With the increasing usefulness of modern technology – not to mention our growing reliance on that technology – cybersecurity has come to the forefront. Some people think that cybersecurity is only a concern for big corporations with a lot of data or governments protecting classified information. However, the average person also needs to be aware of cyber threats and how to protect themselves from those threats. This doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. Simply by being aware of cybersecurity threats and taking a few simple precautions, anyone can better protect themselves from becoming victims of cybercrime.
Update Passwords Regularly
The first line of defense against cybercrime is always having a good password. It’s also a good idea to change your passwords regularly so that nefarious characters can’t get a hold of them. This applies to virtually every online account you have set up. It’s particularly important for bank accounts and any other account where you conduct personal financial transactions. But updating your email password and any social media accounts is also necessary for cyber protection. Of course, when you update your password, you should choose a strong password that will be hard to guess but also one that you can remember. Consider using a passphrase that combines two or three words rather than a random collection of numbers and letters. Finally, whenever you change your password, make sure you select the option to log out on all other devices so that anybody who may have gained access no longer has access to that account.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi
One of the easiest things for a hacker to do is infiltrate your accounts when you use a public Wi-Fi network. These networks don’t have passwords and don’t have much security. Obviously, it’s convenient to use public wi-fi sometimes. There are occasions when you need it and don’t have much of a choice. But try to avoid accessing sensitive accounts like your bank account using public wi-fi. If you need to go to any site where your money is controlled or you can make purchases, try to wait until you are on a secure network that isn’t available to the public.
Don’t Open If You Don’t Trust the Source
One of the oldest tricks in the book for cybercriminals is to get someone to click on a link that’s actually spam or a phishing scheme. This can lead to computer viruses or give hackers access to your personal information. The best thing you can do is not click on anything or engage with someone you don’t know and trust. Don’t open a text in a link or email if you aren’t 100% sure who sent it to you. If you get a phone call from an unknown number claiming to be from a financial institution, don’t answer and google the number to confirm who it is before calling back. If you accidentally click on something you shouldn’t have, close out of it right away and never enter any personal information. The bottom line is to always be cautious and never assume you can trust someone you don’t know.
Use Trusted Gaming and Entertainment Sites
There are countless options online these days when it comes to games and entertainment. For instance, there are casinos online that are accessible from any computer or mobile device. There are countless sites where you can play classic or modern video games. Don’t forget all of the streaming sites where people find hours of entertainment. In each case, it’s important to use trusted and reputable platforms. If you use any of these sites, especially if you make a purchase, always make sure that there is a green padlock, and that the URL begins with ‘HTTPS’. The extra “S” means that the site is secure and that any information you enter will be encrypted and protected.
Update Software Regularly
Last but not least, updating the software on all of your devices is an important part of combating cybercrime. This should be something you do anyway to optimize performance on any computers and mobile devices. But software updates also help to fix any security flaws that have been identified, making it harder for cybercriminals to infiltrate your devices. If you turn on automatic updates on every device, you won’t even have to think about it. You should also be doing the same for any applications you use, especially web browsers. Those also need software updates to help combat cybercriminals. If you get to the point where your device can no longer update to the latest version, it might be time to get a new device because your old device will leave you increasingly vulnerable to cybercrime.
