Threats litter the Internet. No matter where you go on the Internet, there is bound to be a scam or some suspicious proposal looking to infiltrate your PC. Why are there so many bad guys? Considering that the Internet provides, if you wish, the absolute anonymity needed to carry out any kind of crime or anything else suspicious you can think of. It's not so crazy that it's the perfect place for evil.
Just because these threats run rampant everywhere doesn't mean you have to get caught up in them, quite the contrary, there is no shortage of security applications capable of protecting your computer and your identity while surfing the net. Of course, if you want maximum security, you may have to pay a few euros; but I don't think it will be more than around 6 €.
A virtual private network
A virtual private network, or VPN, allows you to hide your identity. How does a VPN manage to do that?
The VPN takes your IP address and hides it. The VPN will assign you a different "cover" IP address than your real one. The connection data is routed through the VPN server which will be located in another country of your choice. This is why VPNs are so popular when it comes to bypassing any content restrictions that may exist.
The downside of VPNs. It is that you will almost certainly need to spend some money to receive a continuous service that works acceptably. You can always find some free VPNs, but you should bear in mind that they will have a limited connection capacity; therefore, they will only be useful for specific and punctual moments, and not for constant browsing.
VPNs are certainly a necessity nowadays, so make sure you find a VPN provider with a good reputation, contract your service and start enjoying the web to the fullest without having to worry about your privacy.
A malware scanner
Most operating systems lack the need for dedicated antivirus software. Windows Defender, the included antivirus software for Windows, does a good job on its own.
MacOS and Linux do not suffer as much from viruses as Windows does. There are not really many viruses designed for Unix-based software; despite the vision of being invincible and impossible to attack operating systems.
They have been outraged in recent times, as the growth of Android as the world's most used OS undoubtedly puts these devices in the main focus of crackers worldwide.
Therefore, one software you need without any doubt: it is a malware scanner. These scanners / analyzers are designed to flag and quarantine various forms of malware (adware, spyware, etc.).
Malware is anything that is designed to go undetected by the antivirus application, so it pays to always have a good malware scanner on hand. The best part of all, is that most malware scanners are free in their most basic functions, which in principle is going to be all you need.
The most recognized, used and the one I recommend is Malwarebytes.
That said, it would also be recommended to get some software called AntiRootkit. Malwarebytes Anti Rootkits itself has created one. Otherwise, you can use GMER.
Why is this necessary? Well, an AntiRootkit scans certain parts that neither the antivirus, nor the antimalwares are able to scan; for example, it detects viruses that attack the MBR or Master Boot Record.
A well-configured firewall
Firewalls have been a staple of network security for decades, and are a standard for most PCs today. Windows, still the most widely used operating system for PCs, comes with its own built-in firewall. However, while most people use that firewall, not many take the time to configure it for their own needs or to focus on certain situations.
Of course, learning all the settings, opening or closing ports and numerous other options possible thanks to our firewall takes a lot of time to learn and work, but it is highly recommended to take the time to learn, as a firewall can protect you from many highly unpleasant threats directed directly at your computer.
The importance of the firewall increases if your PC is a laptop and if you spend more time studying and working at university, internet cafes or other public places rather than at home.
Fortunately, there are many guides on the Internet that can help you configure the firewall depending on your Operating System and your needs.
A correctly configured router
This is a parameter that in some cases can be complex to modify, since you depend in part on the company you work with to do so; in addition to requiring a minimum of knowledge.
You can always ask your telephone operator for help if you want more protection.
The router is a hardware element, but it has its own little software and that is what we should focus on. With the IP address and password of your access panel you can get to the configuration of the router itself and for example; configure different parameters of the connection, the security settings and which ports are open or closed.
It is advisable to configure the appropriate settings within the router as this will make it more difficult for other people to connect to your network, with all the possible problems that this may entail.
Conclusion
As I discussed at the beginning of this article, there are a lot of threats out there on the Internet, but that doesn't have to mean that you are defenseless. There are tons of security software applications available and they all offer different solutions to different problems, combined correctly they can create your own little security paradise.
Don't let any more time pass and worry about your security in this year 2020, go ahead and start building a secure foundation for your technology!
Just because these threats run rampant everywhere doesn't mean you have to get caught up in them, quite the contrary, there is no shortage of security applications capable of protecting your computer and your identity while surfing the net. Of course, if you want maximum security, you may have to pay a few euros; but I don't think it will be more than around 6 €.
A virtual private network
A virtual private network, or VPN, allows you to hide your identity. How does a VPN manage to do that?
The VPN takes your IP address and hides it. The VPN will assign you a different "cover" IP address than your real one. The connection data is routed through the VPN server which will be located in another country of your choice. This is why VPNs are so popular when it comes to bypassing any content restrictions that may exist.
The downside of VPNs. It is that you will almost certainly need to spend some money to receive a continuous service that works acceptably. You can always find some free VPNs, but you should bear in mind that they will have a limited connection capacity; therefore, they will only be useful for specific and punctual moments, and not for constant browsing.
VPNs are certainly a necessity nowadays, so make sure you find a VPN provider with a good reputation, contract your service and start enjoying the web to the fullest without having to worry about your privacy.
A malware scanner
Most operating systems lack the need for dedicated antivirus software. Windows Defender, the included antivirus software for Windows, does a good job on its own.
MacOS and Linux do not suffer as much from viruses as Windows does. There are not really many viruses designed for Unix-based software; despite the vision of being invincible and impossible to attack operating systems.
They have been outraged in recent times, as the growth of Android as the world's most used OS undoubtedly puts these devices in the main focus of crackers worldwide.
Therefore, one software you need without any doubt: it is a malware scanner. These scanners / analyzers are designed to flag and quarantine various forms of malware (adware, spyware, etc.).
Malware is anything that is designed to go undetected by the antivirus application, so it pays to always have a good malware scanner on hand. The best part of all, is that most malware scanners are free in their most basic functions, which in principle is going to be all you need.
The most recognized, used and the one I recommend is Malwarebytes.
That said, it would also be recommended to get some software called AntiRootkit. Malwarebytes Anti Rootkits itself has created one. Otherwise, you can use GMER.
Why is this necessary? Well, an AntiRootkit scans certain parts that neither the antivirus, nor the antimalwares are able to scan; for example, it detects viruses that attack the MBR or Master Boot Record.
A well-configured firewall
Firewalls have been a staple of network security for decades, and are a standard for most PCs today. Windows, still the most widely used operating system for PCs, comes with its own built-in firewall. However, while most people use that firewall, not many take the time to configure it for their own needs or to focus on certain situations.
Of course, learning all the settings, opening or closing ports and numerous other options possible thanks to our firewall takes a lot of time to learn and work, but it is highly recommended to take the time to learn, as a firewall can protect you from many highly unpleasant threats directed directly at your computer.
The importance of the firewall increases if your PC is a laptop and if you spend more time studying and working at university, internet cafes or other public places rather than at home.
Fortunately, there are many guides on the Internet that can help you configure the firewall depending on your Operating System and your needs.
A correctly configured router
This is a parameter that in some cases can be complex to modify, since you depend in part on the company you work with to do so; in addition to requiring a minimum of knowledge.
You can always ask your telephone operator for help if you want more protection.
The router is a hardware element, but it has its own little software and that is what we should focus on. With the IP address and password of your access panel you can get to the configuration of the router itself and for example; configure different parameters of the connection, the security settings and which ports are open or closed.
It is advisable to configure the appropriate settings within the router as this will make it more difficult for other people to connect to your network, with all the possible problems that this may entail.
Conclusion
As I discussed at the beginning of this article, there are a lot of threats out there on the Internet, but that doesn't have to mean that you are defenseless. There are tons of security software applications available and they all offer different solutions to different problems, combined correctly they can create your own little security paradise.
Don't let any more time pass and worry about your security in this year 2020, go ahead and start building a secure foundation for your technology!