Cybersecurity has become a hot topic over the past few years, and for a good reason. Think about the times you’ve shared personal information with businesses of questionable repute, had your identity stolen, or simply not cared enough to change your passwords often enough.
Whether you are actively browsing the internet or just a simple social media user, you should keep your personal information secure and private. Below we have seven easy tips to help you stay protected online:
1. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Using two-factor authentication is the best way to secure your online accounts. You must input a one-time code sent to your phone whenever you want to log into an account.
It’s two-factor because it combines something you know (your password) with something you have (your phone). So even if someone steals your password, they won’t log in unless they also have access to your phone.
If you’ve gone through setting up 2FA, the service must send codes via text message rather than an authenticator app — at least on Android. That’s because a new vulnerability in Android allows hackers to mimic the user interface of an authenticator app and steal your codes.
2. Pick A Strong Password And Make It Unique
If you use the same password for multiple websites, a hacker who obtains that password has free access to any of your accounts.
If you use a different password for every website, even if your password gets stolen, it only affects one of your accounts. For instance, if you are a gamer with different accounts on casinos not on Gamstop, it’s ideal to use different passwords to stay safe.
If you’re having trouble remembering all your passwords, consider using a password manager like google. It will store your passwords in an encrypted form and are much safer than writing them down or saving them as a document on your computer.
They also give you the option of generating random passwords for each website you visit. That makes it impossible to guess or crack them through brute force.
3. Always Check Your Bank Statements
It doesn’t take long to scan your bank statement each month to ensure there are no charges that aren’t yours. If you have recurring monthly charges, it should be easy to spot something that doesn’t belong there. Ensure you check carefully each time they arrive in the mail or online.
4. Keep Your Software Updated
Ensure your operating system, web browser, and other software get updated to their latest version. The same goes for apps on your smartphone or tablet. It reduces the chances of a hacker being able to find a vulnerability they can use against you.
5. Be Careful When You Click
Only click on a website link in emails or online if you know they are from legitimate sources. A link in an email might look like it is from a friend or a business you know.
Unfortunately, someone with criminal intentions may have hacked into their account and sent the message with a link that can download spyware onto your computer. This is“phishing” – fake emails that look real to get personal information!
6. Don’t Give Out Personal Information
You probably know not to share your social security number or bank account information with strangers. But there are other types of personal information you may not realize cybercriminals can use to attack you and your business.
Don’t share your location, birth date, vacation plans, children’s names, or anything else that a hacker can use to figure out passwords.
7. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage can be a great way to back up important files or share files with friends, but it’s also a good way to keep your data safe. Storing essential data in the cloud means it won’t get lost if your hard drive crashes.
There are many cloud storage options, but one of the best is Google Drive. This service comes free with a Google account and offers vast free space. Users can upgrade to more space for a monthly fee.
Protect Yourself Online
With these seven tools, you’ll be on your way to better online security and less worry. It’s easy to forget that the internet is a dangerous place, but you can reduce the risks dramatically by using these tools.
