Due to increasing demand for remote work, and flexibility with modern technology, massive numbers of people rely on laptops for personal and professional work to simplify daily tasks. For instance, working from the home environment, or consumers utilizing laptops for online shopping, paying bills online, and even considering trading. Since laptops include sensitive data and records it is important to protect your laptops with effective measures at the right time.
However, hacking threats are getting more complex with the increasing technological advancements. Hackers often infiltrate your laptops or computers to access organizations or your data or trick people into revealing their sensitive records through phishing and similar activities.
This is the reason why every individual must be aware of a few mandatory measures and methods to protect sensitive information while safeguarding your system through essential software, and encryption,
Sounds confusing? Don’t worry, this article is dedicated to navigating you with effective measures to give you answers to how to protect your laptop from cyber attacks? What are the ideal security steps to secure my laptop? and similar concerns.
What do you mean by computer hackers?
Often computer hackers break into your devices connected through the internet; it can be computers, laptops, or even tablets, and their motive is to steal data or change vital information.
In addition, these hackers install malware to gain access to steal, delete, or change information on your device. And you may not have the slightest idea when these activities occur. They are more likely to steal the most sensitive data from your device before you realize a sudden break-in.
That's why most cyber security professionals suggest implementing anti-virus scans, encrypted certificates and similar measures to keep your data secured and make your efforts count.
How to protect your laptop from cyber attacks?
Every individual uses a laptop for several personal and professional activities like tracking finances, shopping, overseeing inventory, conducting marketing campaigns, performing other business operations, and more. If you fail to protect your laptop with impactful security measures, chances are that the sensitive data stored in your device may get stolen within a fraction of the time.
To avoid such circumstances, it is recommended to take precautionary security measures beforehand. An impactful method is implementing SSL certificates. It ensures secure communication between your laptop and the online services you use.
To help you gain awareness of how to protect your laptop from cyber attacks, we have listed a few robust laptop security measures below. Keep reading!
1. Create complex passwords on different platforms
Sounds quite obvious but setting a strong password can be a good start to securing your laptop. Remember to create long and bit complex login passwords to prevent chances of accessibility to other people of your files and other important data. If you use your laptop regularly in public places, including co-working places, consider creating a password-secured screen to avoid unwanted thefts.
Your passwords should be a combination of numbers, and symbols and must be of at least 8 characters as it gets difficult for hackers to crack a password above 8 characters at once. If you are someone who finds it nerve-wracking to remember different passwords, don't worry you are not the only one. You can implement a single sign-in solution, which helps to access different applications with the setup of one login credential that will be linked to your laptop.
Dos:
- Create a hard-to-guess robust password
- Optimize laptop with password screensaver when you take breaks
- Utilize authentication methods to manage passwords
Don’ts:
- Reuse the same passwords throughout different platforms
- Use auto-remember features or password managers in browsers or websites that are suspected of data breaches.
2. Optimize authentication for the security of your laptop
Confidential data of your professional and financial accounts are more likely to get manipulated from your laptop, hence it is extremely essential to adhere to online security measures to ensure your laptop is safe from potential cyber threats. Multi-factor authentication will keep hackers away from accessing your important data even if they crack your passwords.
Hard tokens often provide an extra layer of security to your laptop. By plugging in this security measure, you can authenticate web logins along with passwords or substitute login credentials that require you to put passwords. Attackers cannot replace these hard tokens, but as a user, you need to keep them in your possession.
Dos:
- Utilize verification apps and hard tokens to securely complete sign in process
- In a few cases, implement biometric authentication for extra security.
Don’ts:
- Rely on messages or codes to secure your accounts online
3. Keep your laptop in private mode while using it in public
The regulations for online privacy data keep evolving worldwide, by implementing impactful measures you can boost the privacy of your laptop seamlessly.
Privacy screens that restrict viewing angles must be your priority when you work in public places. As weird or unlikely as it may seem, shoulder attacks can ruin your privacy and put you at risk of theft of vital information that you might be currently working on.
In addition, if you have a laptop with a webcam, focus on getting physical cover to hide. Hackers can use your webcam as a weapon to spy on you remotely and access all the activities you perform daily.
While the LED light beside the camera stays on when you switch on your camera, attackers can manage to switch off the LED light on Windows or MacOS. If you are wondering if my laptop protection software can save me from such thefts, then you are mistaken. Only a physical cover can help you boost the protection for a webcam.
Lastly, a VPN adds an extra layer of internet protection for your laptop. VPNs encrypt the traffic between you and the server which means people cannot identify you as a user and your activity.
Dos:
- Invest in laptop equipment to boost privacy, like physical covers for the webcam
- VPN to secure your identity from public networks
Don’ts:
- Select VPN with a no logs policy
- Leave your laptop with an uncovered webcam
4. Encrypt hard drive and back up vital data
Among all laptop security measures, encryption should be your top priority. While robust passwords can help maintain security, it does not guarantee complete protection, as attackers can remove the hard drive of your laptop and read all kinds of files directly. Yes, you heard it right. And a few hackers can get through the operating system’s login screen.
So, the ideal solution is encryption as it converts files and data into code which makes it difficult for attackers to steal the information. By encrypting a hard drive, hackers won't be able to access the files stored in the hard drive without entering the encrypted key. However, do not forget to store the encryption key to another device like a USB drive for a safer side.
Despite all the security measures, no one fixed formula can save you from jeopardizing your important files. Hence, backing up data should come in handy for your regular task. Cloud services like Google Drive and operating systems like Windows help you automate backup procedures. To add an extra layer to your backup files, you can opt for external hard drives or USBs.
Your goal should be backing up the data that you cannot afford to lose at a regular interval. Along with encrypted hard drives, backing up data would count toward boosting protection for data stored in your laptop.
Dos:
- Store encryption keys in other trustworthy devices
- Encrypt your hard drive for better security
- Backup data regularly, don't forget to encrypt it
Don’ts:
- Keep backups to pause due to extra workload.
- Keep your backup data and hard drives unencrypted.
Keep your devices protected with the right measures
In such circumstances, having concerns like how to protect laptops from cyber attacks is common. While the measures discussed in this article can help you plan your laptop security strategy, remember you must keep yourself updated with new security solutions to avoid the chances of unwanted cyber attacks.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).