There are several measures one can take to ensure the safety of their computer. One of the most important ways to ensure the safety of your computer is by installing antivirus software. Antivirus software is designed to protect your computer against things like malware and other viruses that threaten the safety of your computer. Just as important as having antivirus software installed, it is equally as important to regularly update the software so that it is equipped to detect and prevent the latest threats.
Computers that are safe also feature firewalls. Firewalls act as barriers, separating your computer from the internet, like a wall. A good firewall can block unauthorized access attempts, including attempts from malware and hackers.
Another way to ensure your computer’s safety is by regularly updating the operating system on your computer (windows, macOS, etc). When you update your operating system, many issues and security vulnerabilities can be fixed, which makes it harder for things like viruses and malware, or hackers, to access and exploit your computer
Using strong passwords is another characteristic of a safe computer. Avoid using the same, basic password for everything that you use. Rather, create unique, complex passwords that are different for everything that you use. If you want to be extra safe, you could even change the passwords regularly.
In addition to complex passwords, two-factor authentication is another way to better secure your computer. Two factor authentication requires two different methods of identifying a user. You can use many different authentication methods, like a password or a biometric scan. Using two factor authentication makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your computer.
Many of the characteristics listed above are all things that the computer does for you to ensure its own safety, but sometimes the user is the one who has to ensure its safety. For example, you should always be careful about opening email attachments and downloading files from the internet. Some attachments and files can be malicious and infect your computer, so it is important that if you are going to download files or open email attachments, avoid downloading things from trusted websites, and avoid clicking on suspicious links.