In the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity, optimization and efficiency play an important role in both your work and overall security online. Knowing about potential threats and how to effectively combat or control them is the key to enhanced online security. The last thing anyone wants is to see their personal data stolen, have their financial information compromised or deal with the effects of malware on their system.
As time marches on, new types of malware, spyware, ransomware (malicious software that holds your system or data hostage and releases it for a price) and other viruses are finding their way onto vulnerable systems across the world. Maximizing and enhancing your own online security will not only provide peace of mind for yourself but keep your family and all of your devices secure while online. Here are a few ways to enhance your online security using common sense, knowledge and antivirus software.
Understand The Variety Of Online Threats
What is an online threat, exactly? The short answer is any malicious act that damages data, engages in theft of personal and financial data, or causes a disruption in your daily online activity. These include (but aren’t limited to) the following:
- Computer viruses
- Phishing
- Malware
- Trojans
- Ransomware
- Spyware
- Data Breaches
- Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Knowing and understanding the depth of these threats is only part of the equation. Finding a way to mitigate the threat they pose to your online security rests in the right software solution that will protect your devices in a way that’s unobtrusive and easy to use.
Find The Right Antivirus Software Solution to Suit Your Needs
If knowledge is power when it comes to online security, the right antivirus program is a secret weapon. There are a few things to look for when selecting the right program. Look for something with high detection rates, layered protection, quality privacy practices, useability and the ability to block the behavior of certain programs that may have malicious intent. You’ll also want to look for an antivirus program that limits the number of false positives – a legitimate piece of software that is classified as malware – in its detection methods. Consider using an internet max security antivirus that contains features like these and everything else you need to feel safe and secure while online.
Optimize All of Your Devices
What’s better than keeping your main device safe? Optimizing and protecting all of your devices across both shared and local files. Protecting desktop, laptop and mobile devices all at the same time is easy with the right tools. Some antivirus software allows a single license/program to provide protection for multiple devices. Consider looking for a program that works across platforms (PC, Mac, Android, etc.) with safeguards in place for cloud-based services to use across your devices. As if that weren’t enough, the program can speed up and optimize your devices through constant monitoring and destruction of malware.
Protect Your Family From Fraud, Phishing And Other Scams
Per The Federal Trade Commission, 3.2 million cases of online financial fraud and/or identity theft or reported in 2019 alone. While financial fraud is prevalent across any point of commerce (including the massive POS data breaches of the past few years), victims of phishing and other online or email scams are becoming a bit more common. Thankfully, antivirus software can help to guard your financial data by helping to ensure the validity of a payment point online and help flag/inform users of suspicious emails or other online communications.
Take Control Over Your Privacy
There are many ways to take control of your own privacy while staying safe and connected. The first step in protecting your privacy is to make sure your system is completely up-to-date and the browser is secure. Make sure you know your systems firewall settings that everything is up-to-date and functioning properly. A good antivirus program will have a robust browser protection system in place that can help keep your data private while you or your family browse online. It’s also wise not to visit any potentially dangerous websites and be very careful how you’re sharing your personal data online. Combining a common sense, knowledge-heavy and pragmatic approach with quality antivirus software will keep you safe and secure in our increasingly digital world.
