Personal Computer Best Practices
This guide provides basic instructions to help improve the security and privacy settings on for personal computers. While this guide aims to cover best practices, it serves only as a general reference since computer settings vary depending on the manufacturer and operating system.
10 important settings that will significantly improve the security of your personal computer:
1. Keep Operating System and software updated -
Enable automatic updates to ensure your system has the latest security patches and features. Regularly update all applications to patch vulnerabilities.
2. Use a Strong Password -
Set a strong, unique password for your user account to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Enable Firewall -
Ensure the built-in Windows or Mac Firewall is active to block unwanted network traffic.
4. Install and Update Antivirus Software -
Use Windows Defender and reliable antivirus software to detect and prevent malware threats.
5. Remove Unnecessary Programs -
Uninstall software you no longer use to reduce the attack surface.
6. Disable Unnecessary Services -
Turn off unused services or features like Remote Desktop, unless needed.
7. Enable Full Disk Encryption -
Use BitLocker for windows or enable encryption in Mac to encrypt your drives and protect sensitive data in case of theft.
8. Regularly Back Up Data -
Create secure backups of your data using Windows Backup or Apple Time Machine or a trusted third-party tool.
9. Secure Browser Settings -
Enable security features in your web browser, like pop-up blockers and safe browsing options.
10. Disable Auto-Run Features -
Turn off auto-run for external devices to prevent malicious software from running automatically.