Staying safe online can feel like an uphill struggle, and it requires regular intervention on your part. The new year is a good time to reassess your online activities and your cyber security processes to ensure you’re not at the mercy of hackers, thieves, and cybercriminals. Choose and update passwords, turn on biometric and two-factor authentication, check email sender details, and be vigilant about what you post online, to reduce the chances of having your data stolen.
We have a lot of different accounts today, most of which contain our personal data and many of which even include financial information. Use different passwords for every account, update them fairly regularly, and use a password generator for security and effortless password creation. Generators create random strings of characters that are impossible to guess and very difficult to hack.
Every device you own that connects to the Internet should have antivirus and antimalware protection. This even includes your smart home and Internet of Things devices. One way to protect all devices is to choose an effective router-based virtual private network that includes a suite of security tools. It also has the added benefit of opening up your devices to access geo-restricted content on streaming sites and services.
Your cyber security software is only as effective as its latest update. The security company identifies new vulnerabilities and releases patches that update the software to ensure you remain protected. Let your security software run regular updates. Similarly, you should also let your operating systems and other systems find and install the latest updates. Updates can be set to run at night or other times when you don’t need access to your devices.
Passwords, pins, and biometric authentication can provide multiple layers of security, but one that we sometimes ignore because it feels like a hassle is multi-factor authentication. When 2FA is enabled on your accounts, you can receive emails or text messages, or use an authenticator app, that provides you with a temporary password to log into that account. It is a highly secure method of authentication, and once it’s set up, it really isn’t that much hassle.
Public WiFi is meant as a convenience. It enables you to access emails, browse social media, or potentially even work, from your local coffee shop, library, public transport hub, or hotel. However, because they are public, they are not secure. You never really know who else is on the network or what they are doing. Don’t access your banking or financial accounts on public WiFi and try to avoid working on sensitive files.
A lot of cyber security is about being mindful. If you receive a link in an email, think about whether you trust the sender and whether the email really is genuine. As well as finding use in the fight against cyber crime, cybercriminals use AI to help formulate more realistic emails and these can catch you out. You should also be mindful about what you share on social media, especially if you have lists of friends or followers, or your profile is set to public. Even seemingly innocuous details like where you were born can provide thieves with answers to your security questions.
