The Internet can become a dangerous place for users with hacking, scamming, cyber criminals, malware, life-threatening etc.
And, the update of devices, from smartphones and tablets to internet-connected appliances, has made it more dangerous for online users and businesses.
But out of all the good news is that by taking just a small step of security measures we can shorten the amount of risk or reduce our exposure to all these threats.
How to stay a step ahead of hackers and use internet safe:
Create Complex / not easy to guess Passwords
We know you’ve known it before, but creating strong, unique passwords for all your important accounts really is the best way to put your personal and financial data in a safe place.
This is very true in the era of widespread corporate hacks, where one small data can reveal millions of user passwords. If you reuse your passwords, hackers can take the leaked data from one attack and use it to log in to your other accounts.
The best advice:
use a password manager to help you store and generate strong passwords for your accounts.
check if your online accounts offer multi-factor authentication. This is when multiple parts of information are required to verify your Identity. So, to log into an account you will need to enter a code that is sent to your Mobile phone, as well as your password or passcode.
Boost Your Network Security
Now that your logins are safer, make sure that your connections are secured. When you're at home or work, you might use a password-protected router that encrypts your data. But, when you’re traveling by road or going somewhere by road, you might be tempted to use free public Wi-Fi.
The problem with public Wi-Fi is that it is unsecured for online users. This means it’s much or less easier for a hacker to access your device or information. That’s why you should invest some money in a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN is a part of software that creates a secured connection over the internet, so you can safely use the internet from anywhere.
Use a Firewall
Even if your network is secured, you should still use a firewall. This an electronic barrier that blocks every unauthorized access to your computers and devices and is often included with strong security software. Using a firewall makes sure that all of the devices connected to your network remain secured, including IoT (Internet of Things) devices like smart thermostats, webcams etc.
This is important since many IoT devices aren’t updated with security measures, giving hackers a easy chance to enter your entire network.
Click Smart
Make sure that you don’t invite danger with a careless click. A lot of online threats are based on phishing or social engineering.
This is when you are tricked into revealing personal or sensitive information for illegal purposes. Spam emails, “free” offers, click bait, spammy ads such as "you have won 100000$!", online quizzes and more.
they use these tactics to lure you to click on dangerous links or give your personal information access to them. Never trust spammy offers that sound too good to be true or ask for too much information about you. Never give away your Social Security number or pin!
Be a Selective Sharer
These days, there are a lot of platforms available to share our personal feelings or information online and on social media.
But, be more or less extra cautious about what you are sharing on social platforms, especially when it comes to your identity information. Some hackers can use this infos to impersonate you or guess your passwords, security questions, and logins.
Protect Your Mobile Life
Our mobile devices can be just as open to online threats as our laptops. In fact, tablets and cell phones are facing new risks, such as dangerous apps, emails and links sent by text message.
Be careful when you are about to click on something, don’t respond to messages from strangers, and only download apps from official app stores after reading other users’ reviews to make yourself double sure. Ensure that your security software is enabled on all your devices.
Practice Safe Surfing & Shopping
When you are thinking of shopping online, inputting your credit card or financial information, or visiting websites for online banking or other sensitive transactions, check the site’s address.
The web address should always start with “https,” instead of just “http,” and have a padlock icon in the URL field. This informs users that the website is secured for all users' and uses encryption to scramble your data so it can’t be intercepted by an identity thief. Also, don't fall into the traps of websites that have misspellings or bad grammar in their addresses.
These websites could be copies of legitimate websites. Use safe search tools such as McAfee WebAdvisor to steer clear of risky sites.
Keep Up to Date
Keep all of your software updated to make sure you can have the latest security patches. Turn on automatic updates on your computer, tablet, and cell phone just so you don’t have to think about it multiple times, and make sure that your security software is set to run regular scans.
Look Out for the Latest Scams
Online threats are evolving time to time, so make sure you know what to look out for.
Currently, “ransomware” is on the rise. This is when a hacker will threaten to lock you out of all of your files unless you agree to pay a ransom.
Stay one step ahead of hackers' and other threats by staying informed.
Keep Your Guard Up
Always be extra cautious about your online activity, which sites you are visiting, and what you're sharing on social networking websites.
Use comprehensive security software,
Make sure to back up all of your data on a regular basis in case something goes wrong. By taking preventive measures and following just a few basic internet safety rules, you can protect yourself from identity theft and malware and keep your personal and financial information secured.