Data is one of the precious things you generate every time you go online. Sadly, in some cases, this information ends up leaking. As a result, almost anyone can see your passwords or steal your bank information. All this might happen because companies fail to protect your data. However, in some cases, users are the ones at fault due to their faulty habits online.
The Verizon Business Data Breach Investigations Report reveals that incidents of data breaches are rising every year. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent high-level data breaches. However, other forms of data theft have a more direct impact on you. For example, a ghastly Trojan attack stealing all your banking credentials, leaving you with nothing in your bank.
Luckily, you can prevent incidents that require your assistance. There are certain steps you can take to build your shield of defense. You can use just a bit of common sense to protect yourself online. Here are a few tips about being wise to keep yourself protected online.
Know the Security Tools You Have Installed
There are many handy settings and apps you can use to keep your online identity and devices protected. Of course, you need to know how to get all the benefits out of them. For this, you need to know the settings and features they come with.
Thus, you need to investigate every tool you choose to install. First of all, it is not enough to know its primary purpose. You should also be aware of its additional features. In other cases, you need to know how it handles personal data (if you provide it).
Install an Antivirus and Regularly Update It
Protecting your computer from viruses is just one of the many things that antivirus software does. Ransomware demands payment to restore your files after encrypting them. Trojan horse programs disguise themselves as valid programs and steal all your personal information. Again, bots reduce your computer to being robotic and launching denial-of-service attacks or release spam.
A strong antivirus protects you from all of this. While you can download an antivirus and let it work independently, you should take the trouble of checking it regularly. Look for the green icon turning red or yellow after opening the software and then follow the instructions to fix things.
Keep Your Passwords Unique for Every Login
You make things easier for hackers if you use the same batch of passwords for all your logins. They try out the same combinations for multiple logins to gain access to your data after they manage to steal your login details from a single source. Suppose the hackers manage to steal your username and password from your DMV details. If you were to use similar login details for, say, your bank account, the hackers would manage to steal those details as well by a simple realignment of the characters you have used for the DMV login.
Therefore, you must create unique passwords for each of your accounts. Using a password manager for creating strong and unique passwords is a wise thing to do.
Install a Virtual Private Network
You should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) every time you connect to the internet (especially when you are using public Wi-Fi). A VPN keeps you protected by building a shield of anonymity around you. It hides your IP address, making it impossible for hackers to track you on the internet. Your online identity is hidden in obscurity, which keeps you secure and protects your privacy.
The VPN sets up an encrypted connection between your device and the internet after routing it through their servers, helping you cover your tracks. It’s widely used by reporters and journalists to communicate securely in repressive societies and keep themselves shielded from the prying eyes of the authorities.
Conclusion
Cybercrime has been rising steadily over the years. Incidents of major data breaches are becoming more and more common. In such a scenario, you must keep yourself as protected as you can. Our tips on how to protect your data online shed light on raising your online security. It’s wise to know about the security tools you use thoroughly. Updating your antivirus is vital. Having the same username and password for multiple logins makes it easier for hackers to gain access to all of them by accessing the details of just one.
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