At least everyone nowadays is online to do business or interact with others via social media. With technological changes, innovation, and readily available internet, being online is much easier and cheaper than it used to be. So, how do you stay safe online? Online security doesn’t mean protecting your accounts and all, but it also includes securing your data from being used maliciously.
While there are many ways to stay safe online, you need to choose the best, most effective ways that won’t cost you much to guarantee your safety. Here are some effective methods.
Having New Passwords
Changing your passwords regularly is one way of securing your accounts and data online. Having poor or easy-to-guess passwords makes it easier for hackers and scammers to get into your accounts, steal information, or create other damage. It would help if you had different strong passwords for each account.
Most people fear having different, complicated passwords simply because they will forget them. But there are easy ways to remember passwords, including having a password manager. You can have password manager software that manages your passwords. Other than securing your password, these password managers also help you create stronger passwords for your online accounts and secure the passwords from being accessed or leaked to unauthorized persons.
Have Your Devices Updated
Using outdated devices or those with outdated software can make your online accounts vulnerable to attacks. Many companies do update their software and devices regularly to improve their stability and security features. Some of these updates come because developers have noticed hackers using updated means to access the tools. Unfortunately, many people tend to ignore these updates.
Failing to update your MFA security updates and software makes your phone or computer vulnerable to attacks. Whether it’s an app you are using or an operating system, you can allow security features to update automatically anytime there is an upgrade. By doing so, you will remain safe, and you will prevent most online attacks.
Choose What to Install
It would be best if you always researched the apps you want to install on your devices. Not all apps are genuine and safe. Some apps are used by hackers to access your information and corrupt your device. Other than choosing safe apps, always use secure browsers, and visit secured websites to avoid being targeted by scammers and cyber-attacks.
For the apps, before you install them, you need to read their reviews and check on complaints, threats, frauds, scams, and security features. You need to take your time and be sure of the app before clicking the installation button. Most modern browsers and app stores give warnings of harmful apps. Ensure you take the advice seriously.
Use Multi-factor Authentication
You probably have heard of multi-factor or two-way authentication when opening an app or login into an account. If you haven’t put this authentication into use, it’s high time you do so. Most social media and banking websites and apps have put this security feature into their client’s accounts, which allows them to confirm their accounts through a text message or a pop-up.
It enables you to control logins to your accounts through your main device, such as a smartphone. A good example of this is Facebook. When you enable two-factor authentication, you have to confirm the account via your smartphone or use the text message sent on your phone. This idea means that no one will access your account until you give them the authentication code.
Encrypt Your Data
Data encryption has been going on for a while now, and it prevents any stored or sent data from being accessed by an unauthorized person. You can encrypt your website, messages, emails, and even storage devices, both physical and cloud, to avoid hackers and other unauthorized people from accessing them.
How does it work? With encryption, data becomes unreadable until you provide a password or a security key provided by the document owner. It is more or less than a password to your phone or computer. This security is important to data in transit and prevents the data from being hijacked or accessed until it reaches the rightful owner.
Other security features you can incorporate in your devices to stay safe online include deleting unwanted apps and messages, avoiding public Wi-Fi, using a VPN, hiding your router’s SSIDs, and avoiding opening suspicious links. Day after day, online hackers, scammers, and fraudsters are coming up with sophisticated means to access your data, interfering with your online security. Ensure you also stay updated and follow the guidelines provided in this article to stay safe.
