers and malware can be difficult, especially since the methods of hackers are becoming more advanced over time. Despite this fact, there are still some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from hackers, which we’ll discuss in this article along with how you can determine if you’ve been hacked.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Using public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can be very dangerous. Don’t log in to sites that are personal or financial while using public Wi-Fi. Public networks don’t have nearly as many security protocols in place as your home network does, so hackers can easily access your private information and steal your identity or bank account numbers. In addition, avoid downloading large files or opening any attachments from suspicious emails sent by hackers over public Wi-Fi.

Use Antivirus Software

One of the easiest ways to stop hackers from getting into your computer is to use antivirus software. This is a free resource that will keep hackers from gaining access and can help protect you from viruses or malware attacks. Antivirus software also monitors your activity for suspicious behaviour; if anything looks amiss, it can block you from accessing websites or even delete files. It’s easy to overlook an obvious way of stopping hackers on your computer, but antimalware tools are a basic requirement for any PC user who values their privacy. If you don’t have an anti-virus program installed, find one and make sure it’s up-to-date with regular security updates.

Learn the Basics of Cyber Security

As with any major undertaking, it’s a good idea to become familiar with some of the basics before you begin. By arming yourself with some basic knowledge, you’ll be able to ask better questions when evaluating potential solutions. One area of cyber security that deserves your attention is phishing. Phishing is a form of online fraud where scammers attempt to trick you into giving up sensitive information (like credit card numbers and passwords) by creating sites that look legitimate but are actually fake versions set up by hackers.

Patch Your Devices

Make sure your devices are up-to-date. Outdated operating systems are often vulnerable, so make sure you have all of your software updated. If you're using an old computer, consider updating it or buying a new one if possible; and be vigilant in protecting yourself from viruses and Trojans.

Use Strong Passwords

This is easier said than done, I know. It may feel like you’re doing nothing but creating passwords all day, every day, but if you’re doing it correctly, then at least each one will be strong. One great way to create a memorable (and therefore strong) password is to include a simple song lyric or quote within your unique password—but that doesn’t mean you can use 1234. To stop hackers on your computer, use passwords with a variety of characters including lowercase letters and uppercase letters as well as symbols or punctuation marks (but no spaces). And keep in mind that if you're writing down your passwords, they're not really secure!

Keep All Systems Up-to-Date

If a hacker can gain access to your computer, there’s a good chance that he or she will try to plant malicious software. Making sure all of your system software—operating systems, browsers, and plugins—are up-to-date is crucial in preventing hackers from getting access. Keep all of these pieces of software updated and patched as soon as updates are available. The best way to stay secure is by making sure you’re always running version numbers above what is most commonly used by others.

Avoid Exposing Sensitive Information Online

The most basic step in stopping hackers from accessing your computer is to avoid exposing sensitive information online. It may seem like common sense, but storing your passwords, credit card information and other personal data online can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and viruses. Use a password manager (like LastPass or 1Password) instead of writing down your passwords or saving them in plain text files. And change those passwords often—the longer they stay unchanged, the longer they stay vulnerable. If you don’t want to switch over completely (or if a site doesn’t support it), at least generate strong passwords that are impossible for even yourself to remember—try using a tool like How Secure Is My Password? to test out your passwords before committing them to memory!

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

You can stop hackers on your computer by using two-factor authentication. It’s also a good idea to use a password manager and get into the habit of changing your passwords regularly. If you have sensitive data stored anywhere, make sure it’s encrypted—it may sound like overkill, but better safe than sorry. You can stop hackers when they try to breach your security by installing an anti-virus program and updating it regularly. You can limit risks by only opening emails from senders you know or downloading documents from sources you trust—you should also consider getting rid of attachments if you don’t know what they are.

Secure Wireless Access Points

One of your first steps in protecting your computer from cyber threats is to make sure that all wireless access points are encrypted. If you’re working at home, for example, make sure all of your devices—such as laptops and smartphones—have been set up with a secure wireless protocol. For example, if your laptop uses an older version of WEP or WPA encryption (instead of WPA2), consider upgrading its software or using another device entirely. Otherwise, hackers could gain access by piggybacking off an unsecured signal.

Broshield - How to Stop Hackers on Your Computer

When it comes to keeping your computer safe from online threats, there are two kinds of people: those who take proactive measures, and those who do nothing. If you’re not one of these two kinds of people, you should be—and if you need a little help in that department, Broshield is an excellent software program designed specifically for home users. It’s easy to install, offers three unique protections against cyber threats and won’t slow down your computer during regular use. And best of all? It’s completely free!