1. Keep your operating system patched. Security is a never-ending battle. When a vulnerability is found, the vendor releases a patch. Set your computer to update automatically so each patch is applied as quickly as possible.
2. Use antivirus and keep it updated. Windows 10 and 11 include Windows Defender, which is quite good. If you want a third-party option, Bitdefender, Avast, and Avira are solid choices. These tools regularly scan for malicious content in the background.
3. Back up your data — then back it up again. Hardware fails, ransomware encrypts, and disasters happen. If you don't have an offsite backup strategy, now is the time. See our earlier post on the 3-2-1 backup method.
4. Use strong passwords. Forget complexity requirements — length is what matters. A 20-character passphrase made of unrelated words is far harder to crack than an 8-character string of random symbols. Something like "TouchdownMortiseSafetyLathe" is an excellent password. Throw an exclamation point on the end if a site demands it.
5. Control physical access. Don't let someone you don't know or don't trust use your computer. Physical security matters as much as logical security.
6. Use the internet safely. Don't visit shady sites or click suspicious links in email. Microsoft will never call you unsolicited asking to remote into your computer. Most infections come from clicking something that seemed legitimate but wasn't.
7. Stay informed. Threats evolve constantly. If you ever have a question about whether something is safe, call us — we're happy to help.