How easy is it for some random person to break into your computer?

[Mai72]

Security is a tricky thing these days. If you want to get serious about it, there are some paid (and free) solutions that do a tremendous job:

1. Get a paid annual Malwarebytes license. It handles anti-virus now, in addition to anti-malware. Plus, it has an active cryptolocker monitoring system (Ransomware Protection). It's extremely good.

2. Get a paid Macrium Reflect license (SuperDuper & Time Machine if on a Mac). It can do scheduled image backups (including incremental) to a USB hard drive or NAS, and also has an active cryptolocker blocking system (Image Guardian) for safe-guarding the backup files themselves from cryptolocking.

3. Get a paid Backblaze account. Very cheap. Unlimited encrypted cloud backup.

4. Setup every account you have with 2FA. Use Authy (for reasons), not SMS. SIM hijacking is pretty commonplace.

5.Use Google Chrome with some good plugins, like uBlock Origin, HTTPS Everywhere, and Privacy Badger.

6. Use a password manager like Roboform. Use the built-in random password generator. Generate new unique passwords for all apps & sites on a monthly basis. Sign up for email notifications on haveibeenpwned.com. For security questions, generate random passwords as well. Remember Sarah Palin.

7. Use a VPN like NordVPN or TunnelBear, especially in public.

8. Always use a router at home to access the Internet. Never connect your computer directly to your modem. The Netgear Orbi is my current recommendation.

9. Cover your webcam when not in use. Look up "webcam cover" on Amazon for cheap packs. For people who think it doesn't happen, it does.

10. Use a better firewall with network monitoring. I like Glasswire on PC & Little Snitch on Mac.

11. Setup a Pi-hole on your network. A Docker version is available. You can goof with Docker Desktop for Windows if you want to try it out first.

Sounds like a lot, but it's not: install a few programs. Change all of your passwords once in awhile, and make sure they're unique to the website. Use app-based 2FA. It takes a few hours to get everything setup & running, but it's pretty easy to maintain!

I just bought Maleware for one year. I was using TrendMicro, and have been for a few years. But, it doesn't do maleware like Malewarebytes. So, I'd rather have a program that does both, and I know abou the mostly positive reviews of Malewarebytes. My TrendMicro subscription was up anyway. I've used MalewareByte's free version in the past, so I'm aware of the interface, etc.. My one HUGE mistake was I downloaded that crap from Iobit. I had their Advanced System Device, UninstallerPro, Device UpdaterPro, and their MalewarePro which had gotten piss porr reviews. Funny, when I ran MalewareBytes it viewed Iobit programs as a threat. lol, maybe it's trying to tell me something. I took those off and will be getting my money back. I didn't pay much for those 4 programs anyway.

I have Glasswire. Very interesting software. I have a password manager: SafeInCloud. Have been using it for a few years. Love it. Has all of the features that you mentioned, and syncs with smartphone/PC. I currently have a pot it note attached. Will look into getting a webcam cover. I'll look into those Chrome plugins. I have a few already. A few more couldn't hurt. I'll chekc out the rest of your recommendations this week. Thank you...

Oh, and I have a program called LockBox. It allows you to put your most important folders into the LockBox with a Passcode. It's very cool.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

If ransomeware got some files, and you didn't realize it before your back up, and that is your only, you are hosed. That is why I advise for incremental back ups with decent retention.

That could be said about offsite backups, too.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

It does not. Offsite protects you from personal tragedy like a house fire. If you have a garage or some other secure space that is not attached, that is a good idea for your backups.

I use my safe deposit box. I also keep another clone copy in the gun safe in the basement. And considering how small data is compared to what can be had on a thumb drive, one could literally have a copy/clone on their person.

 

[PowerEngineer]

This doesn't appear to have been mentioned yet, but (assuming you are using Windows) set up a user account for your day-to-day use that does not have admin privileges.

 

[ViviTheMage]

That could be said about offsite backups, too.

That is why I said incremental, haha.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Recently had an email from some prick trying to rip me off.He said he has vidoe of me jerking off on webcam.pay me this or ill upload it everywere.nice try twat.the scary thing is he probably sent out a shit ton of those emails.some idiots probably fell for it.:S

If ransomeware got some files, and you didn't realize it before your back up, and that is your only, you are hosed. That is why I advise for incremental back ups with decent retention.

Same here, happened last week(?). Exact same message except mine had a password attached that I used to frequently use from years ago. Email gave my frequently used old password and then threatened to release pictures of me which I know for a fact don't exist if I didn't click on a link to pay some money.
I stopped using that simple password a few years ago after one of the big data breeches. I assumed some dumb-dumb bought a bunch of passwords and sent this email to the accounts that it didn't work for anylonger.

As one of my Novell 3.1 instructor's told me many years ago: the easiest way to get a corporate network users password is to walk right up looking official and ask for it.

I agree ... IT security would be a piece of cake if it wasn't for the dang users who know just enough to make them dangerous.

While slightly off topic it does cover this. Confidence is everything regarding scams.
Decades ago I worked at a big Northeast retailer in their at the time corporate office. The security folks would ask people to go to a store and steal stuff as a training exercise, they handed you a get out of jail type card if you got "caught" the card basically had some code on it and a phone number to call.
I was selected one time, I "stole" a 32" TV when they costed around $1000, an expensive suit and something else I can't remember all by dropping them off at the service desk to have them held for me, having lunch then buying something trivial in the store and claimed that was my receipt. I even had someone bring the stuff out to my car for me. Scams are all about confidence, nobody questions someone with confidence.

 

[IBMJunkman]

Very hard to break into my computer. It is powered off 95% of the time.

 

[Captante]

Very hard to break into my computer. It is powered off 95% of the time.

Yep that'll do it (long as "wake on LAN" is disabled) .... Its also helpful to actually yank the network cable assuming there' s no wifi.

Hack this mf'er!

 

[Arx Allemand]

It's amazing this day and age the number of users that browse the web with absolutely no restrictions on scripts and advertising getting routed directly to their machines.

And the convenience factor, i.e. no passwords or ridiculously simple passwords. Some don't even like the inconvenience of having their mobile locked either.

But the price to pay when they get taken is beyond belief.

 

[MtnMan]

I use Webcam Cover, By simply swiping your finger, I can block anyone who shouldn’t be there while keeping your camera webcam accessible at all times so that I don’t have to worry about the webcam cover being fiddly and falling off.

Black electrical tape. Cheap, and has never fallen off.