As more and more businesses move online, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of cyber security threats. By taking some simple steps, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft, hacking or other cybercrimes. From using strong passwords to taking cyber security courses, this article will go some tips for keeping your personal information safe from cyber criminals and protecting yourself from cyber security threats.
Use Strong Passwords & Never Reuse Them
A strong password is your first line of defence against cyber criminals. Make sure your passwords are at least eight characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. While it can be taxing on your memory, it’s important to never reuse passwords across different accounts for different websites and apps. Fortunately, there are many password management applications that can remember all of your different passwords for you and store them safely and securely.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. With two-factor authentication, you’ll need to enter your password and a code that’s sent to your phone or email. This makes it much harder for criminals to access your account, even if they have your password. It’s crucial that you make sure you have access to whichever device you assign as the device which codes are sent to. Without it, you’ll likely be unable to log into your accounts.
Keep Your Software Up to Date
Hackers often exploit security vulnerabilities in outdated software. By keeping your software up to date, you can close these vulnerabilities and make it much harder for criminals to gain access to your system. You may need to scan through your software and take a critical look at which apps you’re actually using and which ones can be deleted. The fewer software applications you have installed, the lower the chances of a hacker exploiting vulnerabilities in your software.
Be Cautious About What You Click On
One of the most common ways criminals try to gain access to your system is through phishing emails. These are emails that look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as a bank or post office, but contain malicious links. If you click on one of these links, you could inadvertently download malware onto your computer. It’s important to be wary of emails that look suspicious, even those from your most trusted sources.
Take a Cyber Security Course
Cyber security courses typically cover a range of topics designed to help you protect yourself from cyber security threats. These topics can include how to identify and avoid phishing scams, how to create strong passwords, how to spot and report suspicious activity online, and how to keep your personal information safe. Students of cyber security courses can also apply the skills they learn to keeping their friends and family safe online as well.
Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for criminals to intercept and read your data. This is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, as it’s relatively easy for criminals to set up fake hotspots and steal your information. Most VPN services do charge a nominal fee, however, this cost may be justified depending on your needs and how much you wish to keep your personal information secure.