How You Can Improve Your Cybersecurity for Free

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You are always a target  for hackers (be prepared)

Always understand that your computer, phones or private information can be hacked. Take precautions in whatever you do in this regard. Encrypt, use PIN or password to protect your sensitive data.

Use antivirus and other security software packages.

On your computer devices, always endeavor to install and use antivirus and similar security packages. In some cases, you can install them for free. For instance Windows based PCs come with a free but very powerful security software called Windows Security. Most high end android phones come with free premium antivirus and encryption software.

Encrypt sensitive data

Always encrypt sensitive data. Encryption protects your data against unauthorised access. Do not transmit sensitive information except it is encrypted.

Use HTTPS when working with sensitive information on a website.

Never transmit sensitive information unless on a website except it is using SSL/TLS encryption, and the page loads with HTTPS, not HTTP.

Back up often

Always back up sensitive data regularly so that in the event of a computer crash or hacker attack, you can recover without any troubles.

Do not share account login details with people

Do not share your login details of sensitive accounts with people you don’t trust. If possible, don’t share your login details with anyone.

Use proper authentication

Avoid use of complex hard to remember passwords.

Don’t overshare on social media

Use social media wisely, mind the type of information you post on sites such as facebook twitter, instagram and so on.

Use public/school/company Wi-Fi Safely

While public Wi-fi is good, do not use them to transfer sensitive data as these public networks are not as safe as private networks. Also these type networks are closely monitored.

How to Hard reset a Mac PC

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Before you hard reset your Mac, it is wise to do the following.

  1. Back up important data
  2. Sign out of iTunes, messages and iCloud
  3. Unlock any app that is locked to your Mac

Doing the above steps will make it easy to logon to these platforms after resetting your device.

To hard reset do the following;

1.Restart your Mac and hold down the Command and R keys while it boots.

If you are asked to choose a language of your choice, choose English 

2. Run the Disk Utility.

3. In the Disk Utility screen, select your device’s main hard disk volume, then click on Unmount, then Erase.

4. Erase all contents of other disks in the device.

5.  Exit the Disk Utility by clicking Quit Disk Utility in the Disk Utility menu.

6. Click on Reinstall macOS and follow the steps to reinstall the operating system onto the primary disk.  

How to Hard Reset your iPhone

To hard reset your iPhone do the following:

1. Run the Settings app and choose General ,   Reset ,  Erase All Content and Settings.

2. If you’re asked for your Apple ID and Password to confirm the reset, enter them.

3. When you see a warning and a red Erase iPhone (or iPad) button, click on it.

HARD reset of Android phones

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Your Modern Android Phone comes equipped with a robust Factory Reset feature. How to do a factory reset varies slightly for different manufacturers and operating systems / version. This write up will show you some examples of how to activate a hard reset on several popular devices. Other devices are likely to have similar options.

The menu structure of Samsung phones and Tablets are not the same. But if your device is running Android 9, below, is the procedure to hard reset it.

How to Hard Reset SAMSUNG GALAXY Phones and Tablets running on ANDROID 9

1. Run the Settings app.

2. From the main Settings menu, click on General Management.

3.     Click on Reset.

4. Click on Factory Data Reset.

5. Next Click Reset, Follow the instructions presented with the relevant warnings.

Hard Resetting Android Phones Running on Android 8 and below. 

The way to hard reset android phones varies based on phone manufacturer , android operating system and version. You can follow the steps below to reset your phone

1. Run the Settings app.

2. From the main settings menu, click on System.

3. In the System menu, click on Reset.

4. In the Reset menu, click on Factory Data Reset.

5. Confirm by clicking Reset, then Follow the instructions to continue.

How to Reset a Windows 10 PC You can’t login to.

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This method is necessary if you can’t login to Windows 10.  This can happen if you forgot your password or if an hacker changed your password.

1. Boot your PC.

2. When the login screen appears, click on the Power icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

You will be prompted with several choices. Do not click on any of them  yet.

3. Without clicking any choices, hold down the Shift key and then click on Restart.

A menu appears.

4. Click on Troubleshoot.

5. Select, Reset This PC.

6. Select, Remove Everything.

Please make sure you read the warnings carefully before proceeding.

How to Hard Reset a Windows 10 PC the EASY WAY

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What is hard reset 

Hard reset means the process of returning your device to factory state. Which is the same state your device was when you purchased it brand new. Think well before you do a hard reset because the process is irreversible. You cannot undo the reset once done. Any files stored or installed on the device are deleted in the process. If you want a hard reset, you need to follow the instructions for your device.

Why a Hard Reset is Necessary

A hard reset is necessary if your device becomes unstable, unusable or if its security features have been severely compromised. Also if you are going to sell your used phone or give it permanently to someone, it is necessary you do a hard reset. 

How to Hard Reset Windows 10 PC

Your Next Gen Windows device likely offers more than one way to reset it.

 The following method describes how to hard reset Windows 10 PC when you have access to it.

1. Click the start button. In the Start menu, click on Settings or PC Settings, depending on your operating system version.

2. In Windows Settings, click on Update and Security.

The Windows Update screen appears.

3. Click on Recovery in the menu on the left side of the Window.

4. Click on the Get Started button in the Reset this PC section at the top of the window.

At this point, you may be prompted to insert the original installation CD on which you received Windows 10. But in most cases you don’t have to. Windows 10 usually stores a recovery copy in the harddrive.

Windows will offer you two choices;

a.      Keep my files:

b.      Remove everything: 

Option a means that files stored in data folders such as documents folder will be preserved intact after the reset. 

Option b means that all files and apps will be removed during the reset.

               5. Select the reset option that best suits your needs.

6. When you are ready to proceed, click on the Reset button.

7. From here on follow the prompts. If you receive a prompt asking you to continue to Windows 10 or troubleshoot, click continue to windows 10.

8. Hard resetting your windows 10 PC will take a while.