Manage Privacy and Prevent Cybercrime

Manage Privacy and Prevent Cybercrime.

Cybercrime is tremendously destructive and pretty scary to think about. Ransomware, a form of cybercrime, is probably one of the scarier malware that encrypts victims’ files or otherwise makes them completely inaccessible until the victim pays the perpetrator.

In a way it invokes the idea of a violent kidnapping accompanied by a cut-and-pasted letter demanding money.

While it is not as disruptive or terrifying as a real-life kidnapping of somebody you love, it is malware that can threaten your electronic equipment and personal information forever.

With more than 50% of U.S. desktop computers over four years old, and roughly 13.1 million Americans who fell victim to identity theft in 2015, as reported by Javelin Strategy & Research, it is more important than ever to make sure you are taking the appropriate steps to manage your privacy and prevent cybercrime for a safer, healthier, and longer living computer.

Follow these simple tips to manage privacy and prevent cybercrime.

Back up files regularly and keep recent backups off-site.

Lock your screen or device when you aren’t using it.

Consider installing Microsoft Office Viewers.

Regularly update the operating system and patch, patch, patch other software, anti-virus and anti-malware and applications.

Allow the administrator account to be a secondary source for checking emails, browsing the email and so forth.

Beware of using unfamiliar Wi-Fi.

Don’t click. If you receive an alert or warning pop-up from “Microsoft” or “Google” think before you click to be on the safe side. Analyze website addresses and avoid sketchy websites. Avoid opening suspicious emails and interacting with the receiver via email if you are weary.

By following these tips you can begin to protect yourself against general cybercrime, and specifically ransomware. If you have additional questions or concerns, want to protect yourself a bit more thoroughly or you don’t have enough time to manage such tasks, ask an expert for help.