Tools · April 17, 2019

Becoming computer savvy about security does not mean hanging out at MIT. All it takes is assessing a computer's needs and matching those with a good solution. What can be surprising is that making a computer secure might not even cost anything more than time.

Knowing the operating system of the computer is the very first step. Windows, Mac, and Linux each come with their own quirks, and the right security approach depends on which one is in use and how the machine is actually used day to day.

Start with the basics

• Identify the operating system and how current its updates are.
• Match protection to actual use — browsing, downloads, shared files.
• Look for antivirus software that bundles firewall protection, since many suites cover both in one package.

Taking stock of these details first makes it far easier to pick a sensible, proportionate security solution rather than guessing at what might be needed.