How to Keep Your Computer Safe for a Long Time

Computers are essential tools for many people nowadays. They help us with work, education, entertainment, communication, and more. 

However, computers are also vulnerable to various threats, such as malware, hackers, physical damage, and wear and tear. If you want to keep your computer safe and functional for a long time, you need to take some preventive measures and maintain it regularly. In this blog, I will share with you some of the best practices and tips on how to keep your computer safe for a long time.

Use a Firewall and Antivirus Software

One of the most important steps to protect your computer from online threats is to use a firewall and antivirus software. A firewall is a program that monitors and controls the network traffic between your computer and the internet. It can block unauthorized or suspicious connections and prevent hackers from accessing your computer. An antivirus software is a program that scans and removes malware, such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware, from your computer. Malware can damage your files, steal your personal information, or even lock your computer until you pay a ransom.

You should always keep your firewall and antivirus software up to date and running in the background. Windows 10 and Windows 8 have a built-in firewall and antivirus software called Windows Security or Windows Defender Security Center¹. You can also use other reputable antivirus software from trusted providers, such as Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky². You should also scan your computer regularly with another malware scanner, such as Malwarebytes Anti-malware³, to catch any malware that your antivirus software might miss.

Keep Your Software Updated

Another way to keep your computer safe is to keep your software updated. Software updates are essential for fixing bugs, improving performance, and adding new features. They also patch security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to attack your computer. You should enable automatic updates for Windows and other Microsoft applications in Windows Update⁴. You should also update your browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and other apps that you regularly use. You can check for updates manually or set them to update automatically in the settings of each app.

Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Passwords are the keys to your online accounts and your computer. If someone guesses or steals your password, they can access your personal information, files, emails, social media, bank accounts, and more. To prevent this, you should use strong and unique passwords for each account and your computer. A strong password is one that is long, complex, and random. It should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A unique password is one that you use for only one account and not for any other. You should also change your passwords regularly and never share them with anyone.

Don’t Click on Suspicious Links or Attachments

One of the most common ways that hackers and scammers try to infect your computer or steal your information is by sending you phishing emails or messages. Phishing is a technique that uses fake or spoofed emails or messages that look like they come from legitimate sources, such as your bank, your employer, or your friends. They often contain links or attachments that lead to malicious websites or files. If you click on them, you might download malware, reveal your personal information, or lose your money.

To avoid phishing, you should always be careful and skeptical when you receive emails or messages from unknown or unexpected sources. You should never click on links or attachments that you are not sure about. You should also check the sender’s address, the subject line, the spelling and grammar, and the tone of the email or message. If something looks suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. You can also use your browser’s security features, such as Microsoft Edge’s SmartScreen Filter, to block malicious websites and warn you about potential phishing attempts.

Browse the Web Safely

The web is a wonderful source of information, entertainment, and opportunities. However, it is also a place where you can encounter various risks, such as malware, scams, identity theft, and cyberbullying. To browse the web safely, you should follow some basic rules and tips. Here are some of them:

• Avoid visiting sites that offer potentially illegal or harmful content, such as pirated movies, music, books, or software. Many of these sites install malware on your computer or offer downloads that contain malware.
• Use a secure connection (HTTPS) when you visit sites that require your personal or financial information, such as online shopping, banking, or social media. A secure connection encrypts your data and prevents hackers from intercepting it. You can tell if a site is secure by looking for a lock icon or a green address bar in your browser.
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when you connect to public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, such as at a coffee shop, a hotel, or an airport. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your computer and the internet, hiding your IP address and encrypting your data. This way, you can protect your privacy and security from hackers and snoops who might try to spy on your online activity or steal your information.
• Use a privacy-focused browser, such as Brave, Firefox, or Tor, to protect your online privacy and reduce your exposure to online tracking, ads, and cookies. These browsers have features that block trackers, ads, and scripts that can collect your data and slow down your browsing. They also have options to enable private browsing or incognito mode, which prevents your browser from storing your history, cookies, and cache.

Do Not Use USBs or Other External Devices Unless You Own Them

USBs and other external devices, such as hard drives, flash drives, or memory cards, are convenient ways to store and transfer data. However, they can also be sources of malware or data theft. If you use a USB or an external device that belongs to someone else or comes from an unknown source, you might infect your computer with malware or expose your data to someone else. To prevent this, you should only use USBs or external devices that you own or trust. You should also scan them with your antivirus software before you use them. You should also encrypt your USBs or external devices with a password or a software, such as BitLocker or VeraCrypt, to protect your data in case you lose them or someone steals them.

Clean and Maintain Your Computer Regularly

Finally, to keep your computer safe for a long time, you should also clean and maintain it regularly. Cleaning and maintaining your computer can improve its performance, extend its lifespan, and prevent physical damage. Here are some of the things you should do to clean and maintain your computer:

• Dust and wipe your computer with a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth. Dust and dirt can clog your vents, fans, and keyboard, causing overheating, noise, and malfunction. You should also use a compressed air can or a vacuum cleaner to blow away the dust from the inside of your computer, especially the CPU and the GPU. You should do this at least once a month or more often if you live in a dusty environment.
• Organize and backup your files. You should delete or move any unnecessary or duplicate files from your computer to free up space and speed up your system. You should also backup your important files to an external device or a cloud service, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, to prevent data loss in case of a crash, a virus, or a theft. You should do this at least once a week or more often if you work with sensitive or critical data.

• Defrag and optimize your disk. Defragmenting and optimizing your disk can improve your computer’s performance and efficiency by rearranging the files on your disk and reducing the fragmentation. You can use the built-in Disk Defragmenter or Optimize Drives tool in Windows to do this. You should do this at least once a month or more often if you use your computer heavily.
• Update and uninstall your drivers and programs. Drivers and programs are software that enable your computer to communicate with your hardware and other software. You should update your drivers and programs regularly to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features. You should also uninstall any drivers or programs that you no longer use or need to free up space and resources. You can use the Device Manager or the Programs and Features tool in Windows to do this. You should do this at least once every three months or more often if you encounter any issues with your drivers or programs.

Conclusion

Keeping your computer safe for a long time is not a difficult task, but it requires some attention and care. By following the tips and practices that I shared with you in this blog, you can protect your computer from online and offline threats, improve its performance and efficiency, and extend its lifespan.