How to Protect Your Device from Hackers in 2023 (10 Easy Tips)
Hackers don’t only target public figures, government agencies, and big businesses. The truth is you’re vulnerable every time you connect to the internet. Cyberattacks often go undetected and can be delivered to your computer via phishing scams, bogus websites, and spam emails. Plus, anyone can be a target.
To prevent hackers from exploiting your system’s weaknesses, you need a robust defense system to protect your PC. For maximum security, I recommend investing in a premium VPN (ExpressVPN has the best security features on the market) and a reliable antivirus (Norton 360 has a 100% malware detection rate). I’ve also compiled this list of the 10 best ways to prevent your device from being hacked.
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Quick Guide: The Best Way to Protect Your Device From Hackers in 2023
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN to protect your Mac or Windows PC with military-grade encryption and obfuscation on every server.
- Install antivirus software. Norton 360 is the best antivirus for detecting threats on any device.
- Launch your VPN and antivirus. You can now enjoy maximum protection from hackers on your device.
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10 Easy Tips to Protect Your Device From Hackers in 2023
1. Use a VPN and Antivirus
Although Windows and macOS have some built-in security, the best protection against hackers comes from combining a VPN with an antivirus.
While both a VPN and antivirus provide extensive security on their own, having both installed on your PC yields the best results. A VPN secures your connection by masking your IP address and encrypting all traffic to and from your device. However, if you download a file that contains a virus or malware, an antivirus will identify and prevent malicious software from harming your device (but it does not provide encryption).
My team and I have tested 50+ VPNs, and ExpressVPN is clearly the best VPN for Windows and macOS. To protect your PC’s internet traffic from hackers, you can connect to any of ExpressVPN’s high-speed network of 3,000+ servers in 94 countries.
I ran several tests on its servers, and ExpressVPN passed them all. Furthermore, the company’s claims on its security and privacy are backed up by 2 independent audits by Cure53 and KPMG.
Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test every ExpressVPN feature on your Mac or Windows PC. If you’re unhappy, you’re entitled to a full refund. I put it to the test by requesting a refund via live chat. The customer service rep didn’t try to get me to stay, and the money was back in my account 5 days later.
Protect your devices with ExpressVPN
Norton is an excellent complement to ExpressVPN’s encryption capabilities, offering strong protection against cyber threats on Windows and macOS. It has an anti-malware scanner, web protection to detect phishing links, and WiFi Security to alert you when you connect to an unsecured public network.
While there are many plans to choose from, I recommend Norton 360 Deluxe as it offers the best value. Aside from malware protection, a firewall, and coverage for 5 simultaneous devices, it also comes with a VPN add-on. Plus, when you sign up for a Norton subscription on the website, you’ll get a 60-day money-back guarantee. I tested the refund policy myself, and my request was approved in just 5 minutes on live chat. I only had to wait 6 working days for the full fee to be returned to my account.
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2. Keep Your OS and Apps Updated (and Remove Old Apps)
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth saying again: keep your device’s operating system (OS) and apps up to date. Along with new features, Windows and macOS regularly update their systems with important security fixes that help protect you from a wide range of threats.
You can make sure you never miss a patch release by turning on auto-updates. If your device is old, you might be hesitant to download a new software update since doing so can sometimes slow down your computer. But I’d rather have a slow device than one that could be hacked.
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3. Only Download Apps From Trusted Sources
The apps you download have access to a lot of information about you, so it’s important to install only trusted software from reputable companies.
Starting at the source is the easiest way to do this. Make sure you only download apps from the Microsoft Store, the Apple App Store, or another reliable source. Before any apps are accepted to the Microsoft Store or the Apple App Store, they must meet certain security requirements and be scanned to ensure they don’t have malware.
If you’re unsure about an app you downloaded, you can use Norton 360 to scan your device for malware and other security risks. Norton provides real-time and manual scans to check for threats, so you can catch a rogue app before it gives away your personal information.
4. Use a Complex Passcode
Not all passwords are created equal — using a complex password will make you much safer. Aim for 16–20 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Here are a few more ways to make passwords safer:
- Change your password every 6 to 12 months or whenever you hear that a service you use has a data breach.
- Don’t give honest answers to security questions. Instead, consider it an extra password and answer with letters and numbers.
Along with the tips above, I suggest getting a password manager. This allows you to store your account passwords in a digital vault. This gives you much better security and means you don’t have to remember dozens of passwords. Norton’s plans all come with a free password manager on Windows and macOS. With Norton’s money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free for 60 days.
5. Learn How to Lock or Wipe Your PC Remotely
Find My Mac from Apple and Find My Device from Windows are both ways to track the location of your PC if you lose it or it gets stolen. But these tools can do more than just track your device. They can also be set to lock your device and delete all of its data, so thieves can’t get to your information.
6. Be Careful When Granting App Permissions
Even if you only download apps from trusted stores like the Microsoft Store or the App Store, not many apps can be trusted with your personal information.
Many apps will ask for your location, photos, contacts, and other information. Even though giving these permissions might not seem like a big deal, they could become a privacy issue if the app were ever hacked or otherwise compromised. By limiting an app’s permissions, you can take extra steps to protect yourself.
If an app asks for permissions that seem odd, you should say no and send a ticket to the app store to make a formal complaint. You should also run Norton 360 to make sure your apps don’t install any malware.
7. Beware of Spam and Phishing Emails
While your spam folder will catch a lot of threats, it won’t stop all of them from getting to your inbox. Here are some ways to keep yourself safe from spam and phishing emails:
- Don’t open any emails that look suspicious. Opening an email itself isn’t very dangerous, but it can still give the spammer information about you, like your IP address, approximate location, ISP, and more.
- Never click on a link in a suspicious email. If you accidentally open a malicious email, delete it immediately and don’t click any links or attachments — they could contain viruses or other malicious software.
- Mark suspicious emails as spam or junk. This helps your email service’s detection software learn how to spot these emails in the future.
If you click on a link or open an attachment that you think could be harmful, run antivirus software to scan your device immediately. Norton 360 will scan all the apps on your device and eliminate any viruses, malware, or other security risks. Plus, you can try Norton for 60 days with its money-back guarantee.
8. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts by requiring you to give an additional piece of information (after entering your username and password). While it can feel tedious and inconvenient, 2FA is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself online.
For the best security, you should use a software token-based method like Google Authenticator, which gives you a time-based OTP. Avoid SMS text messages and voice-based 2FA whenever possible; they’re less secure and easy for hackers to trick.
Once you’ve set up two-factor authentication (2FA), I recommend pairing it with a premium VPN. This way, your traffic is encrypted, so hackers can’t see when you log in to your private accounts. You can try ExpressVPN for your PC totally risk-free. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re unhappy, you can request a refund over live chat.
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9. Keep Your Device With You At All Times
Even though hackers can access your PC remotely, the easiest way for someone to get in is to get their hands on it. The good news is that it’s easy to stop someone from taking your device by keeping it with you.
Of course, this isn’t always possible, especially if you have a desktop computer. But, if you follow the other tips on this list, your data should still be safe even if a hacker gets their hands on your device.
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10. Update and Secure Your Router
As the link to all your household devices, your WiFi router can be a major vulnerability. However, most people overlook their routers when it comes to online security.
Most people never update their router firmware or change the default password. This makes them an easy target for network-based attacks. You can bolster your security by:
- Changing the default password. Remember to use at least 16 characters and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Be sure to keep the firmware up-to-date regularly.
- Regularly check what devices are connected to your router. If you notice a device that doesn’t belong to you, it’s time to change your password again.
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What are the best apps to protect my device from being hacked?
After extensive research, I found that getting a top-tier VPN and an antivirus app is the best way to protect your devices from being hacked. With a VPN, your web traffic is encrypted to protect it from hackers, advertisers, and anyone else who might be keeping track of what you do online. This is especially helpful if you often connect to public WiFi networks at work, cafes, or airports. ExpressVPN is the best VPN app for Windows and macOS devices in 2023, so I highly recommend it.
Even if malware gets onto your PC, an antivirus app can spot and stop it before it harms your device. Norton 360 offers advanced anti-malware tools and intuitive apps for Windows and macOS.
Protect your PC with Norton 360
Defend Your Device Against Cyberattacks Today
Hackers don’t just go after celebrities and wealthy people — every time you connect to the internet, you put yourself at risk. Although the built-in security measures of macOS and Windows provide some defense, they’re insufficient to prevent all attacks from today’s sophisticated privacy threats. For comprehensive security, you should be proactive and use antivirus software with a VPN.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for encrypting web traffic from your PC. Plus, all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy it in confidence and get a refund if you’re unhappy with its performance. I tried it myself, and my money was returned within 5 days.
Norton 360 Deluxe can protect your Windows or Mac device from all cyber threats, including phishing scams, malicious scripts and trackers, viruses, and more. And, with a massive 60-day money-back guarantee, you can test out its features without any risk.
