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Internet security is a broad term that refers to a wide range of tactics that aim to protect activities conducted over the internet. Implementing internet security measures helps protect users from different online threats like types of malware, phishing attacks, scams, and even unauthorized access by hackers.

In this article, we highlight the importance of internet security in safeguarding your computer network and outline what you can do to have a comprehensive computer security system in place.

As the internet expands and becomes an even bigger part of our lives, cyberthreats continue to grow both in scope and sophistication. According to Forbes, data breaches and cyberattacks saw an increase of 15.1% in 2021 compared to the previous year. These security threats come in different forms and vary in terms of complexity and detectability.

Some common online threats people face today include:

While these internet security threats may seem overwhelming at first glance, safeguarding your computer or mobile devices from them is relatively easy. Below is a detailed look at some security solutions available to you.

As we stated above, setting up an internet security system is a relatively straightforward process. Here are some basic network security measures you can implement right away.

The first step in making sure you have internet security is installing antivirus software. These programs are designed to prevent, search for, detect, and get rid of viruses and other types of malicious software.

Antivirus software can run automatic scans to make sure no network or data breach has occurred and scan specific files or directories for any malicious activity or patterns.

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to antivirus software, however, few programs offer the comprehensive level of protection the antivirus software included in McAfee Total Protection provides to its users.

McAfees antivirus software comes with a wide selection of features, including malware detection, quarantine, and removal, different options for scanning files and applications, and an advanced firewall for home network security.

While this may sound obvious, its important to create strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts and devices. A significant percentage of data breaches occur as a result of simple password guessing.

Some tips to follow when creating a password include:

It can also be a good idea to use a password manager, as this will help reduce the risk of your passwords getting leaked or lost. McAfees password manager,is particularly convenient thanks to its advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication.

A firewall is a network security system built into your operating system. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent unauthorized access to your network. For it to be able to identify and block these threats, youll want to make sure your firewall is enabled on your device. If youre unsure if your device comes with a firewall, you can benefit from one included in McAfee Total Protection.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires at least two pieces of evidence before granting access to an app or website. Using this method as much as possible can add another layer of security to your applications and reduce the likelihood of a data breach.

Your choice of browser is an important part of implementing internet security measures. In fact, web browsers vary widely in terms of the security features that they offer, with some offering just the basics and others providing a more complete range of features. Ideally, you should opt for a web browser that offers the following security features:

As children grow older, their internet use becomes more extensive. This can also increase their exposure to various security threats. To keep them safe online, educate them about the risks associated with web browsing and introduce them to some of the best practices for avoiding online threats like not sharing passwords.

Explain which information should be shared and which information should be kept private and instruct them to never click on links from unknown sources.

You should also take a more active approach to protect your children by setting parental controls on certain websites. For instance, you can use YouTubes parental controls to filter any inappropriate content and keep a child-friendly interface.

The following tips can help you stay on the safe side in regard to internet security.

While malware attacks are common, their prevalence shouldnt deter you from browsing the internet as usual. Adhering to the internet security best practices outlined in this article can help keep you safe from the majority of security threats that you might encounter online.

For added security, consider using an all-in-one antivirus solution like McAfee+. This is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your devices from online threats.

Let McAfee handle your security while you focus on enjoying the web.

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What Is Internet Security? | McAfee Blog