A Guide To Upping Your Online Security

We all like to think we maintain solid internet security practices, but it might shock you how slack most of us are on a day-to-day basis.

If your passwords are all the same, or you download random things during the course of the average day, you don’t have a solid and standardised approach to internet security and your system could be vulnerable to attack.
Don’t panic! You can up your online security with just a few simple tools:
Norton Antivirus
There is a wealth of antivirus programs out there, and the likes of AVG even offer a free entry-level programme. Norton Antivirus costs $49.99 for a license for up to three computers, but it is worth every cent…
Consistently voted as the strongest antivirus protection in the business, Norton will do a solid job of protecting you against malicious viruses and malware that can infect your system faster than a swarm of locusts.
Malware Bytes
Malware has become exceptionally efficient at burrowing into a computer’s system, hiding itself and even switching off the programs that can detect it. Even reputable sources have recommended simply giving up and reinstalling the system, which puts you at risk of wiping out your data. But there’s one thing you should try first: Malware Bytes.
Malware Bytes is one of the most effective programs for unearthing, quarantining and removing malware. It has received almost unanimous praise on CNET, with 6060 positive votes and a 4.5 star rating.
There’s a free version that has been found to work well, but the premium version offers real-time protection, too. Anybody who has spent a day removing annoying malware that seeks to infect your browser with constant adverts, only to see it come back, will testify that the $24.99 premium version is worth the money.
Adblock Plus
Advertising is getting more sophisticated and if you’ve ever wondered why you receive offers for products you recently looked at on Amazon then you can blame your browser and ad spaces that track your browsing history, location and other personal data. Adblock Plus puts a stop to that.
You can even configure it so that unobtrusive ads will still show up, but the malware-ridden bad apples will find themselves blocked by the monster linebacker that is Adblock Plus. After all, you or your customers may need a nudge in the right direction to reach the checkout.
MyPermissions
Many apps delve into your personal information to make things easier for you, but there isn’t always a malicious reason. It’s simply best practice to control how much of your information is readily accessible. MyPermissions will alert you when any apps are accessing your info, so you can take action as and when you wish.
Dashlane
Dashlane is designed to protect all your critical information in one super secure wallet. This nifty bit of software allows you to have the most complicated passwords you can imagine, all with an auto login protected by AES-256 encryption.
That’s good enough for the US government to send classified information, so it’s more than enough to protect your login to a dating site, for example. Dashlane can also autofill all your online shopping forms with your address and credit card information, while you stay safe in the knowledge it is protected from potential thieves. With Dashlane on your system, the only way your information can leak out is if you yourself give it to the wrong people.
Tor Browser
The Tor Project has unfortunately become synonymous with sinister, underworld and downright illegal practices. At its core, though, Tor is simply a web browser designed to protect against surveillance and analysis of any kind.
It’s the most extreme form of internet anonymity and has yet to catch on with the mainstream population. Tor remains a niche product for the hardcore privacy fanatic.
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