Today, technology has seeped into every aspect of life. Education, entertainment, current affairs, and even socializing are now dependent on technology. But as these innovations advance and evolve, so do the risks related to them. With greater access to TV and Internet deals, users today are registered to a large number of digital accounts. However, this also increases risks related to data theft and cybercrime. In order to keep your data safe and protected, you can take the following steps.
Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi ConnectionsÂ
The internet is an important part of everyday life today. Because of this, a large number of public places such as museums, cafes, airports, cinemas, and restaurants have free public internet connections. This sounds very convenient and practical, but it can actually post a significant amount of security risks. When you’re connected to a public internet connection, hackers in the area have greater chances of accessing your device and the data inside. Apart from this, you can’t be sure about the router settings. This can also increase the risk of malware and viruses attacking your data. So, in order to maximize cybersecurity, avoid public internet.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information OnlineÂ
This might sound like a no-brainer. But you’d be surprised by the number of people who reveal personal information online only to get attacked by hackers or malware. As technology evolves and advances, so do cybercriminals. Thus, it makes it hard to distinguish them from authentic sources. In fact, a large number of cybercriminals obtain account information and data through emails and messages that sound extremely believable. As a result, many people are likely to fall prey to such tactics.
Thus, it’s important to never give out important information such as bank account details, your private address, and your phone number. Many scammers and hackers also pretend to be calling from your bank to confirm account details. In such cases, there’s a good chance you’re being contacted by hackers. This is because banks will never ask for such information over the phone.
Create Strong PasswordsÂ
The type of passwords you create is also very important in protecting your accounts and keeping your data safe and secure. Make sure that you build a strong and lengthy password that has a large number of characters and numbers. It should have both upper and lower case letters, at least one number, and special characters. Apart from this, you should ensure that you don’t use personal information in your passwords such as names, addresses, or phone numbers.
These can be easy to guess and can, thus, increase your chances of getting hacked. Moreover, you should use different passwords for different accounts. Do not use the same password for all other accounts. If you do this, you’re increasing the chances of having your data stolen.
Enable Two-Step Verification Â
Two-Step Verification or Two Factor Authentication (2FA) is a feature that has been recently introduced to limit the chances of cybercrime and increase cybersecurity. A large number of companies like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter use Two-Step Verification to enhance security and reduce data leaks and hacking. When you log into an account, the platform will typically ask you for your username and password.
However, this feature provides an additional security step. It sends a code either to your phone number or your email address. You can verify your identity by submitting this code. Some sites may even ask you to insert a security PIN after logging in to verify your identity. As a result, your chances of getting hacked are greatly reduced.
Use Encrypted Messaging AppsÂ
Today, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal are gaining popularity. In fact, they’re so popular now that they’ve taken over traditional forms of messaging. However, messaging sites are prone to data hacks and unwanted, risky privacy updates. Recently, WhatsApp came out with an update that compromised its user’s security and protection. It was also revealed that Facebook-owned Whatsapp had access to a lot of users’ private information. Cyber Security can help you keep your data safe, Cyber Security Course online will teach you how to protect computer operating systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks.
This is why it’s important to use safer alternatives like Signal. With encrypted chats, it’s hard for hackers to gain personal information. Even if they manage to access your data, your chats won’t be in a readable format. This way, your data will remain secure despite being attacked. Moreover, it’s also important to not reveal information like bank account and transaction details. Signal is also a safer alternative because it’s open source. This means that users have access to the entire list of coding that went into the creation of the app. This ensures transparency and trust and reduces the risk of data leaks or hacks.
It’s important to take additional measures to protect yourself against malware and cybercriminals that could potentially pose a threat to your data.
