To keep my long story short, there is a software programmer who knows me pretty well that he wants to hack (and will try to hack) my PC and steal my confidential data stored on my desktop PC. I have no any security solutions yet to protect my PC against those hacks. What is specifically thing I should take immediate action now to protect my data and my activities from being watched or stolen?
Tsw88,
A couple of suggestions, in addition to Antivirus, Firewall, etc.,:
1. Disable WiFi when you’re not using it!
2. Use a VPN, it acts as an intermediary between your device and the Internet server, routing all your activity through your own encrypted loop of the Internet. It hides your real IP address from hackers.
How to Setup and Add a VPN Connection in Windows 10
Have a solid, reliable, routine of weekly (or more often if data changes often) rotating images of your OS and Data partitions. While you cannot completely be hack-proof, you can have solid rotating restorable backups if you do get hacked or ransomwared.
There is one type of security program you could install, finetune, and use: "protect o' data pots" against ransomware. WAR - WinAntiRansomware is just one example of many such programs. WAR for me allows me to "green-light" each and every program and utility that is ok to be given access to my "data pot". My data pot is located in a different partition than my normal collection of day-to-day folders and files. I FreeFileSync 'em on a weekly basis.
addendum: supplied missing words
Last edited by RolandJS; 15 Apr 2017 at 20:17.
See this current post Hacking tools were stolen from NSA - Almost all Windows affected
Maybe we should all go back to sending letters and banking in person at a local branch?
Hi all does keyscramble help protecting against password or document contents being stolen and watched in the background? (I often need to create text documents which content confidential information)
Yes and no @Tsw88. I just post message about that stolen NSA's hacking tools... and it's specific timing.
There is no 100% method, tool or practice these days to stay safe from somebody who has enough knowledge and is set to hack you.
For most users, acting responsible is good enough. Responsible means:
- set up basic security (Windows defender, firewall and maybe Malwarebytes Anti Exploit),
- be careful on net (think before you click on something, delete mails with suspicious content before you read it, ...)
- make compete backup of your files (at least documents, pictures and anything that have value to you) and put it in safe place (disconnect it from computer).
- in addition - secure your home router! Disable WPS if you have it on..
In the case of OP (thread starter), I would move important files from computer to external drive (not just copied them!) if the files are some kind of important and should be private) and be extra careful...
Last edited by AndreTen; 15 Apr 2017 at 05:58.
The best form of defence against a hacker is backups! No amount of software will block a determined hacker from gaining entry.
Ideally you should make regular backups to an external drive which is not normally connected to your computer at other times.
If you don't have an external backup device, now might be a good time to start investing in one.
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