Did you know, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were over 280,000 cases of cyber crime reported in 2012 alone? This marks an 8.3% increase since 2011. With 78.1% of the U.S. population, over 245 million people, using the internet as of June 2012, according to Internet World Stats, the fact is there are more targets than ever for cyber criminals. If you want to protect your identity, your hard earned money, you need to be proactive about your digital defense. Here are three ways to improve your online security.
- Encrypt Your Files
- Stop Clicking on Mysterious Links
- Avoid Seedy Downloads
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One of the best ways to improve your online safety is to encrypt your data. Melania Pinola of Lifehacker points out that you do not need to encrypt every single file installed on your machine. However, you should encrypt any information that is uniquely yours. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is like gold for cyber criminals. This includes your passport number, passwords, social security info, and other items unique to you.
Further, if you are a creative type, encrypt all intellectual property. Writing a book? Encrypt it. Just recorded your first album? Encrypt it. Encryption does not have to cost you anything. Sophos Free Encryption and AxCrypt are two extremely well thought of programs that are free to use. It may take a little time and effort to encrypt your sensitive data, but it beats having it stolen should someone break into your system.
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Rob Paterson of Robyn Paterson.com writes that just because you receive a link in your e-mail does not mean you have to open it. Use common sense. If you receive an e-mail from someone you do not know, do not click on any links unless you want a worm computer virus. Likewise, if your best friend sends you something that looks suspicious, check with them before you open it. All sorts of Trojans, like key-loggers and data mining programs, can be installed by following these links. If you avoid suspicious links, you are much less likely to catch a virus. No virus means you never have to worry about how to remove computer viruses.
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Tim Parker of Investopedia writes that “staying out of bad neighborhoods” is a surefire way to stay safe online. What constitutes a digital “bad neighborhood”? Adult websites, piracy websites, and hacker hangouts are all great examples. If you do visit these places, at least do not download anything. You may get the file you were looking for, but you will also pick up some nasty threats to your cyber security. Remember, if you never catch one, you never have to learn how to remove computer viruses. Be proactive!
The best offense against the latest cyber crimes is a solid defense. Being careless with your digital life is a great way to have money, identity, and intellectual property stolen from underneath you. A virus can manifest itself as a key-logger, as an inhibitor to your anti-virus software, or as something much more innocuous but extremely annoying. If you live by the rule of avoiding hostile programs, you will never have to remove computer viruses.