Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
EL PASO, TX—FBI El Paso wants you to take advantage of online shopping season to do some deep cleaning of your digital devices. By keeping up with your “cyber hygiene,” it could help protect you from bad actors, and may help your device run more efficiently.
Taking the right security measures and being alert when connected are key ways to prevent cyber intrusions and online crimes. Here are tips on how to protect your computer:
Keep your Firewall Turned On – A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.
Install or Update your Antivirus Software – Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users’ knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.
Install or Update your Antispyware Technology – Spyware is software that is secretly installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may contain spyware or other malicious code. Shop where you trust.