It is also the time where if you connect to the internet and do not secure your access, it will be like leaving your front door open with a sign “Robbers Welcome”. The Internet is full of evils, including viruses, trojans, and spyware; thus, computer security plays an important role in maintaining the problem on its porch. Although you might feel that the simple antivirus software from Windows is just enough, modern-day threats require a more comprehensive package to ensure your safety.
The First Line of Defense: Firewalls
The firewall is the first line of defense for your computer when another system attempts to contact it. Just like a door at your house, it acts as a protective barrier between your computer and the internet, checking who or what wants to pass through unauthorized access. If you have a properly set-up firewall, it becomes quite impossible for hackers or any other malicious program to enter your system. Firewalls are necessary, but they may not be perfect. Having a security measure fully penetrate-proof is impossible; therefore, you need additional layers of protection.
What An Antivirus Software Does
Installing a firewall won’t be enough without having a reliable antivirus program that constantly scans your computer for detection of any possible risk or malware. While threats may be evolving quickly, antivirus software provides real-time protection — detecting and eliminating threats before they can cause any damage. It will be far easier for your antivirus program to identify and protect against all new threats if it is kept updated.
Hidden Threat: Spyware
Online, nothing is worse than spyware. Spyware is more subtle because it doesn’t carry a threatening payload like viruses. Instead, it runs in the background and logs everything you do on your computer — including tracking your web activities. It can also collect data from keystrokes made while logged into websites, including sensitive information like credit card or password details.
You can obtain spyware on your PC simply by downloading music files, screensavers, or games. Sometimes someone you trust — your spouse or employer, for example — installs it without telling you. Like viruses and other malware, protecting yourself from spyware requires an anti-spyware program. This utility focuses on spyware, locating and deleting it from your computer. While your antivirus system may provide some protection against spyware, anti-spyware programs are intended to be a more thorough and aggressive defense against these subtle threats.
So Do You Really Need All That Protection?
Having a Firewall, Antivirus, and Anti-Spyware Software might seem like overkill. The fact is, each of these tools has a different job to do in keeping your computer secure.
- Firewalls help prevent unauthorized access to your computer.
- Antivirus software protects against viruses and malware that sneak past the firewall.
- Anti-Spyware software defends against hidden threats designed to gather information about you.
Combined, they form a multi-layered defense that significantly minimizes the chance of your PC being compromised. This is like locking your doors and windows and arming your alarm before leaving home. Nothing is foolproof, but this will certainly make it much harder for an intruder to breach your defenses.
How To Stay Safe Online
With most of us depending on our computers for both personal and business uses, the consequences of a security breach could be disastrous. If you lose your important information or someone infiltrates your system, the result could be catastrophic — loss of privacy, huge financial loss, and damaged reputation.
The ease with which you can protect that virtual front door should be as simple and automatic as locking your physical home. Thankfully, there are more affordable and user-friendly software options that can help keep your computer safe while you surf the web. View the full range of products designed to make your computer safer with VaultLock. Act now before it is too late — secure your digital life today.