Whether you stream movies or send work emails, computers are a modern necessity, and you rely on them at work and home. However, for all their benefits, there are some dangers as well; hackers can steal personal information or damage your hardware. Fortunately, you can stay safe online and avoid unnecessary computer repairs by following a few do’s and don’ts.

Do:

Use secure passwords.

If someone steals or guesses your password, your personal or professional information will be compromised. Select passwords that are difficult to guess, using a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and keep them in a safe place. Don’t use the same password for all of your accounts, and replace them every three or four months to prevent hackers from guessing them.

Run antivirus programs regularly.

There are plenty of antivirus programs that are designed to detect damaging malware by scanning downloaded files and looking for viruses. Running scans regularly ensures your computer hasn’t become infected. While there are many antivirus programs on the market, a computer repair professional can help you find the right one for your system.

Don’t:

Click random links or open unknown attachments.

Malicious software can be transferred through links and downloads. They’re often masked as a normal or important email. If you receive an unknown attachment or aren’t familiar with an internet address or sender, it’s best not to proceed to avoid downloading a virus or giving a hacker access to your data. 

Fill your hard drive to capacity.

If there isn’t enough room on your hard drive for critical updates and other security software, a harmful virus could get through. While you want to continue keeping family images or work documents secure, consider using the iCloud^® or Time Machine^® with an external hard drive to avoid potential computer repairs.

By practicing the proper safety steps, you’ll avoid computer repairs and get the most out of your device. Experimax Aurora, serving Denver County, CO, offers high-quality computer repair services. Whether you’ve encountered malicious malware or aren’t sure what’s wrong with your Apple^® device, this skilled team can help. They also buy and sell Apple products, including MacBook^® laptops, iPhone^® devices, and iPad^® tablets. Call (720) 870-6956 today to schedule computer repairs, or visit them online to see a list of their products.