Personal data is everywhere these days – from online banking to social media, hackers can gain access to sensitive material. However, there are steps you can take to secure your data more. Here are a few strategies for keeping hackers and scammers at bay: 1. Encrypt devices
1. Keep Your Devices Updated
Devices and software constantly receive updates that include patches for security vulnerabilities. As cybercriminals seek ways to compromise devices and steal data, keeping your software up-to-date is one of the easiest ways to defend yourself against cyberattacks.
As soon as your device needs updating, make it a priority to install all available updates quickly. Alternatively, set it to automatically download updates whenever Wi-Fi becomes available – though beware that some software may no longer support updates; therefore, it may be wise to replace old devices or apps promptly after an upgrade has taken place. Keep a regular review of your apps, deleting those no longer used to reduce the potential attack surface for hackers.
2. Don’t Access Personal or Financial Data on Public Wi-Fi
As technology develops, your personal information has become an increasingly attractive target for hackers. Your bank account numbers, passwords and emails that you transmit over unprotected networks may easily be accessible by cybercriminals who wish to gain entry.
Public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels and coffee shops is vulnerable to hackers using man-in-the-middle attacks that intercept internet traffic in order to steal login credentials and personal data from internet users. By using a VPN and following these cybersecurity tips when accessing public Wi-Fi networks, you can protect sensitive financial transactions from cyberattacks and stay safer online. Be mindful when using public networks of turning off file sharing on all of your devices, as doing so allows the device to broadcast your folders and files to others on that network.
3. Only Download Apps from Trusted Sources
As much as possible, only download apps from reliable sources like Apple’s official App Store and Google Play for Android devices. Both software markets adhere to stringent security standards that will help prevent apps that could compromise your device from entering these markets.
Consider reviewing the permissions for any app you install on your phone or tablet before installing it. If it requires access to your camera and microphone, contacts, location services or in-app purchases, find another alternative. Other measures you can take to protect your privacy include using two-factor authentication on accounts that support it and using encryption when transmitting any sensitive data over the internet. Taking these steps will make it harder for hackers to gain access to both your personal data and money.
4. Lock Your Devices When You’re Not Using Them
Your computer, phone and tablet store a wealth of personal data you want to remain private, such as pictures and WhatsApp conversations that should remain untampered. Without password protection or PIN codes in place to secure this content, anyone could gain direct access to it directly; should your device get lost or stolen, hackers could gain entry and use it to gain entry to your accounts or steal your money.
All devices should be secured with password or facial recognition authentication to unlock them, and consider setting up a remote wipe for your phone so all data will be erased if lost or stolen; you can do this by signing in to your Google Account and selecting the “Erase data” option under Device Management to restore factory settings on it.
5. Install Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Antivirus software is an essential defense mechanism against malware that threatens to infiltrate and breach your device and take control of data, system resources, or cause other damage. Antivirus can detect and eliminate viruses, spyware, ransomware, backdoors, phishing attacks and other cyberthreats such as keyloggers that track keyboard use or steal files and take hostage your personal information.
Viruses and malware often take the form of emails, tweets, posts, online ads, messages or attachments that appear from sources you trust. Regularly installing and updating Microsoft Defender can help protect you against viruses that could damage your system or give criminals access to personal data or money. Additionally, Windows SmartScreen may help block non-recognized apps that might be unsafe, and applying special security patches can automatically close potential vulnerabilities.
6. Don’t Click on Unusual Links or Attachments
When it comes to cybersecurity training, one of the more often repeated tips is “never click on links in email.” Although this advice may sound sound, many phishing scams use cleverly disguised schemes that may fool unwary users.
Hackers and scammers utilise phishing techniques to obtain sensitive data such as passwords and credit card numbers, infect devices with malware and cause havoc during major events like hurricanes or Olympic Games when people may feel pressured into acting quickly. This practice is particularly dangerous during major crises when individuals feel under immense stress. Be wary of any links or attachments found in emails, tweets, posts, online ads and messages sent from people you know – including friends or colleagues you trust. A quick way to determine this is by hovering your mouse over any hyperlink and seeing if its actual content matches up with what was promised in its title.
7. Don’t Open Suspicious Emails
Whenever an email contains a hyperlink or attachment you were not expecting from someone unfamiliar, do not click. These could contain malware or lead to fake websites designed to steal login credentials. Instead, hover your mouse over the hyperlink to see if its true URL displays itself.
Hackers most frequently use email scams to obtain personal information. To combat them, ensure you use only secure connections when possible and avoid public Wi-Fi if at all possible, create strong passwords, update software regularly, close accounts that no longer apply and close accounts you no longer use; this reduces cyber criminals’ target pool while decreasing your likelihood of experiencing data breaches; multiple layers of protection like a password manager and multi-factor authentication can also provide extra layers of defence.
