How to avoid your desktop PC from being hacked

The basics

Listed below are the most common ways devices are being hacked in 2024

Be Careful when Reading Emails

Most hacks in 2024 actually start with a fake email, otherwise known as a phishing email. You might think it’s an email from your service provider, but did you check the email address it came from? The email may claim something has expired and that you need to log in, but after clicking the link and logging in, did you notice the website address was wrong? The website where you’ve just entered your login details is controlled by a hacker, who now has your credentials. read more

Always Use Strong Passwords

The internet now has more bots than users. Bots are programs that run 24/7, constantly looking for login screens and attempting to log in to any service they can find online. Most online services experience multiple hack attempts per day. Once logged in, the credentials are sent to the bot’s owner for misuse. So, avoid using a username like ‘admin,’ and choose a password that cannot ever be guessed.

Be Careful What You Download

A vast majority of ‘free’ software comes with a virus. That download you found might seem to do the job, but did you notice your computer is now acting strange? When you clicked to install, it also installed a hack inside your computer. If you don’t find and remove it soon, you will likely lose all access to your online accounts just before your PC stops working completely. Only use reputable software from reputable brands. If you’re not sure what you’ve downloaded, upload it to our free virus checker before opening the file: tools.queenslandtech.com.au/virus-check

How Good Is Your Anti-Virus Software?

The default Windows Defender is actually quite good in 2024. If you’re using this, we recommend checking that it’s configured to do its job correctly. The easiest way is to download our ‘Configure Defender’ tool from here: tools.queenslandtech.com.au/downloads

If you’re using any other anti-virus software, check if it’s effective from our list of recommended ones: www.queenslandtech.com.au/article/antivirus

We also recommend periodically scanning with Malwarebytes. This can be done without affecting your currently installed anti-virus software.

Only use up-to-date Software

Over time, exploits (methods of hacking) are discovered within various software and operating systems. When they are found, they are usually listed, tracked, and fixed. Hackers use these lists of known exploits to try to gain access to systems that have yet to be patched. The best method to defend against these types of attacks is to keep your software and system up-to-date with the latest version.

Keep Backups of Important Data

If you do any backing up at all, make sure you keep a copy of the important stuff. Zip up the folder and copy the zip file onto a different device. Never keep important data stored only in one location, as drives, USB drives, etc., fail very often.