We look forward to providing you with secure solutions, but since we care deeply about your security, here are a few pieces of advice in the meantime. Don't worry if you don't understand everything. It's a lot to take in. We will be happy to explain anything or assist you with implementing these steps during a consultation or remote service.
Back up your data
Any data you care about should be backed up in at least two places. There are numerous options for this including cloud backups, external SSDs, flash drives, ... . There are options for creating incremental snapshots of your entire system, or you can manually copy files, or something in between. We can handle the entire process for you.
Use a firewall
A firewall acts as a barrier to prevent unauthorized access to your device while connected to the internet, we advise you to make sure yours is enabled. Most operating systems come with a firewall installed, but often do not have it enabled by default. Historically, firewalls would often conflict with online games and other programs, however with modern technology this less common, if a conflict does arise we can configure your firewill to work for you.
Verify Programs
Don't run anything you don't trust, and always use official sources for your downloads. Be extremely cautious about running programs you download off the internet, and verify your downloads when possible.
Updates: Keeping up with security updates is important
Ideally you should check for and install security updates every time you use your computer. Vulnerabilities are often discovered and patched on a daily basis.
Power Off / Disconnect the Internet
Some malicious software can run in the background, and even wait until your computer is inactive to kick in. Disconnecting the internet is the most important first step if you think your computer has been infected. After disconnecting the internet, turn your computer off and bring it in for a full virus / malware removal.
Anti-Virus Software
It is a good idea to regularly scan your computer for viruses, and to use real-time detection services. If you use Windows, you can use Windows Defender, which is free and already built-in to Windows. There are good or better alternatives, but be cautious about which service you choose. It's best to try to avoid viruses in the first place rather than relying on virus scans.
Avoid http: Use https
Most browsers have an indicator immediately to the left of the address bar which tells you if a page is using http or https. Using http is not secure, and can leave you vulnerable to data-theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other cyber attacks. On the other hand, https is encrypted which makes it far less vulnerable.
