Cyber security, Professional Tips

Tips on Personal Cyber Security

With the growing penetration of the internet across the world, the threat of cyber attacks and compromise is always available. Cybercriminals may not only target the rich or deep pocket but may simply employ automation tactics that exploit weaknesses in systems, devices, and cyber defenses. Here are top tips and strategies that can prevent you from being an easy target.

Tips on Personal Cyber Security

1. Keep Your Software Up to Date

Ransomware attacks have so far been a major attack vector for both businesses and consumers. One of the most important cyber security tips to mitigate ransomware is patching outdated software, both operating systems, and applications. This helps remove critical vulnerabilities that hackers use to access your devices. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

  • Turn on automatic system updates for your device
  • Make sure your desktop web browser uses automatic security updates
  • Keep your web browser plugins like Flash, Java, etc. updated

 

2. Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewall

Anti-virus (AV) protection software has been the most prevalent solution to fight malicious attacks. AV software blocks malware and other malicious viruses from entering your device and compromising your data. Use anti-virus software from trusted vendors and only run one AV tool on your device.

Using a firewall is also important when defending your data against malicious attacks. A firewall helps screen out hackers, viruses, and other malicious activity that occurs over the Internet and determines what traffic is allowed to enter your device. Windows and Mac OS X come with their respective firewalls, aptly named Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall. Your router should also have a firewall built in to prevent attacks on your network.

3. Use Strong Passwords & Use a Password Management Tool

Strong passwords are critical to online security. While passwords are important in keeping hackers out of your data, you should consider:

  • Dropping the crazy, complex mixture of upper case letters, symbols, and numbers. Instead, opt for something more user-friendly but with at least eight characters and a maximum length of 64 characters.
  • Don’t use the same password twice.
  • The password should contain at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number, and four symbols but not the following &%#@_.
    • Choose something that is easy to remember and never leave a password hint out in the open or make it publicly available for hackers to see

Reset your password when you forget it. But, change it once per year as a general refresh- this one is optional or not so necessary, as long as you’re able to remember your password.If you want to make it easier to manage your passwords, try using a password management tool or password account vault. when it comes to password management, Google’s password management system on devices is also very useful.

See also  7 Things to know as a first-time blogger

4. Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication

Two-factor or multi-factor authentication is a service that adds additional layers of security to the standard password method of online identification. Without two-factor authentication, you would normally enter a username and password. But, with two-factor, you would be prompted to enter one additional authentication method such as a Personal Identification Code, another password, or even a fingerprint. With multi-factor authentication, you would be prompted to enter more than two additional authentication methods after entering your username and password.

two-factor-authentication-phone.png

 

5. Learn about Phishing Scams – be very suspicious of emails, phone calls, and flyers

In a phishing scheme attempt, the attacker poses as someone or something the sender is not to trick the recipient into divulging credentials, clicking a malicious link, or opening an attachment that infects the user’s system with malware, trojan, or zero-day vulnerability exploit. This often leads to a ransomware attack. In fact, 90% of ransomware attacks originate from phishing attempts.

A few important cyber security tips to remember about phishing schemes include:

  1. Bottom line – Don’t open email from people you don’t know
  2. Know which links are safe and which are not – hover over a link to discover where it directs to
  3. Be suspicious of the emails sent to you in general – look and see where they came from and if there are grammatical errors
  4. Malicious links can come from friends who have been infected too. So, be extra careful!

 

6. Protect Your Sensitive Personal Identifiable Information (PII)

Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is any information that can be used by a cybercriminal to identify or locate an individual. PII includes information such as name, address, phone number, data of birth, Social Security Number, IP address, location details, or any other physical or digital identity data.

In the new “always-on” world of social media, you should be very cautious about the information you include online. It is recommended that you only show the very minimum about yourself on social media. Consider reviewing your privacy settings across all your social media accounts. Adding your home address, birth date, or any other PII information will dramatically increase your risk of a security breach. Hackers use this information to their advantage!

See also  Things You Need To Know About Web3 and the Metaverse

 

7. Use Your Mobile Devices Securely

According to recent statistics, individual mobile devices are now targets to more than 1.5 million new incidents of mobile malware. Here are some quick tips for mobile device security:

  1. Create a Difficult Mobile Passcode – Not Your Birthdate or Bank PIN
  2. Install Apps from Trusted Sources
  3. Keep Your Device Updated – Hackers Use Vulnerabilities in Unpatched Older Operating Systems
  4. Avoid sending PII or sensitive information over text message or email
  5. Leverage Find My iPhone or the Android Device Manager to prevent loss or theft
  6. Perform regular mobile backups using iCloud or Enabling Backup & Sync from Android

Top New Threats in Mobile Security

 

Top Mobile Security Threats.png

 

8. Backup Your Data Regularly

Regularly tidying up one’s data is an overlooked step in personal online security. The top IT and security managers follow a simple rule called the 3-2-1 backup rule. Most importantly, you will keep three copies of your data on two different types of media (local and external hard drives) and one copy in an off-site location (cloud storage/Google Drive).

The only way to restore your data if you become a victim of ransomware or malware is to erase your systems and restore them with a recently performed backup.

9. Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi

Don’t use public Wi-Fi without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By using VPN software, the traffic between your device and the VPN server is encrypted. This means it’s much more difficult for a cybercriminal to obtain access to your data on your device. If you don’t have a VPN when security is important, you can also use your cell network.

10. Review Your Online Accounts & Credit Reports Regularly for Changes

It’s more important than ever for consumers to safeguard their online accounts and monitor their credit reports. A credit freeze is the most effective way for you to protect your personal credit information from cyber criminals right now. Essentially, it allows you to lock your credit and use a personal identification number (PIN) that only you will know. This PIN can only then be used when you need to apply for credit.

                  Hacking, phishing, and malware incidents are becoming the number one cause of security breaches today. But, what’s more troubling, these hacking attempts are the result of human errors in some way. Education and awareness are critically important in the fight against cybercriminal activity and preventing security breaches.

Top Causes of Security Breaches CIPHER.png