With the onset of the digital age, a lot of people have become too dependent on technology that almost everything they do now have had something to do with a computer.
From personal correspondence to sensitive financial documentation, a wide range of valuable possessions can now be found in our home computers. It is thus important that you protect them as you would protect your physical belongings.
Below are some practical techniques to help you get a lock down on your most cherished digital assets.
A comprehensive approach
Our assets reside in various places on our computers, and even on different computers, external drives, and PDAs. Keeping all assets organized, secured, backed up, and available requires a comprehensive approach. To do the job right, you need a wide range of tools and a solid set of computing practices.
Use strong passwords. Passwords are a fact of life on the Internet. So instead of lazily typing away your initials or date of birth, learn to use stronger passwords. Having a strong password is still the most common and most essential protection for your digital possessions. They protect desktops, PDAs, online accounts and most importantly, the personal folders and files in your PCs.
Lock out intruders, thieves, and troublemakers
If passwords are padlocks, then firewalls and other security software are the safes, dead bolts, window bars, and alarms of a well-protected online residence. The Internet is rife with threats that have unique ways to compromise your digital possessions.
Wireless awareness
Wireless networks at home or in public hotspots require extra precautions to protect your assets. When you’re connected, your computer is exposed to anyone who can join the network. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep intruders out.
Do not broadcast defaults. When you set up your wireless network, change your network’s name, change its default passwords, and turn off the automatic broadcast function. Broadcasting defaults is a red flag that your network is probably not well-protected.
Prevent leakage
Place your router in a central location in your home. If your device allows it, reduce wireless signal strength.
Disable file sharing in public
Turn off your wireless card when you’re not using it. Install a dependable firewall. Monitor and control wireless network traffic.
Backups are a must
Disasters happen. Whether the next disaster is an earthquake or a wayward latte, it’s vital to create a disaster recovery plan for your digital assets. Two strong backup and recovery solutions are Symantec’s Norton Ghost 12.0 and Norton Save & Restore 2.0.
Norton Ghost 12.0 protects advanced users against system crashes, system failures, user error, data corruption, and malicious code. While Symantec’s Norton Save & Restore 2.0 allows users to back up what they want—from specific files and folders to an entire hard drive, including applications, settings, and operating system—to the media they want in one easy step.
In the end, regardless of how you store files in your PC, one of the most important tips on how you can effectively safeguard your digital assets is by protecting your PC the same way you would your physical belongings.
The Internet is rife with threats that have unique ways to compromise our digital possessions. So, to protect yourself, protect your PC first. (Digital Generation)
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