The online world isn’t as beautiful as the vacation pictures we often see on Instagram. Among the stunning digital works, there are threats that might ruin your day, or even worse than a laptop stained by a spilled glass of coffee. One of them is ransomware, which is becoming increasingly common on personal computers.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s computer and then demands a ransom payment to decrypt those files. Imagine losing access to all your documents, photos, and other important files—that’s what it feels like to lose your wallet in a foreign city. Not good, right? But don’t worry, there are actually some smart actions you can take to keep your personal computer safe from this dangerous threat.
Backup is your best friend. Back up your files regularly. It’s as if you have life insurance for your data; you might never expect to need it, but you’ll be very grateful to have one when disaster strikes.
Number two, don’t click on anything. Ransomware usually comes in the form of harmful links or email attachments. So, if you receive an email from a Nigerian prince offering millions of dollars, think twice before you click on the link in it. Remember, caution is the first key.
Software development companies are constantly releasing security updates to protect users from the latest threats. It’s not a good idea to let your computer get too outdated, even if it means you can’t use some of the latest emojis.
Fourth, switch to a trusted security solution. Spending most of your money on anti-ransomware and antivirus is more like buying a very important key than spending money in many ways.
Finally, but not least, use your common sense. If the offer is too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful with offers suddenly given by someone you don’t know or unreasonable access requests. The internet has so many good offers, but don’t be so surprised that you’re not vigilant.
So, be vigilant and protect your privacy!
