As cyber security threats become more regular, it’s critical to understand what you can do to secure your personal information online. Although there is no hard and fast rule to avoid cyber attacks, you can use several cybersecurity tips to level up your data privacy game.
To learn some of the best tips and tricks for keeping your personal information safe and secure online, keep reading!
Table of Contents
1. Avoid using public Wi-Fi
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a cybersecurity tool when utilizing public Wi-Fi connection. The traffic between the VPN server and your device is encrypted when you use VPN software.
The VPN makes access to your data on your device considerably more difficult for a cybercriminal. When security is a concern, use your cell network if you don’t have a VPN.
2. Ensure that your software is up to date
Patching out-of-date software is one of the most critical cyber security strategies for preventing ransomware on operating systems and apps.
Therefore, there is a need to remove basic vulnerabilities that cybercriminals use to hack your devices. To get a start, you can use the following quick tips:
· Keep your web browser updated
· Turn on automatic updates for the device in use and web browser.
3. Utilize Anti-Virus Protection and Firewall
Anti-virus protection software is the most preferred method to fight against malicious attacks. This software can block malicious viruses and malware from entering into your device and stealing your data. So, try to use anti-virus software from reliable vendors and use one AV protection tool on the device at a time.
Similarly, to protect your data from cyber attacks, using a firewall is essential. A firewall can protect your device by filtering out hackers, malware, and other dangerous online behavior and deciding incoming traffic.
Mac and Windows Firewall come with Windows and Mac OS X, respectively. However, to protect your network from threats, your router must include a firewall.
4. Make regular backups of your data
Most often, we don’t take regular backups of our data. Instead, the top IT and security executives follow the 3-2-1 backup guideline. In essence, you’ll retain three copies of your data on two separate types of media like local and external hard drives. Besides, you can consider one duplicate off-site.
If you’ve been infected with malware, the only method to get your data back is to wipe your systems and restore from a recent backup. Also, read out the biggest cybersecurity threat businesses facing today.
5. Create strong passwords
Strong passwords play an important role in internet security, as you’ve probably heard. Passwords are crucial in keeping cybercriminals away from your information. For best practices, you can consider:
· Get rid of the wacky combination of uppercase characters, numbers, and symbols. Instead, choose a user-friendly password that can be eight characters long but no more than 64 characters.
· Never use a similar password.
In case you forget your password, reset it. Moreover, consider a general refresh like alter it once a year. Also, consider using a password managing tool like LastPass FREE to make managing your passwords easier.
6. Use two factors Authentication
Undoubtedly, two-factor authentication is foolproof security to the traditional password technique of online identification. However, a two-factor authentication will ask you to provide another password, Personal Identification Code, or even your fingerprint as an extra authentication method. In addition, an SMS transmission should be avoided during this authentication process.
7. Regularly check your Credit Report and online accounts
Due to data breaches, it’s more crucial than ever for customers to protect their online accounts and credit reports. Right now, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the most efficient strategy to safeguard your personal credit information from cyber hackers is to place a credit freeze on your account.
It essentially allows you to lock your credit and use a PIN that only you will know. Then, when you need to apply for credit, you can use this PIN.
8. Avoid Transactions using free Wi-Fi
When using a hotspot or free Wi-Fi, for example, if you’re logging on at a café, you should be cautious about what you do online because these networks are frequently insecure. When a network is insecure, anyone can gain access to it and steal your information.
Conclusion
Today, hacking and malware attacks are the leading causes of security breaches. However, what’s more concerning is that these hacking attempts are increasing because of human error.
Therefore, in the battle against cybercrime and the prevention of security breaches, awareness and precautions are vital. In this regard, the article above provides you with cybersecurity tips to level up your data privacy game.
