We are very sensitive about ensuring safety measures in our house and office room so that thief couldn’t get access; just like that in cyberspace we need extra protection to save our data/information either for personal or business purposes.
The term “cybersecurity” implies virtual protection from cyber threats/invasion into your browsing devices through a network such as laptop, desktop, tablet, smartphone, smart TV along with Internet service provider’s mainframe. There is no doubt that the virtual world has changed how we live in today’s world.
We are consuming online news, research, correspond through email, cell phone, personal websites, and social media which connect us to our loved ones. Virtual space has already occupied our businesses, shopping habits, and finances. The usage of this highly technical network is constantly creating an increased risk. So, cybersecurity tools like this are one of the most important tools in today’s time.
If we could just follow some easy, simple, and effective tips and tricks, it would make the intruders’ life much harder.
Table of Contents
Using a VPN
Using a VPN to access the internet provides an extra security shield. As VPNs enable to surf the internet anonymously along with the encryption capabilities on all of your data, hackers face a great challenge to track your computer. Good VPN providers send a security warning when users try to access a suspicious URL. Normally, all the information your device sends or receives is compiled into neat and readable data packets that make it too easy to access for just anyone. Just keep in mind that free VPNs won’t give you total security at all, many even sell your data, so always use paid, high ranking VPN providers seen on review sites like this.
Use TOR
Using The Onion Browser (TOR) gives you an extra layer of privacy. It works benchancing the queries your browser makes in three layers of encryption and bouncing them three times before they finally get to their intended server. So, you have to choose the compatible VPN services accordingly.
Security software
Malwares maybe present in suspicious sites but some malware also creep around in popular sites, social media sites. Spyware shift your personal information and data secretly without your notice. In order to pass this, install an anti-spyware program to defend your data being exposed laterally. Installing a Firewall will work as well, it is an undeniable protection shield from an untrusted external network (like the internet).
Use a secure internet browser
Every internet browser has its own safeguard and protocol. So users must take account of their working nature and select their internet browser. Researchers found that Google Chrome much provides security features than other browsers like firefox, internet explorer, etc.
Upgrade and update your operating system
Update your operating system because when operating systems find security threats, security algorithms quickly races to make an update to compete for these threats. It is at this time that hackers quickly move to exploit this weakness in the operating system. This is why it’s important to always use the latest version.
Protect your password
Illegal invasion and breaching your priceless data via breaking your pass code is an threat of its own. Hackers have developed sophisticated, automatic program that are capable to crack simple passwords in just a few minutes. In order to stay safe, the best is to use a different password in every website account you use especially for more sensitive accounts like social media or banking). When making a strong password, don’t use the obvious combination of (username) + (year of birth/current year) or series of numbers.
Encryption
In corporate world, large or medium entrepreneurs’ office working data, information, access controlling system should be under encrypted form. Encrypted data means it translated into different form or code, so that only people with access to a secret key or password can read it. Ensure encryption is part of corporate policy. Use strong encryption on WiFi (consider WPA2 or WPA3 with AES encryption).
Disaster Preparedness
This is all about security related disaster, the so-called force majeur of the internet. Make your organization a recovery plan and testing in place for intentional (Cyber hacker/corporate competitor)/unintentional disaster. Drilling routinely on tabletop exercises, simulations, live failover tests to tackle a disaster when it happens.
Education and Training
Various levels of Basic IT training, workshop, and simulation should be exercised among the employees of the organization. It must concede that we, humans are the weakest links in regard to information security. Training and workshops should be a regular aspect, such as detecting phishing emails, creating and maintaining strong passwords, avoiding potentially dangerous applications, insider threats. Definitely, it will not be an extra financial burden for the organization rather its potential investment to secure your organization.
Online Security Compliance
Compliance is a not a one done deal, this should be incorporated into continuous monitoring efforts to maintain compliance. Examples of these compliance standards may consist of NIST, FedRAMP, ISO27001, CMMC, PCI, and HIPAA. When these standards are met, cyber harmony is a reality.
Activation of Two-factor authentication
This is a safeguard for your confidential data against other people trying to overrun it. When your banking account is logging to other device than regular device, two factor authentication system will ask a verification code on your personal mobile. If the hacker doesn’t also have access to your phone or email, he’s going to be locked out of your account. Two-factor authentication also helps if someone tries to hack your account or manually guess your password.
Refrain from public Wi-Fi
Maintain online security secure by avoiding public Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi may be easy to enjoy yet it isn’t safe at all as you never know who could have set it up and what data are is actually being logged. HCyber hackers may have set up a faux Wi-Fi network generated with tools like Wi-Fi Pineapple with a clever name that may think the network you are connecting to is safe. One of the obvious ways would be to always use a VPN. However, a better option would be to avoid public Wi-Fi all together.
In conclusion, use appropriate, customized compatible security precautions and follow simple tips-tricks discussed above earlier for better and more efficient security.
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