There’s no such thing as too much security, especially in the realm of cybersecurity. You’d want to go above and beyond to protect everything you have online. Even then, however, there are still some things that you cannot avoid entirely. The trouble with the internet is that it can be accessed by everyone, everywhere in the world, allowing them to download and use your software in any way they wish.
However, you shouldn’t be scared because there are always ways for you to protect your digital privacy. We’ll discuss some of them in this article, so read on below to get started.
#1 – Avoid Clicking Pop-Ups, Unknown Emails, and Sketchy Links
Pop-ups, spam emails, and spam messages are all the products of online criminals. Their goal is to get you to click a link inside their email and open up a window with malicious software inside.
You can avoid clicking on links in emails if you’re careful enough. You’ll want to look out for such things as misspellings, poor grammar, or even formatting errors. The email might also look like it’s not coming from a business and may even contain grammatical errors. The link may also look strange or out of place. Some spam emails will even give you a choice of clicking on a link or not. If you avoid clicking these, the scam artist will likely send you another email with a different link, hoping that you’ll click on it this time.
The best thing to do is delete the email entirely or simply unsubscribe from the email list.
#2 – Use Anti-Malware Software
Anti-malware software is the most popular of all the security measures. It will scan everything in your computer and check whether it’s clean or not. There are free options online, but you can also buy your own software, which you can use later down the line.
If you’re downloading or opening files, you want to ensure you’re only doing them through official channels. Torrenting is an excellent way to download files, but it may also infect your computer with viruses or advertisements.
#3 – Have a Strong Password
Your password is your first line of defence. You want to make sure it’s powerful and challenging to crack. It should contain a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers.
#4 – Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is recommended for anyone who has an account with a service that gives the option. Two-factor authentication is similar to two-step verification or two-step passcodes, except it’s a bit more advanced. It will require two forms of authentication when logging in, both of which are something you have. For example, you’ll need to enter your password, and you’ll also be required to enter an additional code sent to your phone. This is an excellent way to ensure that no one else can log in to your account but you. Even if someone were to gain access to your password, they wouldn’t be able to log in without access to your phone.
#5 – Always Connect to a Secure Wi-Fi
When possible, it’s better to connect to secure Wi-Fi. When you’re connected to a Wi-Fi with no password or a poorly secured Wi-Fi, you’re essentially giving anyone access to your network. If you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection, you’re essentially letting anyone in the room use it, which can provide them with access to your information.
#6 – Have Your Firewall Activated
You can map out the ports on your firewall to have more control over which programs have access to the internet and which do not. By adequately setting up your firewall, you can cut off access to the internet at the source, allowing you to shut down your system when you’re done using it. This way, you’ll be protected from any potential attacks while you aren’t using your computer.
The internet is a wild, dangerous place. Some people want to steal your information, read your private messages and steal your money. As a result, it’s up to you to take precautions where you can and to keep a sharp eye on anyone trying to take advantage of you. As long as you do your part in protecting your digital privacy, you’ll be just fine.
FraudWatch is a digital brand protection company that can help you with your cybersecurity needs. We understand how important safety is online, so our solutions will ensure that you have a worry-free experience in carrying out your tasks. Contact us today to learn more!