Every individual today, especially those glued to a computer, should agree that computer security is no longer an option but a necessity. This is primarily due to rising global threats with various types of cyber attacks targeting individuals and organizations.
But what does ‘computer security’ exactly mean? In simpler terms, it’s defined as the strategies and practices employed to protect computers, networks, and data from unauthorized access, destruction, or theft.
Consider this: Would you leave your house unlocked while you’re on vacation? Probably not. The same logic applies to computers; they become easy targets for swindlers if left unguarded and unprotected.
In light of that, computer security, or cybersecurity, is the digital lock that keeps your sensitive information well guarded—be it confidential documents or bank passwords—from unscrupulous individuals, malware, or viruses.
Research indicates that the costs of cybercrime will top trillion dollars in the coming years.
Data thefts, ransomware, phishing, and other online scams are growing increasingly alarming trends and an even greater cause of concern.
Your online life is forever in danger without having sound security in place. The term weak security is not just an inconvenience or a bother but could potentially spell disaster, resulting in data loss, harm to finances, or even sensitive and personal information in the public domain.
So, who needs computer security? In short: everyone. From big corporations that possess sensitive customer data to simple management of bank accounts and sending emails, no one is immune.
Threats are real, but the good news is that you can significantly reduce your exposure by learning and using computer security.
Let’s now briefly look at the types of threats, best protective practices, and how you might stay one step ahead in the cybersecurity game.
Types of computer security threats:
In the domain of computer security, awareness of threats is just half the battle. Let us outline some of the more popular forms of cyber threats and their effects on us.
Malware:
Any software that was created with the intention to damage your machine is malware. The meaning of the term “malware” encompasses the meanings of the terms virus, worm, spyware, and trojan. These programs are capable of deleting files, stealing data, or putting your system to harm in many different ways.
Viruses:
A virus attaches itself to operation files or programs and gets propagated whenever these files are exchanged. It is capable of damaging files or even deleting them, as well as slowing down and ruining your system.
For example, if a person downloads a pirated game with a hidden virus, their desktops and laptops can be affected.
Worms:
Worms can reproduce on their own and perpetuate infection on entire networks. If viruses are typically spread by user action, worms do not require a user to be infected.
Picture a scenario in an office where one infected email can easily transmit worms to all other devices.
Spyware:
Spyware functions overtly to gather personal information while hiding itself inside the user’s operating system. It may record keystrokes (like tracking your credit card number) or online behaviors for data theft.
Trojans:
Named after the infamous wooden horse from Greek mythology, Trojans disguise themselves as helpful programs. Once downloaded, a trojan may allow cybercriminals to enter a computer and steal personal or financial data.
Ransomware:
Ransomware is one of the most awful kinds of malware. It locks or encodes your documents and then demands the payment of money to unlock them. Even after payment, there is no assurance that the attacker will unlock the data.
In 2017, thousands of institutions, even hospitals, were hit by the WannaCry ransomware attack. Medical personnel were not able to get patient history documents, causing many people to panic.
The attackers demanded payment in Bitcoin, but many companies that used this strategy failed to get back their information.
Ransomware must be avoided at all costs since it can be extremely detrimental to the organizations affected as business processes will grind to a halt. Individuals, too, face extreme repercussions, such as being deprived of vital documents.
Phishing:
Phishing refers to a tactic employed by cybercriminals in which people are deceived into revealing personal details. This practice involves the fraudulent use of a legitimate company’s identity, whereby emails or messages are sent that appear to be authentic.
Phishing also encompasses instigating the victim to follow a phishing link or download a virus-infected file.
For example, you might receive an email purportedly from your bank advising, “There has been an unauthorized transaction on your account. Click here to reset your password.” If you click on and enter your details, cybercriminals will have access to your account lockout information.
Not only individuals do succumb to phishing attacks; businesses are attacked as well. For instance, an employee may be sent an email that appears to be an important request from the company’s CEO, which would result in the company’s sensitive data being compromised.
Data breaches:
A data breach refers to when an unauthorized entity manages to break into a computer system and extract confidential data, which may include names, phone numbers, credit cards, trade secrets, and so forth.
Data breaches, however, can be very expensive for businesses, amounting to millions of dollars and much more through loss of customer loyalty.
In March 2024, Latitude Financial, an Australian financial services company, experienced a breach that exposed the personal details of about 14 million customers. This included sensitive information like driver’s licenses, passports, and Medicare numbers. The incident drew widespread criticism and highlighted vulnerabilities in their data security.
Similarly, in February 2024, Toyota disclosed a misconfigured cloud bucket that led to the exposure of data from 2.15 million customers over nearly a decade. Information such as email addresses and details from Toyota’s T-Connect service were accessed, raising concerns over cloud mismanagement and long-term data risks.
Social engineering:
Rather than rely on exploiting technical vulnerabilities, social engineering tactics work by manipulating human psychology. The attackers deceive their targets and obtain some unauthorized access or sensitive information that the victim possesses.
Social engagers try to create a sense of urgency. For example, they may call on you, impersonating someone from the technical department, claiming that your computer has been infected. In such a scenario, you may panic and provide remote access or your login details.
The CEO Fraud email scam is a typical case. The fraudster impersonating a higher company official gives instructions to an employee to wire money without delay. These and other similar scams have cost millions of dollars to companies.
The reason behind why it works: People are the weakest link in security. Even the best security features cannot protect against someone who willingly gives their password to a fraudster.
Essential security features in modern computers:
Now that you are aware of infamous threats, it is important to consider security features and functions in your computer.
Here is what to ensure you have:
Trusted platform module (TPM):
TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, which is located on the motherboard of your computer. This chip aids in the protection of critical data. It secures sensitive information, such as encryption keys and passwords, in a way that makes it difficult to lose.
In case of an intrusion attempt at your computer, the TPM technology makes stolen encrypted data fairly unlikely to happen.
This is a must-have for businesses, specifically those that handle sensitive data. Luckily, most modern business laptops come with this feature. For personal use, TPM is helpful if you store sensitive files or use your computer for online banking.
Authentication via biometric:
Biometric authentication unlocks your computer by using distinctive physical characteristics, such as your face or fingerprint. Because it depends on who you are rather than merely what you know, this is not like other passwords.
An additional degree of security is provided by biometric authentication. Your fingerprint and facial traits are difficult for someone to duplicate, even if they manage to figure out your password. It’s a practical and safe method of protecting your computer from cybercriminals.
Many use their fingerprints or their face scans to unlock their phone. All such security is now provided by computers. For a person who very often forgets their passwords, having their computer unlocked by their face or fingerprint may make life much easier.
Hardware encryption:
Encryption transforms data into a code that only a few individuals can decode. Hardware encryption is built-in direct encryption at the hardware level; hence, it is strong and fast compared to software encryption.
Using it would ensure that in the event of theft, your data are safe within the computer through hardware encryption, and they cannot be accessed unless a valid decryption key exists.
For companies, it prevents sensitive information on clients from being accessed. On personal levels, it ensures personal files, whether photos or financial information, are safe and sound.
Secure boot:
Secure boot is another important security measure that guarantees that the computer system only boots up software that is trusted.
This is exactly how it works; it doesn’t let any form of malicious malware or application sneak in and take over even before your operating system has started up.
Put more simply, it’s a precaution that guarantees your computer will boot up safely and that no dangerous or unexpected software will take over.
From the instant you press the power button, it begins to function to keep your system safe from potential threats before your operating system has a chance to defend itself.
Choosing the right security software for your computer:
We live in a world where each click and every link could be a risk. But fear not; protecting your computer is no rocket science. No matter what it is you do on your computer, whether managing sensitive business data or simply browsing the web, you always want to ensure that it is secure.
So how do you go about it?
Let’s take it step by step.
Types of computer security: Physical, network, and software security
You might be thinking, “What type of security do I need on my computer?” They are mainly categorized under three types: physical security, network security, and software security.
Physical security refers to storing your computer in a secure location from being stolen.
Firewalls, network security, and other efforts that help protect your internet connection are all part of the picture.
It is like software security, where all you need are a few antivirus and malware protections to keep your systems safe from the digital threats around.
The most common kind of computer security is software-based, such as antivirus software. However, do not neglect the role of firewalls, as they are an integral part of a balanced security approach.
Basically, the firewall serves as a digital barrier that separates your computer from any potential threats over the internet, effectively blocking all bad traffic to your computer.
Top security software options:
There are plenty of options when it comes to software, but how do you select one?
Here’s how:
Norton 360:
It is a very effective, multifaceted solution that has antivirus, firewall, VPN, and password management as well. If you have money to spend, you should go for Norton. It comes not only in handy but even more so for those who keep a large number of private/sensitive details or use their computers for banking and online shopping.
McAfee Total Protection:
This one also includes a lot of protective features. It protects against viruses and identity theft and has a firewall as well. People constantly wonder, “How much does McAfee charge yearly?” Well, it depends, anywhere from $30 to $100, with features and number of devices being the driving factors. McAfee can be seen giving offers and may do so in the future as well, so look out for free trial offers to see if you can still use it when tested.
Bitdefender:
Bitdefender provides a hassle-free experience by offering robust malware protection and speed to the users and is certainly one of the best in the business. It enhances the system security perfectly without the fear of laggy operations.
Kaspersky Internet Security:
It is a well-rounded application as it provides malware protection and anti-phishing tools when needed, making Kaspersky a perfect match for users looking for security with ease of use.
It’s a safe choice for personal use in particular, such as online banking and shopping, which require enhanced security features.
Free Options like Avast or Microsoft Defender:
It is true that there is a free provision for computer protection. Microsoft Defender is built into it, and Avast has a trustworthy free version too.
These are optimal if one requires simple protection but for such persons who handle sensitive data in bulk, a subscription program may be more desirable.
Best practices for maintaining computer security:
There are precautionary measures that you can adopt to protect your computer. As such, let us dwell on a couple of simple and practical measures that one can take to protect and enhance their computer information system security.
Keep your software up to date:
This one’s a no-brainer but often gets overlooked. Your computer’s operating system (like Windows or macOS), as well as your apps and software, need regular updates.
Gaining new features is not the only purpose of these updates. It is common for updates to address weaknesses that may be potential entry points for cybercriminals. When that update notification pops up, don’t hit “Remind me later” a million times. Take a few minutes to update your software.
Pro Tip: Turn on automatic updates. Most devices allow you to enable automatic software updates. This way, your computer will always be up to date without you having to think about it.
Use strong, unique passwords:
The very basic ones like “Fluffy123” simply won’t work anymore. Passwords should be made hard to breach. The best approach would include using a phrase with a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A good example is ‘C@tChM3!fY0uCan’ which is much harder to crack.
- Don’t write down personal details: It is not wise to use, say, your name, day of birth, or name of your favorite actor, as they can be easily found out.
- Try a Password Manager: Consider tools such as LastPass or 1Password for generating and saving complicated passwords since you would only have one main password to remember.
Bonus Tip: Change your passwords regularly, especially for important accounts like your email and bank accounts.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA):
MFA is like increased security around doors and windows. Even if a person is able to access your password, they will still require an extra measure like a code to be received through the mobile phone or email.
It does not really take over a few seconds to log in but makes the whole process painful and cumbersome.
- When to use MFA: Apply MFA to any account that supports MFA. Most of all for banking, email, and social networks.
- What are the common MFA methods: SMS codes, Google Authenticator, Authy, and any other mobile token apps, and also biometric methods such as fingerprints or face scans?
- How does this benefit you? Regardless of whether your information was compromised, cybercriminals cannot use this information to get access to your account without going through yet another level of security outside the password.
Conduct regular backups:
What will you do if you have been working on a project for weeks and, out of nowhere, your computer breaks down and all your progress is gone? Terrifying, right? Backups save the day by keeping copies of your important files in a separate location, so you never have to worry about losing data.
- How to make a backup: There are cloud-based services that perform backups, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, or you might purchase an external hard disk for backup.
- Scheduled backups: Most modern computer operating systems come with these features that assist you in setting routines for automatic backups. To illustrate, Windows comes with Backup and Restore, while macOS offers Time Machine.
- Which files to back up: Always try to keep what is most valuable to you, such as documents, images, and other work stuff. If you can, consider backing up your entire system.
- How often to backup: Remember to, at the very least, backup your files weekly.
Security regulations and compliance purpose:
Protecting the sensitive data and information of any company is critical in nature, as the information for instance, personal details or medical records of any patient, needs to be safeguarded with respect.
Fortunately, the practice of embedded regulations within organizations, such as the GDPR that resides in Europe while HIPAA exists in the United States of America, works to protect individuals’ confidential information against establishments.
Such regulations exist to ensure that personal data and obtained information do not go beyond the boundary it was intended for and are misplaced. Therefore, compliance with these regulations not only protects these data but also assures their clients they respect their privacy.
For businesses, ignoring compliance leads to avoidance of great risk. The risks associated with non-compliance include hefty penalties, legal issues, and even damage to the reputations of the firms.
To illustrate, in accordance with the GDPR, the penalty might reach 20 million euros or, alternatively, 4 percent of the annual income—whichever of the two proves greater. In the United States, a HIPAA violation may cost anything from $100 to $50,000 for each breach.
About complacency, it may be noted that data loss as a result of non-compliance may cause client loyalty to the organization to wither, which is a hard re-establishment. Therefore, all the sectors that handle sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, and technology, are strict with those rules.
Industries that should be cautious:
- Healthcare: Needs to abide by HIPAA regulations to avoid any breach of patient records and medical information.
- Finance: Banks and other companies engaged in financial services have laws to protect their clients’ information. Such laws include the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).
- Technology: Large multinational tech companies have to conform to laws such as GDPR in order to safeguard the privacy of user information.
Maintain proper cyber hygiene:
Maintaining proper cyber hygiene means having good practices when using the internet or computing devices. In this case, several practices could be implemented to protect yourself online:
- Be on the lookout for phishing attempts: Most phishing emails or texts invite you to give up certain personal information. When receiving emails that seem odd, avoid opening hyperlinks and downloading attachments. Look into the addresses given out and be especially cautious about messages that claim there is an emergency.
- Protect Your Wireless Internet Connection: Ensure that there is a login requirement for your wireless internet access at home. In case you have not done this yet, set a secure password and modify the default settings of your router.
- Avoid oversharing of information: Look out for the things you post on social platforms. Vice versa, the more you disclose to the public concerning your life, the fewer obstacles cybercriminals will have in trying to find out more about you.
- Exercise caution in public Wi-Fi: While public Wi-Fi is very helpful, it isn’t always the safest. In case there is a need or compulsion to use public Wi-Fi, a VPN can help in masking the connection.
- Adjust your firewall settings: Switch on the default firewall if disabled. In the Windows case, use Windows Defender Firewall and for Mac users, navigate to your firewall settings. Consider installing an externally sourced firewall when necessary.
Final thought:
Keeping your computer and information guarded against any security threats does not have to be complicated. Having said that, if you do take proactive measures, regular updates and make sure to have a rememberable password, along with the good practice of knowing what your online activity is, you’re already ahead of most of the other people out there.
While cyber-attacks indeed evolve with time, by following these best practices, there are very strong chances that you will be able to secure yourself in this digital arena.
Is it worth paying for computer security?
Another very common question is, “Should I pay for computer security?” Well, it’s a case of each situation being unique. If you do online banking, manage a business, or have many sensitive documents stored, then paying for some software is a good decision.
While purchasing these programs, however, many people focus on additional features such as secure web browsers or identity theft prevention. But if you only use your computer for casual tasks, free options can offer decent protection.