Most people assume they’re not interesting enough to be a target for hackers. The reality is that most attacks aren’t targeted at all - they’re automated, and they hit whoever has a weak spot. Here are five straightforward things you can do to stop being an easy mark.
1. Turn On Automatic Updates
Outdated software is the single most common way computers get compromised. When Windows or your browser prompts you to update, that update usually includes security fixes for vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited. Turning on automatic updates means you’re not relying on yourself to remember.
This applies to Windows, your browser, and any software you use regularly.
2. Use a Different Password for Every Important Account
If one site gets hacked and you use the same password everywhere, every account that shares that password is now at risk. A password manager (like Bitwarden, which is free) handles this for you - you only need to remember one master password and it generates and stores unique passwords for everything else.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Your Email
Your email account is the master key to everything else. If someone gets into your email, they can reset the password on every other account you have. Two-factor authentication (2FA) means even if someone has your password, they still can’t get in without a second verification step - usually a code sent to your phone.
Set this up on your email first. Everything else is secondary.
4. Be Skeptical of Unexpected Emails and Pop-Ups
Phishing emails have gotten much better at looking legitimate. If an email asks you to click a link and log in somewhere - especially for banks, Microsoft, Apple, or Amazon - go directly to that site by typing the address yourself rather than clicking the link.
The same goes for pop-ups claiming your computer is infected and you need to call a number immediately. Legitimate software doesn’t work that way. Close the browser tab and run a scan with your actual antivirus.
5. Make Sure You Actually Have a Working Backup
If ransomware hits your computer, or a hard drive fails, the only thing that guarantees you get your files back is a backup that was made before the problem happened. Many people think they have a backup when they don’t - OneDrive syncing your Documents folder is not the same as a proper backup.
A simple external drive with automatic backup software, or a cloud backup service like Backblaze, covers most home users completely. If you’re not sure what you have, it’s worth checking before you need it.