Cyberspace represents a complex environment consisting of a network of hardware, software, data, systems, services, business, people, and communication. The Internet has become an integral part of everyday life, connecting many things.
Despite its many benefits and great potential, the Internet leaves room for malicious activities – some of which have led to large financial ones in recent years and even the destruction of property and loss of life.
It also increases the risks to the economy, human freedom, and security: from possible attacks on the Internet infrastructure, thus disabling all cyberspace services, including the financial sector and critical infrastructures such as the electricity grid or plumbing, to the interception of information and communications and the misuse of private and secret.
In the future, the risks could reach the limit of social acceptability and jeopardize confidence in the entire cyberspace and shake up the social contract itself. In this post, we will look at six ways to upgrade your cybersecurity while browsing.
1. Always use strong passwords
What is a strong, quality password? This term means a series of letters, numbers, and characters made so that there is a high probability that the fastest machine will not be able to hit it within a reasonable period. On the other hand, a strong password is also through letters, numbers, and signs that even a person who knows us best would not be able to guess in a reasonable course of time.
When creating a password, you must pay attention to:
- Complexity – a sufficiently complex password is one that neither a computer nor a person can guess from a small number of attempts.
- Uniqueness – do not use phrases or strings of words that form common expressions in general use
Password secrecy is not and cannot be unique to every user. Each of us uses computers and the Internet in different ways and at different levels of risk.
Enabling double authentication when logging in and searching the web is extremely helpful. You can confirm the confirmation via SMS or PIN code. This way of increasing security is just another type of security against unwanted events with hackers.
2. Use a password manager to remember strong passwords
One of the security tips on the Internet is to use a password manager for your security. These programs will create strong passwords for you, and you will not have to remember them. The master password is the only one you will keep in your head. A password manager is an ideal solution. Very easy to use Google Chrome. The setup options are very simple. You won’t have a problem searching.
Password Manager includes a random password generator and allows you to store unlimited logins, notes, and cards in an encrypted vault available for as many devices as you want. Provides a feature that scans your saved accounts and sends alerts when a security breach occurs on any of them. Early detection of hacking a website or e-merchant and updating credentials can ease your mind and prevent potential headaches.
3. Get a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is an essential layer of protection based on browsing software that creates a private network between you, the websites you visit, and all the wireless devices you connect to. While using a VPN does not guarantee absolute privacy, it mostly works by blinding your ISP for the websites you visit and blinding websites for your IP address. And it’s critical if you’re on a public Wi-Fi network and anyone could potentially spy on you. You are only one step ahead of potential attackers by using VPN, and your cybersecurity will be completely secure.
4. Routine security scanning
News of computer espionage attacks and theft of vital information about people, companies, agencies, and even states appear daily. One of the characteristics of cyber espionage attacks is that it is very difficult for them to track down and obtain the “true” origin from which each of them originates.
Cybercriminals aim to get money through the goals they have to achieve. That is why penetration testing is becoming more important. There are no systems that cannot be attacked. You always have to be careful. Keep your payment cards and bank accounts. Use double protection if necessary. There are various ways in which cybercriminals want to access your data and information, and one of them is phishing.
Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering where the victim usually receives an email with a link that, at first glance, has the address of a known site, but the link address is unusual or differs slightly. The email usually asks you to log in by signing up your username and password urgently, stating, e.g., that it has been noticed on your unauthorized account activity, that you must update your account information; otherwise, it will be locked, etc. The second link leads to a completely different site with an identical homepage look and forms entry of sensitive data (username, password, credit card number) and a regular site, where the victim enters background data.
The name phishing is a variation of the word fishing because phishing emails are usually sent to many addresses as bait that some users get caught, and some do not.
5. Regular Software Updates
It’s not uncommon for software or OS to have a weak point, and hackers will try to exploit those issues and flaws. These shortcomings are called vulnerabilities.
To improve their products, software developers detect vulnerabilities and release patches. New product versions, i.e., updates, are the way patches are distributed to software users.
Leaks can also be detected by security companies, researchers, or users. If the “good guys” discover the vulnerability, the practice is to keep it a secret until a patch is made.
It is not uncommon for hackers to detect vulnerabilities before software vendors.
Hackers exploit vulnerabilities, and with one wrong move, you can install infected software, and your computer or the entire system will be affected.
Update means applying available enhancements and bug fixes to operating systems and applications such as browsers, add-ons, desktop applications, and more.
In addition to resolving vulnerabilities, it brings several updates and enhancements to your computer, such as new options, removing obsolete options, updating drivers, and debugging. So updates are very important. They lead to software improvements as well as repairs.
You do not have a weak point with the update, and you are safe when searching on the Internet. Follow the instructions, and you have nothing to worry about.
6. Careful while posting personal information online
Protect your personal information. The function of the Internet is to make our lives easier in as many aspects as possible. Still, there are also different ways for hackers to try and steal your data, like malware, viruses, and one that is becoming more and more popular, phishing attacks. We can finish more and more jobs online (paying bills online, sending reports, applying for a job, contacting clients and friends), and it saves us time and resources, which is not negligible. But just as when withdrawing money at an ATM, you will not allow everyone to see your password, so you should not publish your data (ID number, bank account, or similar) everywhere but only on sites that you know are reliable.
If you use private information on a computer that is not yours, do not use the “remember” option. Try not to tell anyone your access password and use the logout option when leaving a site so that no one can use your account. If you are in an internet cafe, do not let anyone see your password or data that can be misused.
Be careful who and what you talk about. Internet communities, chat rooms, etc., are becoming more frequent, which for many represent the greatest “consumer of time.” When we meet in one of these places, we meet the people we talk to and directly share information that we do not think can harm us. Suppose you are active on any similar network. In that case, you should know that by simply chatting, you are giving away personal information about yourself that others can use, so in that sense, pay attention to what you are talking about. Take care of your cybersecurity, be careful at all times. Use the necessary tips and instructions.
