ELECTRONICS
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How to protect yourself against hackers? Hackers are criminals who illegally obtain usernames/passwords from computers and websites. Many people bank, shop, and pay bills online, allowing hackers with opportunities to access their information. Some hackers steal personal information, while others show an interest in financial data.

Research shows that hacking will cost individuals and businesses over $6 trillion by 2021. A company will fall victim to hackers every eleven seconds in 2021. Besides, the cost of hacking and data-stealing reached over $150 million last year. Experts say that hackers and cybercriminals will steal a substantial amount of data in the coming years.

For instance, experts argue that hackers will steal over 33 billion records in 2023. People in the U.S lose $15 billion every year due to personal and financial information loss. So, identity theft has become one of the biggest threats in the U.S. It takes around seven months to identify a breach. So, how to protect yourself against hackers? Read on!

Types of Hackers

A hacker is a person with a tremendous interest in computer systems. Cybercriminals and hackers learn about computers and technology. So, they make efforts to experiment with computers and try to misuse their abilities. As a result, a hacker has unauthorized access to a computer or website to steal sensitive data and information.

Hackers deface websites and steal personal and financial information from systems. Besides, they take corporate websites out of commission, leading to a loss of revenue, especially for an eCommerce or financial institution site.

In addition, loss of sensitive data in the case of government or corporate systems means the launch of data espionage warfare on their websites. When a hacker or group of hackers access sensitive corporate data, they can misuse the information and risk a country’s security. Here are the types of hackers.

Script kiddies

Advanced hackers write and develop scanning tools that look for vulnerabilities in computer systems and websites. Script kiddies are less experienced hackers who run the scanning tools available online to scan a large number of computer and networking systems to find vulnerabilities.

Script kiddies run these apps or tools against namespaces associated with businesses. The purpose is to breach the system and steal sensitive data. Besides, script kiddies also use a list of IP addresses to launch cyberattacks and gain access to systems.

White Hats

White hats are security experts in computer systems. These people specialize in testing and use various methods to ensure computers systems remain secure from hackers. So, these are IT security experts that rely on a plethora of customized tools to counteract cybercriminals.

Black Hats

Black hats are the most advanced hackers with expertise in penetrating secured systems and websites. According to KVS Computers, black hats are the bad guys who break into computers and networks or create viruses and malware.

In addition, black hat hackers usually outpace white hat security experts in technology. Not only do black hat hackers find the least resistant path, but they also use advanced scripts and coding skills to penetrate highly secured systems and networks. That way, they steal a large amount of data, including financial information.

The Problem of Hacking

How to protect yourself against hackers? It is crucial to understand how hacking occurs before you implement ways to mitigate the attacks. There are two primary ways hackers get your personal information.

First, a cybercriminal accesses data directly from your PC or laptop by installing spyware. According to KVS Computers, spyware is a software or application that installs itself. It sends information from your PC to the hacker without your knowledge.

A hacker installs spyware by tricking people into opening spam emails. Likewise, cybercriminals also trick you into clicking on images, attachments, and links in email messages. Cybercriminals also use spyware to track keystrokes.

Besides, they also acquire photos of your computer’s monitor or laptop screen. That way, they snag your account numbers, usernames, passwords, and even credit card information.

On the other hand, hackers access personal and financial information directly from websites. Hackers use malware or malicious software to target websites. That way, they gather a massive amount of data.

Malware is a program used to infiltrate a computer system to steal private data. Hackers also use malware to harm computer systems’ operations and securities. Malware enables criminals to test a website’s vulnerability and reproduce the content of the site’s database.

Some people and businesses are unaware that cybercriminals have hacked their accounts. For instance, if a family member or friend contacts you about emails that seem like they are from you but which you didn’t send, it is due to a hacked account.

Besides, a hacker may also change your password and deny you access to your account. If you think a hacker has hacked one of your accounts, make sure you change the passwords of other accounts immediately.

Protect Yourself against Hackers  

Your computer, phone, tablet, credit cards, etc., are an integral part of your daily life in the fast-paced technology world. Hackers have become more intelligent in stealing people’s personal and financial information.

Therefore, it is crucial to protect yourself against hackers. Here are a few ways to improve your security and prevent hacking of your computer and online accounts. Continue reading!  

Contact Your Friends and Family

KVS Computers recommend contacting your family and friends and make them aware of your hacked account. Cybercriminals try to gain access to your email contact list. So, they send emails from your account to your friends and family members, asking them to send personal information. Therefore, we recommend notifying your loved ones about your hacked account to protect them from hackers.

Contact Your Bank

If your hacked account contains financial information, contact the bank or Credit Card Company as soon as possible. Let the company know that a hacker has compromised your account. Your bank or Credit Card Company will issue you a new account number or card.

Make sure you monitor your accounts’ activity for any fraudulent transactions. In some cases, cybercriminals steal your financial data without your knowledge or consent and misuse it.

KVS Computers have professionals with many years of experience in counteracting cybercriminals and hackers. Our experts say that you have to monitor your account for an extended period if the bank has not issued you a new account number or card.

Update Your Computer Security

Ensure your computer security software is up to date. Update your operating system and internet-connected software regularly. These may include web browsers, emails programs, music players, and other applications.

If you don’t have security software, install antivirus software and a firewall. Make sure you keep them up to date. KVS Computers recommend installing Malwarebytes because it comes with a wide range of advanced security features.

Using Malwarebytes can help you mitigate vulnerabilities and cyber threats. We recommend installing the premium version of the antivirus program for advanced protection.

Your operating system will alert you when an update of the antivirus program is available. Some computer users install separate software for viruses and malware. We think this is a mistake because some programs are incompatible with each other.

It means the programs will consume extra CPU and memory resources. Thus, they will make your computer run slow. At the same time, compatibility issues can further make your computer system more vulnerable to hackers.

There are various reputable products available for free. However, a free antivirus program does not offer complete protection. That’s why KVS Computers recommend every computer user install Malwarebytes for additional security. Some of the key features of Malwarebytes are:

• Quick and advanced scanning of infected devices
• Advanced protection against viruses and malware
• Shields vulnerable computer systems
• Background checks to prevent threats proactively
• Stops adware and ransomware attacks
• Offers centralized management to perform customized scans
• Generates threat reports and acts immediately to eliminate viruses

Monitor Your Activity

How to protect yourself against hackers? According to KVS Computers, it is wise to delete dubious-looking or spam emails without opening them. For example, you may receive a questionable email from a family member or friend.

In that case, contact them and verify before opening the email. You must not click on any attachment or link without verification. Access online accounts from your PC while using a secured connection.

Limit accessing personal accounts from public computer systems. It is because public computer systems are more vulnerable to malware and spyware. Likewise, they have an unsecured internet connection.

Use Strong Passwords

Use strong passwords to protect yourself against hackers. Many people use simple passwords, such as their name or “12345678.” These are lousy password choices, allowing hackers to access your computer, smartphones, or online accounts.

KVS Computers always encourage their clients to use complex passwords that contain at least eight characters. Use a combination of upper and lower case, numbers, and special characters. That way, you will have a strong password.

Besides, you can use a specific sentence or phrase a password. If you have multiple passwords, write them down on a piece of paper. Make sure you keep the paper in a safe place. Avoid saving your passwords on your computer or smartphone.

If you want to decrease the likelihood of someone hacking your online accounts, change your password every week. Strong passwords are at least eight or twelve characters long. These include letters, numbers, and special characters, such as “^!$#@, etc. “

Avoid using your name, date of birth, and other common words. Always set a different password for a specific account if you have multiple profiles or emails. When you have a different password and criminal hacks one of your accounts, you can use the others.

Evaluate Your Network Security

Evaluating your network security is an excellent way to protect yourself against hackers. Port scan your network from outside to determine the exposed services, such as TCP/IP and FTP. Besides, run a vulnerability scanner against your servers to monitor your network traffic. Remember, this method is particularly beneficial for businesses.

Moreover, refer to your system log to figure out unauthorized services running on your network or systems. Check your firewall logs to determine dropped and rejected packets. Reviewing firewall logs also enable you to mitigate persistent hacking attempts.

Cybercriminals can gain root access through your programs’ vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is crucial to keep track of patches and new versions of software and applications. Avoid using third-party patches and cracks for your programs other than the ones provided by the company.

Use Data Encryption Methods

Encryption is a valuable method of scrambling information, so only you can access data and use it. It allows you to use specific patterns to unscramble data and make it accessible or readable.

Remember, encryption technology is an excellent way to reduce the risk of data theft. For example, if someone steals your PC or laptop, they won’t access your data thanks to encryption.

However, it is crucial to keep your encryption patterns or keys safe. If you forget or lose the keys, you won’t be able to unscramble the information and view it in a readable form.

Install Email Security

According to KVS Computers, emails are not a secure transport channel unless you install security protocols. For example, it is crucial to encrypt your message before sending it. Keep in mind that all emails, especially those that travel outside of your website or domain, have poor encryption by default.

That’s why such emails are prone to eavesdropping and theft. KVS Computers recommend configuring your email transfer to make it secure. However, this is not an easy task and requires a significant setup. You can use third-party encryption software to secure your emails. Make sure you purchase premium software for advanced protection/encryption.

Protect Yourself against Hackers – Final Words

Implementing anti-hacking methods can protect your computer system from cyberattacks. KVS Computers can install and configure the best antivirus program on your computer to prevent malware and spyware attacks. Follow the guidelines given above to protect yourself against hackers. Contact KVS Computers for more information.

How to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance? When you have a hardware issue that causes your PC to misbehave, you may want to search and find an updated driver. It might resolve the problems and stabilize your machine. However, before you do that, it is wise to use built-in troubleshooting tools in Windows 10. In today’s article, we will discuss some common issues and solutions. The purpose is to help you troubleshoot PC hardware and performance.

Troubleshoot PC Hardware and Performance

Open the troubleshooting applet from Windows’ control panel. That way, you can get help on hardware, programs, and drivers. Each of the items in the control panel provides a troubleshooting wizard. It automatically searches for, detects, and fixes issues. The Control Panel applet in Windows 10 offers the following categories or groups:

Programs

According to KVS Computers, if you want to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance, start with programs. Launch the program compatibility wizards. It allows you to apply settings to programs. For instance, it is as though these programs were running in earlier Windows versions.

For example, you can run a Windows 7 program under Windows 10 by configuring its compatibility and settings for Windows 7. The group also includes applications or items for troubleshooting internet explorer, media play, and printers.

Hardware and Sound

Use the hardware and sound to scan for changes in hardware. You can also troubleshoot problems with general devices. These include network adapters, audio devices, printers, etc. Remember, using the hardware and sound item is an excellent way to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance.

Network and Internet

Troubleshoot issues connecting to the internet. You can also assess shared files and folders on the local area network. Besides, this group allows you to troubleshoot Home Group, incoming network connections, and Direct Access.

Appearance and Personalization

According to KVS Computers’ experts, problems with appearance are often due to hardware problems, such as graphics card errors or improper settings. The appearance and personalization section enables you to troubleshoot errors with Windows desktop visual effects and other relevant issues.

System and Security

How to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance? The system and security section allows you to troubleshoot issues with different components. These include Windows updates, modify power settings, and check for computer performance problems.

In addition, you can run maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up unused files. Besides, you can check search and indexing issues. At the same time, you can adjust performance settings.

Use the Device Manager

Using the device manager is an effective way to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance. Click the Device Manager to open the window. You can also click the Start button and then right-click Computer. Next, choose properties and then click the Device Manager on the left side of the screen.

When you open the Device Manager Window, right-click the device name that causes problems. Next, choose properties. If the device shows an error, use that information to start troubleshooting. For instance, if Device Manager indicates no driver “installed,” try to install or reinstall the device’s driver.

Use the Driver tab’s options if needed. That way, you can reinstall the drivers for the hardware device. Moreover, you can also disable the device and mitigate potential conflicts with other hardware components.

Use the resources tab to check for a “conflict message.” You can use the Conflicting Device List to resolve problems. Make sure you reassign resources to the conflicting devices. On the other hand, you can disable one of the devices to resolve the issue. Remember, not all hardware components have a resource tab.

Sometimes, you make hardware changes, but Windows does not notice the change. In that case, open Device Manager and choose “Scan for Hardware Changes.” The purpose is to ensure Windows rescan the entire system. For instance, if you have an external modem turned off when you turn on the PC, rescanning may cause Windows to redetect the modem.

Dealing with Error Messages

How to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance, especially “error messages?” Error messages come in different forms. For example, these come in simple warnings like “the blue screen of death”. It causes your PC to stop dead in its tracks.

On the other hand, a more serious error comes in forms like an error number: it is often a hexadecimal number with a format “0x00000xxx.” Likewise, another form in which the error comes is the symbolic error name.

These show in uppercase with underlines between words. For example, “PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.” Moreover, if a device driver has caused the issue, you will see a filename with a “.sys” extension.

Some errors have their built-in troubleshooting advice, while others have a “Help” button. Use the information to learn about the cause of the problem. If you fail to manage or resolve the error, you can bring your PC to KVS Computers.

Our qualified, experienced, and skilled experts will troubleshoot PC hardware and performance and evaluate error messages to resolve them. That way, you can run your PC efficiently and reliably.

Performing a Clean Boot

Even a tiny hardware error can lead to harsh consequences. For example, it can suddenly shut down your PC and make it challenging to start the system. Clean booting helps with software issues that prevent PC from starting normally or cause frequent errors.

Remember, if you don’t have enough knowledge of the “boot” system, it is wise to bring your PC to KVS Computers. We can troubleshoot PC hardware and performance and optimize the booting process. Anyway, follow the steps given below to perform a clean boot.

• Close all open programs
• Save work in progress
• Enter MSConfig to open system configuration
• Choose selective startup on the “General” tab
• Clear the “Load Startup” checkbox
• Click the service tab
• Choose “Hide All Microsoft Services”
• Now, Click the “Disable All” button
• Click “OK” and restart to reboot your PC

Remember, a clean boot is different from a clean installation. During a clean boot, you will temporarily lose some functionality. However, once you perform a normal startup, you will regain access to all programs, apps, documents, and full functionality.

Use the System Recovery Options

The System Recovery Options is an excellent way to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance. Keep in mind that this option is reliable for resolving advanced issues. These include:

• Repairing an existing Windows 10 installation
• Troubleshooting startup issues
• Restoring your PC
• Using Memory Diagnostic Tool
• Getting to a Command Prompt

According to KVS Computers, only experienced PC users should use this method. If you don’t know how to use a command prompt, avoid performing any tasks. In that case, it is better to contact KVS Computers and discuss the issue.

Anyway, enable the driver as a boot device in the BIOS. The purpose is to boot from a Windows disc. Make sure the boot device in the BIOS has a higher priority than other devices. Insert the Windows 10 disc into the drive. Restart your PC and follow the steps given below!

• Watch for the “Press Any Key” to boot from the DVD or CD prompt
• Tap the key to load all files from the disc
• Click the “Next” button to choose the language, currency, and keyboard type.
• Click the “Repair Your PC or Computer” link on the next page
• Windows 10 will show you the “System Recovery Options” dialog box

Moreover, if your PC requires special hard drive drivers, click the “Load Drivers” button to locate the installation of Windows 10. If you see your Windows 10 version in the list box, choose it and click the “Next” button. That way, you will see all of the recovery options. Furthermore, the “System Recovery Options” provides numerous troubleshooting tools, including:  

Startup Repair

How to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance? Use the startup repair option if your PC does not startup. The problem is due to various reasons, including a misconfigured driver or an application that hangs the system. It is also due to a faulty piece of hardware.

System Restore

It is another integral component of the “Recovery Options,” allowing you to go back to a restore point. Windows make “restore points” of your PC. The purpose is to store the state of your PC. You can choose a restore point for your PC from a previous day when your system performed correctly. Remember, the system restore option does not change or modify any of your personal data.

System Image Recovery

According to KVS Computers’ experts, the system image recovery feature works if you have created a backup in the past. Windows 10 will search hard drives, memory cards, or DVDs for valid backups. However, if you haven’t created a backup previously, you can’t use this feature. In that case, you will need KVS Computers’ services for advanced system image recovery.

Memory Diagnostic

Some errors you experience are due to memory issues. Windows 10 Memory Diagnostic Tool performs tests against your PC’s RAM to see if there are any issues. Run the tool to troubleshoot PC hardware and performance problems caused by memory. The tool will prompt you to restart your PC and check for issues.

Command Prompt

Before you use the command prompt option, make sure you have extensive knowledge of it. Otherwise, you will make your PC experience further problems. KVS Computers experts say that the command prompt is for experienced computer users.

It allows you to access the file system and run specific commands for Windows 10. So, choose this option if you are sure about it. Act carefully when using the Windows 10 command prompt to ensure everything goes smoothly.

When you finish using the system recovery options, you can click restart or shut down to exist. Contact KVS Computers for additional information or bring your PC to our shop. Our experienced technicians will troubleshoot PC hardware and performance using the advanced system recovery options.

Troubleshoot Performance Problems

According to KVS Computers, software and hardware go hand in hand. Therefore, software or hardware can cause performance issues. For instance, if a devices malfunctions or has an improper configuration, it can cause performance problems.

Similarly, running too many programs or apps simultaneously will consume more processor time and valuable memory, leading to foiling performance. Therefore, avoid assuming that performance issues are always due to hardware.

The problems are also due to software or both. For example, if your PC usage chart runs consistently at a higher percentage, it means you run two or more firewalls. You can check the percentage in the Task Manager.

In that case, you have to disable or remove third-party firewalls. On the other hand, if you want to keep the third-party firewall, you have to disable Windows 10 firewall. Moreover, scan your PC for viruses, malware, adware, and other threats.

KVS Computers recommend installing a premium antivirus program, such as Malwarebytes, to remove viruses and malware. That way, you can reduce resource consumption.

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to start Task Manager with Windows running. You can also click start and type “taskmgr” to locate and run Task Manager. Once you have opened the Task Manager, click the processes tab. Next, click “Show Processes” from all users to see the list of all the processes running on your PC. Sort the information in the grid based on your CPU.

Troubleshoot PC Hardware and Performance – Final Words

PCs crash due to problems in hardware or errors in system/application software. Bear in mind that software issues are more common than hardware problems. However, hardware issues are more devastating and hard to diagnose.

Troubleshoot PC hardware and performance to prevent errors in the future. The purpose is to ensure your computer runs smoothly without any problems. Hardware troubleshooting allows you to review, diagnose, and identify technical issues within the equipment or components.

You can use the process to resolve physical and logical issues within hardware components. Follow the tips and tricks given above to troubleshoot your PC, identify problems, and fix them immediately.

KVS Computers is a reputable company with many years of experience diagnosing, identifying, and fixing PC hardware issues. We have experienced professionals who use the right tools to ensure your computer runs optimally. Contact us today!