People hear the term online security and think it involves super high tech and complicated processes. However, that is not always the case and actually, there are very simple ways that you can increase your understanding of online security. We are living in a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on the online realm and so it is important that you do what you can to protect yourself in the cybersecurity realm.
Here are 8 simple and doable ways that you can improve your online security.
1.Install Antivirus And Keep It Updated
One of the easiest ways to keep your computer and online security protected is to install an Antivirus. The software acts to fend off computer viruses and protects you from a number of potential attacks, such as Trojan Horse attacks and Ransomware attacks. An effective antivirus will protect you against these kinds of malware.
However, you must use trustworthy software as your online security is not something you want to take chances with. It is worth investing a little extra money for better programs as it could save you a lot of money in future if you fall victim to a data breach. Additionally, you need to keep your antivirus updated so that it has the best chance possible to fight off any cyber threats.
2. Strengthen Your Passwords
This point is easy to put into practice and it just requires a tiny bit of effort for increased security and safety. Too often people use the same password for everything, time and time again. This is a very dangerous way to act online as if one of the places you have logged into has experienced a cyber attack. This means someone out there has access to your data and passwords, which they can either sell to other hackers or use to steal your data. So if you use one password for everything, suddenly the hackers will have access to everything you have ever signed up for.
It does not take much to use a few different passwords and to make the ones you do use strong. You can note down the different passwords in a little notebook or somewhere else safe so that you don’t have to remember the individual passwords. Try to use a mix of capital letters, lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. The more complex the password the more secure your online security will be.
3. Avoid Using The ‘Save Password’ Tool
This brings us nicely onto our next point which is to never use the ‘save password’ tool. We all know how tempting this is to do because it does make your life a lot easier and you don’t have to remember anything. However, this is not a safe way to store your passwords, and it leaves you vulnerable to hackers. For the little bit of extra effort it takes for you to type in your password this is entirely worth it for the increased security you will have.
4. Defend Your Cloud Data Against Misconfigurations
Backing up your data on the cloud is a great way to ensure the safety of your data. However, it is not as simple as popping your files up on the cloud and hoping for the best. You need to protect yourself against cloud misconfiguration otherwise you are making yourself vulnerable to hackers. Misconfigurations occur when a person does not use settings that are adequate to provide solid security for their cloud data.
It’s worth note that misconfigurations in the cloud are not rare occurrences, as research from Fugue found that every organization they surveyed had experienced a misconfiguration incident at some point in the past.
To keep your cloud data is all about using the right tools, for example, you might want to consider creating a secure configuration management program to monitor for any potential problems.
5. Avoid Using Public WiFi & Public Computers
As a rule of thumb, you should avoid using public WIFI networks and computers as you have no control over how secure they are. There is always potential that someone has interfered with the security before you access it and then you become vulnerable.
6. Use A VPN
An easy way to make your online security stronger is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This makes your internet activity more secure and protects your data, making it much more difficult for hackers to try and access your data transmissions.
7. Be Aware Of Phishing Scams
One of the simplest ways to stay safe online is to be clever about what you are clicking on. Clickbait comes in many forms and it is designed to trick you into clicking onto something that can compromise your online security. This is commonly done in phishing scams whereby a hacker sends out a link in an email hoping to trick you into giving them your credentials.
Alternatively, the link can direct you to a download page that uses malware to immediately infect your computer. Avoid clicking on links from emails or texts as these are more often than not an attempt to break your security. Similarly, if you get a message on social media with a link, even if it is from a friend do not click on it without clearing with them what it is. If something seems off with your friend, they might be the victim of a cybersecurity attack.
8. Clear Your Cache
In some ways, it is quite scary how much your browser’s cache knows about you. While it can be easy to ignore, saved cookies, searches and web history can all give away important personal details about yourself. It is very easy to delete browser cookies and search history, for most search engines, including Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge and Firefox, you have to press Ctrl+Shift+Del and this will bring up a window that lets you pick what searches you want to clear.
So there you have it, 8 simple and doable ways to help you improve your online security. This is something you should not ignore, and the sooner you act the safer your online presence will be.
