Cybercrime is not a new phenomenon. It has been around for a while now. Although the techniques and tools used to commit this crime may have changed over time, the goal remains pretty much the same – steal valuable data and use it for profit.
Over the years, cyber security has become a hot topic as companies across all industries have been victims of cyberattacks.
The threat of these attacks includes the potential loss of revenue due to stolen data and the diminution of customer confidence as your reputation suffers from cyber attacks (i.e., hacking).
If you are wondering how to stay safe as an individual or business, read these eight tips for adequate cyber security.
1. Keep Your Operating System and Software Up to Date
One of the most crucial factors in preventing cyberattacks is keeping your operating system and software up to date.
You must update your software when new features become available, as they can help mitigate any security vulnerabilities recently discovered in your operating system that cybercriminals can use to exploit the system.
Cybercriminals use toolkits to exploit known vulnerabilities in operating systems and software to get vulnerable systems running in their virtual environments.
While keeping your operating system and software up to date is critical, you cannot forget about updating your device drivers since those also carry security patches that can prevent exploitations.
Learn more about the importance and tips for staying safe online here.
2. Use a Strong Password That Is Unique to Your Account
A strong password is one of the most important ways to protect your online account. Ensure your password is unique to your account and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use easily guessed words or phrases. Change your password regularly and never share it with anyone.
3. Don’t Open Emails From Unknown Senders
Be vigilant when opening emails, even if they seem to come from people you know. Many email scams are designed to look like legitimate messages but contain malicious attachments or links.
Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading files, especially if the message seems suspicious.
4. Install Anti-virus Software and Keep It Up-to-date
Even the best security in the world is no guarantee of protection, so you should supplement it with robust antivirus software.
For optimal protection, you should also keep your antivirus software up to date by updating it at least weekly or more regularly if prompted by the software provider to do so.
Most antivirus software suites include firewall and phishing protection that can further improve your security posture.
5. Be Aware of Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common ways that cybercriminals try to steal your information. They send emails that look like they are from a trusted source, but the emails’ links or files are malicious. If you click on the link or download the file, you may get malware on your computer.
To protect yourself from phishing scams, be aware of what they look like and avoid clicking on links or downloading files from suspicious emails.
You can also use a tool like Google Safe Browsing to check websites before visiting them.
6. Don’t Store Sensitive Information on Your Computer or Mobile Devices
Don’t store sensitive information on your computer or mobile devices, such as banking information or your social security number. If you do, you can lose that information if someone breaks into your computer and hacks it.
Instead, store that information only in secure online locations or on paper documents stored in a safe and secure site that you can access only when you need to.
7. Make Sure You’re Using a Secure Wi-Fi Connection When Accessing the Internet on Your Devices
When you’re traveling or working remotely, it’s helpful to have access to the internet on your phone to quickly look up something or send a work-related email. However, using public or unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots can risk becoming a victim of a Wi-Fi phishing scam or hacking attempt.
Before using such connections, ensure the network is secure by looking at the “HTTPS” in the URL field and making sure there is no sign of a padlock in the address bar.
Also, make sure you’re using a VPN to protect your data while accessing the internet over untrusted networks.
8. Make Use of Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication provides another layer of security by requiring you to enter a second verification code in addition to your password when logging in to an account or making a purchase.
This additional layer of security makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your account since they must know your password and the secondary code.
However, you should limit the number of accounts you are protecting with two-factor authentication since it can become cumbersome to enter your verification code every time you log in to an account or make a purchase.
So, there you have it. These are eight essential tips to keep yourself safe from online threats while browsing the web or working on a computer or smartphone. Always be on your guard because crime doesn’t take a break even when you are offline.