It is imperative to keep your computer safe and secure because cybersecurity is a field that is always changing. There is a chance that someone from far away could be getting into your computer, which is why you need to take action to find and stop it. Follow the many steps in this guide to find out if someone is using your computer from afar. It also helps you protect your machine.
Table of Contents
1. Monitor Network Activity
Watching how your network is used is one of the first things you can do to find out if someone is coming in from somewhere else. Check to see if any strange or questionable gadgets are connected to your network. There are settings on your router that let you see what devices are linked and their IP addresses.
Things that don’t look right could mean someone breaking in without your permission. Some of the gadgets that are connected to your network may only have guests. If you compare them to devices you already know are linked, you can find possible intruders. To keep a digital place safe, it’s important to check the network often.
2. Check Remote Desktop Settings
After that, take a close look at how the remote screen on your computer is set up. People who use Windows should go to the Control Panel, click on “System and Security,” and then click on “System.” Finally, check the “Remote settings” to make sure you can connect from away.
If you don’t need it, turn it off. If you do, make sure you set up strong passwords and user authentication so that you can get to things from away. In this step, you make sure that only people are allowed to connect to your computer online. It’s much less likely that someone will get in without permission now.
3. Review Recent Login Activity
You need to spend more time reading the computer’s security logs. Open the Event Viewer in Windows, click on “Windows Logs,” and then click on “Security.” Pay close attention to the “Security ID” and “Logon Type” fields to see if there are any strange or missed entries. Also, look for events that have the number 4624. You can see if anyone is acting strangely by looking at all of your recent logins. If you check these logs often, your computer will be even safer.
4. Use Security Software
One of the most important things you can do to keep your computer safe is to use strong security tools. You need to get antivirus and malware protection apps that you know will fully scan your system. These apps are made to find problems and get rid of them. This is what they do to keep your machine safe from different kinds of bad behavior. Also, keep your security tools up to date at all times. In this way, it can find the newest risks and holes in computer security.
5. Check Firewall Settings
A router keeps the big internet from getting into your computer. It’s up to you to control what network info comes in and goes out of your computer. When someone tries to get on the internet without permission, a firewall can send out a warning. This adds another layer of security. Many times a day, check the firewall logs to see if there is any weird activity. Also, block any links that look sketchy. This method helps protect your computer from possible threats.
6. Look for Unusual Behavior
Watch out for strange things happening on your computer. This is the most important thing you can do to find remote access. You might have been hacked if your computer starts acting up quickly, your mouse moves in ways you can’t explain, or programs start or end on their own.
Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS can help you find tasks that are taking up a lot of space. This can help you find things that shouldn’t be happening. To be cautious about cybersecurity, you need to keep an eye on and look into these behaviors every day.
7. Review Installed Applications
Reading over the programs on your computer often is a simple but important safety measure. People who shouldn’t be there could use apps that aren’t well-known or aren’t safe. Get rid of any software you didn’t set up or know how to use. It’s possible to keep your computer free of software that could be harmful or annoying if you check it often. This makes it less likely that someone will get in without your permission.
How To Prevent Such Problems?
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: To keep your computer safe, you should always use two-factor verification (2FA). In the second step, someone who knows your password still has to show that they are who they say they are. Plus, platforms and apps that support 2FA protect you even more from people who shouldn’t be there. This makes your machine safer in general.
- Regularly Update Software and Operating System: Always make sure that your operating system and all the apps you use are up to date to protect your computer. Updates for software often fix bugs and add important security changes. If you still use old software, there are some risks. Make sure you check for and run changes often. One important way to keep a computer system safe and working well is to keep the software up to date in this way.
- Secure Remote Access Tools: If the law requires you to use online access tools, you need to make sure they are set up so there are no risks. Don’t forget to use encryption and strong passwords, and check the entry logs often. People who aren’t supposed to be there often get in with passwords that are easy to figure out or that come with tools for online access. Part of a good protection plan is to check and shut down remote access tools regularly.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you don’t want people to be able to get into your computer from far away, you need a strategic, all-around plan. To protect your computer from threats, you should watch what’s going on in the network, check your firewall settings, look at the last few logins, get security software, use two-factor authentication, keep an eye on installed apps, and see if they act strangely, regularly update your software, and make sure that any remote access tools you use are safe.
However, you can also check out our detailed guide on How to Fix a Slow Computer? What Might Be the Causes of the Slowness of Your Computer? or How to Use Chromecast on Your Computer or Laptop?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible for someone to use my computer from away?
Watch what’s going on in the network, check the settings for remote computers, look at your history of logins, use security software, and be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t seem right. These things will help you get in from afar.
Why is it important to back up your account twice?
Even if someone already knows your login, two-factor security makes it safer because it needs a second piece of proof. All in all, this makes your machine a lot better.
What should I do if I think I see something strange on my network?
If something on your network doesn’t seem right, you should check it out more to see if hackers are behind it. You could set up your router so that only devices you know can connect to your network. This will keep it safe.
How long should I keep an eye on my computer’s logs?
Every once in a while, you should look at the protection logs on your computer. Go over it once a month or three times a year, depending on how often you use it. This will help you find anything fishy.
How come it’s important to always have the newest apps?
Security holes are fixed and key changes are made to security all the time by software tweaks. Make sure that your operating system and running software are always up to date to avoid the risks that come with using old software.
