With the world shifting to using more technology and data, cybercrime is becoming more and more widespread. The use of social media and online services means that data is one of the most valuable commodities worldwide, and hackers are constantly attempting to get access to personal, private, and business data in a range of potentially devastating ways. Here are some of the main ways to ensure that your online safety is protected, both in your personal life and at work.
Strong Passwords:
One of the easiest ways to hack into an account is a password breach. And, there are many important reasons why you should always set passwords that are unique and difficult to guess. Sadly, most people don’t take this into account when setting passwords and it is natural to try and come up with a password that you can easily remember. However, these are also the passwords that are usually the easiest to guess, with hackers using software that can try hundreds of different password attempts per seconds until they find the one that gets them into your account.
Verify Email Senders:
Not every email that you receive is going to be innocent, regardless of how it may appear. There have been many cases of social engineering or phishing attacks where people have believed that they are speaking to their boss, a family member or friend, or somebody else who is trusted – when in reality, they are handing information over to a hacker. It’s crucial to always be wary of any emails that are requesting information from you or ask you to open a link or attachment, if you are not expecting it. Always verify the sender before taking any action. You can also use Nuwber to find out who is emailing you by searching for the email address.
Keep Software Up to Date:
Software updates might seem like they always happen at the most inconvenient times, but the truth is that they are necessary for your online safety. This is especially true when it comes to updating operating systems and antivirus software. Since hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to breach systems and gain access, software companies are in a constant race against them, and many updates are in direct response to new hacker software or techniques that has made the current version less secure or put you at risk. By failing to make updates, you could be compromising your own online safety. Setting all software to update automatically is the best option.
Use a VPN For Public Wi-Fi or Working From Home:
If like many people you are working from home due to the COVID19 crisis, or often spend time in public places where you access the internet using public Wi-Fi, using a virtual private network is the best way to protect your online security. Working from home carries more security risks, since home Wi-Fi networks are often easier to breach compared to business networks, meaning that remote workers have been the victim of several attacks the past year alone. Public Wi-Fi is very easy for hackers to breach and gain access to your device over. A VPN encrypts all traffic to and from your device on any network, making it much harder for a cybercriminal to attempt a breach or access your data.
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