What Is Computer Security and What Does It Protect Me From?

When most of us go to bed every night, we make a lap around the house checking that all our doors and windows are locked. We arm security systems, turn on porch lights, and make sure cars are locked and garages are closed. So if we take that much trouble making sure our physical possessions are protected, why wouldn’t we take just as much care protecting our valuable information?

Computer security is designed to help protect your information from hackers and online predators. Read on to answer the question, “What is computer security?” and to learn about some of the more common threats you may face online.

What Is Computer Security?

When we imagine security, many of us might think of locking up valuables in a physical location. But computer security is a set of measures designed to protect your information, not your physical assets. These measures can include everything from having passwords that are hard to guess to not opening suspicious emails or websites.

Nearly every part of our lives is impacted by the internet these days. Our bank accounts, utilities, mortgages, work lives, social lives, and entertainment are all accessible through the internet. Computer security keeps experienced hackers from manipulating those online systems and stealing everything from your identity to your money.

Malware

One of the most common online threats is malware. This software, sometimes known as a virus, is designed to make your computer hard or impossible to use. You may find that you’re getting disturbing popups or that your files are disappearing or your computer shuts down at random intervals.

Malware can be hidden almost anywhere on the internet, including in emails, on websites, in videos or photos you download, or in files you receive. And once the virus is on your computer, it can be very hard to find it to remove it. These programs specialize in hiding themselves in the depths of your computer, and if you aren’t trained to know how to find them, they can lurk there for months or years.

Spyware

While malware lives on your computer and interferes with processes on your specific machine, spyware is more tied to your online presence. These programs monitor your online activities, spying on every site you visit and all the information you enter. These programs can install malware on your computer without your consent or could steal your personal information.

Many of these spyware programs hide in the terms and conditions we all accept without reading what they say. They can also come from suspicious websites and clickbait schemes. If you see an online deal that seems too good to be true, chances are there’s some spyware hiding behind it.

Hackers

Spyware and malware are both types of automated programs. People write them and then set them loose, and from there, they function on their own. But sometimes, there may be a real person, not just a program, threatening your computer security.

Hackers know how to access and manipulate computer coding that allows them to gain access to your protected information. These attacks look nothing like what Hollywood has shown us. Instead, the process can be very time-consuming and often involves programs designed to guess your username and password.

Phishing Scams

Some online predators use a different form of getting your personal information known as phishing. These scams prey off of the anonymity that comes with working on the internet. They pretend to be people or organizations that you trust and then try to trick you into giving them your information.

These scams can be hard to pick up on because phishers have gotten very good at looking like the organizations they’re imitating. Strange email addresses using long strings of letters or numbers can be one tip-off that an organization isn’t legitimate. You can also keep an eye out for unusual activity from these organizations; the IRS will never call or email you to ask for money, for instance.

Formjacking

Formjacking attacks are an especially malicious threat to your computer security because they lurk on pages that have legitimate business uses. When you type your credit card information into a legitimate website to place an online order, a formjacking program skims your data. Then the hackers behind this attack can mine that data to steal your identity.

The truth of the matter is that you can never know if a website has a formjacking program running in the background. One good way to avoid these traps is to avoid putting your credit card information into a form if you can. Even if it’s a trusted website, try to pay using PayPal or similar third-party merchants who can handle your payment without exposing your information.

How to Avoid These Threats

The key to avoiding computer security threats is constant vigilance. Avoid opening emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if the address includes long strings of random letters and numbers. Never ever download any attached files unless they’re coming from a trusted source.

Watch out for phishing scams, too; anyone who is calling you to tell you your computer has viruses on it is trying to steal your money. The IRS and your local law enforcement will not use a telephone or email to let you know about outstanding money you owe or warrants for your arrest. And if someone who looks like a representative of a company you trust asks for your account number, hang up; legitimate representatives will already have that information.

Start Living Safer Today

In an age where every piece of our lives is influenced by the internet, computer security has become more important than ever. Keep a sharp eye when you’re operating online, and don’t trust someone is who they say they are. Err on the side of caution and your information will stay as secure as your locked up home.

If you’d like to further answer the question, “What is computer security?” check out the rest of our site. We can provide enterprise information technology solutions for your business. Get started today and start taking advantage of the best in current and emerging technologies.