How to Secure Your Laptop?

Ultimate Tips
October 20, 2019 No Comments
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Everything is online. You can stay at home and do almost everything online. But with these astounding
advantages, laptops can bring hell upon you. But the question is how to secure your laptop from viruses
or hackers.

Nowadays, you trust your laptop with a lot of personal information. And by any chance, if these data get
into the hands of the wrong people, then you can say bye to your peaceful days. Here’s the thing-

Table of Contents

How to Secure Your Laptop?

Hackers or viruses are responsible for most of these breaches. So, how to secure a laptop from hackers or
viruses? Well, to be honest, all you need is to keep updated. Ignorance is the number one enemy here. So,
you must look forward to anything that will make your laptop more secure.

And we are here to help exactly in that. Now, let’s stop wasting our valuable time and start with the
details-

1. Password Protection

Okay, how do you think the hackers hack laptops most of the time? Well, the thing is, most of the time,
the hackers don’t need to do all that pentagon level code-cracking to hack your laptop. They can simply
type in your password and get into your laptop.

So, the first step is to make your password super secure. No, we won’t tell things about creating strong
passwords here. Instead, we will focus more on laptop technical issues. So, let’s look at the details-

a. Enable two-step verification

Here, the technique is to bind your pc and other accounts with your phone number. IOS and Microsoft
have different ways to do that. But here we will write about Microsoft only.

To enable this feature, log in to your Microsoft account from any browser. Access the security options
menu. Click the button named ‘two-step verification’. Add your email or phone number to receive codes.

Once everything is set, you’ll get to know if anyone is trying to access your laptop or personal
information.

b. Use an Authentication App

We know that it is always annoying it is to receive codes every time while logging in. To solve this
problem without compromising the security, you can use an authentication app.

Once you bind this app with your pc, you won’t have to worry about text messages or emails. At first,
download an authentication app on your smartphone or tablet. Next, bind it with your pc. You will get a
notification in the app. Once you verify from the app, you can access your pc.

However, if your smartphone is easily accessible or if the hacker has access to your smartphone, then this
won’t be of any use.

2. Encrypt your Data

After you enable two-step verification, we hope that your laptop won’t get hacked in any dumb way.
Now, it’s time to focus on the real stuff.

Computers can get hacked even when they are running. So, you must secure the information inside in
another way. Just by going through a few easy steps, you can easily take your laptop security to another
level. So, let’s look at the steps-

a. Install an HTTPS Everywhere extension in your Browser

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure or HTTPS is basically an encrypted connection. Your browser uses
this while you’re accessing web pages. In short, HTTPS in the web address means it’s safe.
So, it’s better if you use something that will block you from entering non-HTTPS websites. And that
something is an extension. No matter what browser you use, there should be a system to install
extensions.

After installing this extension, it’ll request an encrypted connection whenever you visit a site. If the web
page doesn’t have an encrypted connection, then you won’t be able to access it.

b. Enable ‘Always use HTTPS’ in Gmail and Facebook

Even after installing the extension from the previous step, your mail might be at risk. So, it’s better that
you double layer this security in most private places. So, now you have to make sure that your mail and
social media use an HTTPS connection.

At first, let’s secure your Gmail. After all, this binds all your online activities. To secure it, find the gear
icon on the top right corner and click it. Access the general menu. Click on the ‘Always use the HTTPS’
option.

We won’t be able to go through the enabling method for all the social media out there. Here we’ll focus
on Facebook only.

To secure your Facebook from risky connections at first, go to account settings. After opening up the
account settings menu, click on the ‘Security’ option. Next, go to the ‘Secure Browsing’ section. You’ll
find a checkbox saying, “Browse Facebook on a secure connection”. Click on that and save the changes.

Now your most private online activities will use secure connections.

3. Be Updated

Do you know what provides the best antivirus service nowadays? It’s the latest version of Windows 10.
More like every operating system nowadays has top-notch protection capabilities. Maybe you know that
the laptop with a Linux system is the best system for security.

The operating system updates contain security fixes. These fixes will prevent hackers from using new
ways to invade your laptop. On the other hand, the latest updates can scan your computer for malware
with more efficiency and effectiveness. So, update your Operating system whenever you can.

But remember updating OS won’t do you any good if you turn off your firewall. It is the most important
thing that will protect your laptop while browsing through the internet.

Along with the operating system, update your apps too. Especially browsers. That’s because browsers are
your point of internet interaction.

Bottom Line

These are the holy trinity of virus and hacker protection. There are other methods too. You can add
security layers by installing anti-spyware packages, anti-malware packages. On the other hand, you can
make your connection even more secure by using a VPN. Just look for new ways to secure your precious
laptop.

Now that you know about how to secure your laptop or PC. So, check your laptop and do what’s
necessary. Good Luck.