As fun as it is to use the internet, it is also crucial for you to keep yourself safe on it, too. Just like there are robbers in real life that scare you to death, there are also some on the internet. These robbers are commonly called “cybercriminals.”
The ideal way to protect yourself from these cyber criminals is by paying close attention to keeping your data safe. There are many ways to keep your data safe. Some are fairly simple, while others have some intricate technicalities. Here are some ways you can keep your data safe on the internet.
Come Up With Strong Passwords
First, you should come up with passwords that are impossible for other people to guess. Most people tend to keep passwords that are easy to guess. For instance, a sequential number pattern, such as 12345678, makes a password easy to guess.
Make sure you use a unique set of alphabets and symbols to create a difficult password. Not only that, but you should also ensure that you don’t use one password for multiple platforms. This way, if one password is breached, you wouldn’t risk other accounts getting hacked.
Encrypt Your Data
Encryption is like setting up a virtual lock for your data. It protects your data, and you only have the key to open it (through decryption). For example, you can encrypt your emails through online plug-ins to keep your sensitive data safe.
An example is GPG for Mail, a plug-in for Apple Mail that makes it easier to encrypt, decrypt, sign, and verify all your emails. You can look up encryption plug-ins on the internet to keep most of your data encrypted. Some apps come with a built-in encryption feature. For instance, WhatsApp allows you to encrypt your chats so that no one can intercept them.
Reconfirm Before Sharing Information
You must have seen how businesses ask for your information before proceeding with the transaction. However, you should always check for the legitimacy of the request before you share information.
By law, companies are only allowed to ask for information that is crucial for them to conduct business—nothing more than that. If you feel that something is out of the ordinary, then you should definitely contact the business and ask why they are asking for such information.
Pro Tip: Even when using your favorite social media apps, such as Facebook, always make sure that your information is set to be visible to your friends and family only.
Stay Safe While Using a Public Wi-Fi Network
While a public Wi-Fi network is convenient for you while you are on the go, it can also be a nuisance if you are not safe enough. That is because public Wi-Fi networks lack the safety protocols you will find in your home network.
It is advised not to log in to important applications, such as banking apps, while on a public Wi-Fi network. Similarly, you should also avoid sending sensitive information. There are potential hackers on the same network, and they can monitor your computer to extract essential information from it. You should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on a public network to ensure anonymity.
Don’t Trust Links and Attachments You Don’t Recognize
When you are using the internet, you are at a constant risk of falling prey to what is known as a phishing attack. In this type of cyberattack, hackers create a link that redirects you to a believable login page.
Once you enter your login details in the tabs, your credentials are sent to the hacker, who can now access your account. Phishing scams are usually done under the themes of emails from banks, corporate offices, or utility companies. Therefore, you must analyze a link before you even click on it. This way, you can save yourself from a phishing attack.
Create a Backup of Your Data
If you run an online business, you are very likely to be victimized by ransomware. In this type of cyberattack, a hacker gains access to your computer and encrypts all your important data, deeming it useless to you unless you pay a ransom.
In such cases, it is recommended that you back up all of your data on a cloud storage service, such as Google Drive, or purchase external SSD drives to store it. Even if you become a victim of a ransomware attack, you will still have all of your data safe in one place.
An Extra Pointer
If you want to maximize your internet security, you may opt to invest in a secure internet connection and a good router. For instance, Spectrum Internet has an integrated firewall that can block out links that can harm your devices. So, it would be wise to look into Spectrum Internet packages!
Similarly, you should also get a router that supports the WPA3 security protocol, which helps ensure a high degree of security while using the Internet.
Published by: Holy Minoza