Every day we hear that another account has been hacked. We lead an intense digital life and all too often forget about safety, which each of us should worry about without excuses. If any email account or social media profile has value in the marketplace, then cybercriminals will attack regularly and get their way with ease if you are careless and naive. But hackers do not always target only the "big fish": even if you are not a celebrity, you can still be of interest, or rather your data. For example, to steal all funds from your bank card or invade your privacy: they may start sending spam to your friends via email and social networks, trying to steal even more information, and this does not bode well for your reputation.
Unfortunately, there is only one dead way to avoid being hacked - never go online, but you can take basic steps to avoid situations like this as much as possible.
1. Update Your Operating System
Stay up to date with the latest fixes recommended by the OS vendor and regularly install the latest updates on your computer and smartphone to protect against new malware. Consider this as the basic principle of information security.
2. Use a Password Manager and Two-factor Authentication
Use a strong password manager to change your online password to a strong and unique one. But that's not enough: Today hackers use a tactic called credential filling, whereby they drive previously stolen usernames and passwords into as many online services as possible. Why? Because many usernames and passwords are the same for different accounts. It can take a while to create a unique password for each of your online services, but it's worth the risk. When you set passwords for your accounts, also set up two-factor authentication (2FA) as an added layer of security for accounts that offer it. This is especially important to prevent unauthorized password resets.
3. Check All Applications
It is worth re-checking all applications/games for which you have given permission on social networks and remove access to those that you do not use. In many cases, the access door for account intrusions occurs through these applications, exploiting a security vulnerability.
4. Choose a Safe Browser
Browsers have various security and privacy settings: most of them give you the ability to restrict the tracking of your movements between websites, but nothing more. For example, a good solution for data protection would be to install the Mozilla Firefox browser, since it has important extensions:
- NoScript: This program prevents "scripts" such as JavaScript, Java, Flash, Silverlight, and others from running by default. Hackers prefer these programs to take over your computer despite the best efforts of their developers to protect them. For example, Java has been responsible for a large number of malware attacks on unsuspecting users' computers. Similarly, Flash has been largely superseded by HTML5, which is considered more secure. Some browsers automatically block Flash content as a security measure.
- HTTPS Everywhere: This browser extension ensures that you use encrypted connections whenever possible. The program facilitates the confidentiality of your usernames, passwords, and browsing history.
5. Create Regular Backups
Use a double strategy to keep your data safe by combining an encrypted external hard drive with an online backup service. Windows BitLocker and Apple FileVault allow users to easily encrypt data, and several third-party cloud backup services exist.
6. Don't Click on Suspicious Links
In many cases, cybercriminals use shortened links or change any nature of the link to another that visually appears the same, but leads to an illegal site. When you click on them, a virus, Trojan, or spyware can infiltrate your devices and provide them with a gateway for your accounts. Install free antivirus and never download attachments from unknown senders. Also one of the most famous phishing emails is a fake password reset (for example, "Your account has been hacked! Click here to reset your username and password.")
7. Do Not Use Public Wi-Fi or Public Computers
When you are traveling or not at home, if possible, use the Internet only through your computer or mobile device with VPN enabled, of course. For example, public computers in hotels are available to other people, who can place keyloggers or other malware on them that might haunt you. Delay online payments or logging into personal accounts until you are on your secure home network. But you don't have to stop there: on the configuration page of your router, you will find the option to hide its SSID - that is, the name of your wireless network so that it cannot be detected and connected to it.
The above list is not exhaustive, but if you are just starting your quest to make your online presence more reliable and protect yourself from hackers, then these tips are the best place to start. Security is not something you can set and forget: these measures need to be reviewed or reapplied from time to time.
This practice will prevent cybercriminals from taking over your valuable data and will allow you to worry less about the reliability of your cyberspace business. What other online security measures are you using?
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