How to Protect Your Computer From Viruses and Scams: A Plain-English Guide
Every week, I hear from families and seniors across Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Long Island, NY who have been hit by a virus, fallen for a tech support scam, or had their accounts compromised. Online threats are real — but with the right habits, you can stay protected without becoming a cybersecurity expert.
I’m Mitchell Flecker, founder of FleckTech Solutions, and here is my plain-English guide to keeping your devices and personal information safe.
1. Keep Your Software and Operating System Updated
The single most important thing you can do is keep your software up to date. Windows, macOS, iPhone, and Android updates often include critical security patches that close vulnerabilities hackers actively exploit. Turn on automatic updates so you never fall behind.
2. Use a Reputable Antivirus Program
Windows 11 includes Windows Defender, which is genuinely good for most users. Mac users are less targeted but are not immune — consider Malwarebytes as a free second opinion scanner. Avoid free antivirus programs that bombard you with pop-ups, as some of them are scams themselves.
3. Recognize the Signs of a Tech Support Scam
One of the most common scams I see targets seniors and less tech-savvy users. Here is how it works: a pop-up appears on your screen claiming your computer is infected, and it tells you to call a phone number immediately. This is always a scam. Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never call you or display a pop-up asking you to call them. If this happens, close the browser window (or restart your computer if it is frozen) and call a trusted local technician instead.
4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Using the same password for multiple accounts is one of the biggest security risks. If one site is breached, all your accounts become vulnerable. Use a password manager like Bitwarden (free) or 1Password to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every account. You only need to remember one master password.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security to your accounts. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot log in without also having access to your phone. Enable 2FA on your email, bank, and social media accounts — it takes five minutes and dramatically increases your security.
6. Be Careful What You Click
Phishing emails are designed to look like they come from trusted sources — your bank, Amazon, the IRS, or even a friend. Before clicking any link in an email, hover over it to see the actual URL. If it looks suspicious or does not match the sender, do not click it. When in doubt, go directly to the website by typing the address yourself.
7. Back Up Your Data Regularly
Ransomware attacks encrypt your files and demand payment to restore them. The best defense is a recent backup. Use Windows Backup or Time Machine (Mac) to back up to an external drive, and consider a cloud backup service like Backblaze for an offsite copy. A good backup strategy means a ransomware attack is an inconvenience, not a disaster.
Need Help Securing Your Devices?
If you are not sure whether your computer is protected, or if you think you may have already been infected, FleckTech Solutions offers virus removal, security checks, and device hardening for families and businesses across Upstate NY and Long Island. We will clean up any existing threats and set you up with the right tools to stay safe going forward.
Call or text us at (631) 319-8324 | (518) 318-8324, or book a free consultation online.
