Introduction
In the times we live in, more and more people are struggling to make their accounts more secure, protect their personal data, and better manage their privacy online, even though it’s increasingly difficult.
We constantly see headlines about cybercrime and identity theft. We are aware of victims ranging from ordinary people to small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, governments, and even entire countries. The examples are at every corner. This is mainly because we have transitioned to an age of cryptocurrencies and online transactions. Many individuals are drawn to decentralized finance and are looking for different ways how to withdraw crypto to a bank account, which is a perfect opportunity for an online scam to happen. Just as we guard our physical wallets, protecting our digital assets requires a strategic approach to online security.
This article aims to give you a comprehensive guide to cybersecurity, based on various statements from LegalShield, IDShield, and other trusted entities.
Understanding the Risks
Even if you know enough about online security to avoid using “password” as your password, it’s very likely that you’re making one or more of some other common mistakes that make your password information easily accessible.
It’s really shockingly easy for hackers to find basic personal data about you online, whether by “searching” social media accounts or paying for access to identity databases. So when creating passwords, don’t use your children’s birthdays, your wedding anniversary or your partner’s initials, experts advise.
Some of the common threats to your online identity include phishing attacks, malware and ransomware threats and data breaches, which can lead to reputational damage, financial loss, and even identity theft.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss what are the best practices on how to protect your online identity
How to protect your online identity
1. Creating Strong Passwords
Do not use the same password for all the sites you enter. The real danger of reusing your password is that you’re very likely to forget all the places you’ve used it. If you duplicate a password on 10 different websites and the weakest of those sites is hacked, you may not even be alerted to the breach. An account you haven’t used in years can be compromised to your detriment.
That is why specialists suggest not only using different passwords but also using secure and strong ones. You should consider including uppercase letters, symbols and numbers in your password while keeping the length above 10 characters.
Another option is using a password manager tool for managing your different passwords. This way you will only need to remember one strong password, rather than 20.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication, also referred to as 2FA, means two-step authentication. In other words, to get into your online profile you need to use two different independent proofs that it is really you and not some unauthorized user. In most cases, this is a combination of a password that you know and a code that you receive either by mail, or SMS.
2FA is a great way to upgrade your online privacy, especially for people using the same passwords. But what can happen if we do not use two-factor authentication? Let’s get back to the previous paragraph and assume you have been using the same password for all the websites you visit. If you do not have an active 2FA, you are prone to malicious hacker attacks which can lead to data leaks and in some cases, huge financial losses.
3. Safeguarding Financial Information
As we have already said, we live in a digital era. This means most of the information about our lives can most likely be put in the palm of our hands via a smartphone. But what happens if we lose our device? Did you know that losing a phone can lead to identity theft and financial losses? To avoid this, consider including the following technologies into your financial information:
- Data encryption;
- Multi-factor Authentication (MFA);
- Tokenization;
- Blockchain Technology;
- Cloud Computing;
4. Keeping Software Updated
Another fundamental pillar of your cybersecurity is keeping your software updated. Regular updates on your operation system, antivirus programs and all other applications you use, create a defensive layer against cyber attacks, because updates often include security patches and target discovered vulnerabilities in the software. Avoiding these updates can lead to unauthorized access to your personal information, as well as getting malicious software on your devices. The best practice to be sure you have strong digital security is to enable automatic updates.
5. Safe Browsing Practices
To be sure your data is in good hands, you have to always browse through HTTPS websites with SSL certificates. The HTTPS protocol allows site users to transmit sensitive information such as credit card numbers, banking information, and Internet login credentials safely. For this reason, HTTPS is especially important for securing online shopping, banking, and remote work.
Be careful when using public Wi-Fi, such as at a coffee shop or airport. Be careful about the information you transmit over the web. Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure and can be vulnerable to hacking and spying. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts, such as your bank or email, while using a public Wi-Fi network. A great countermeasure is to use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic.
And last, but definitely not least, be careful with the way you use social media. Social media platforms can be a great way to connect with other people, but it’s important to be careful about what you share online. Avoid posting sensitive information such as your full address, phone number or financial information. Be wary of friend requests from people you don’t know.
6. Email Security
Emails enable various cases of abuse on the Internet – hacker attacks, cybercriminals, spam, etc. Therefore, it is vital to be able to recognize dangerous attachments in your emails. Unfortunately, several file extensions could potentially run code on your device and thus install malware. As you might guess, hackers cover them up and make them harder to spot. Often dangerous file extensions are hidden in ZIP files and RAR archives. If you see one of these extensions in an attachment that doesn’t come from a recognized contact, you should treat it with suspicion.
The most dangerous file extension is EXE. These are Windows executables that are particularly dangerous because of their ability to disable your antivirus application. Other extensions include:
- JAR;
- BAT;
- MSI;
- CMD;
Phishing Emails are another malicious attempt to steal personal data. Usually, such E-mails come from a spoofed email address – or even a legitimate one that has fallen victim to an attack. To stay on the safer side, always follow these tips when you receive an odd E-mail:
- Look, but don’t click. Hover your mouse over any link that is part of the body of the letter and see the actual address of the link you’re going to. Do not click on the address, if it looks strange.
- Analyze the situation. A phishing email can also be sent from a real email address – which is even part of your contact list – but which has fallen victim to an attack and is used as a vector for infection.
- Try a fake password. If you are not sure whether the site is authentic, do not use your real username and password to log into your account. If you enter a fake password – and still the page says that you have successfully logged into your account, it is most likely a phishing site.
- Be careful with attached file If you open an attachment that asks you to enable an additional feature of Word, Adobe, etc. – this is most likely a file that will try to infect you with malicious code.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embracing cybersecurity is not much of a choice nowadays – it is a necessity in the world we live in. We have to keep in mind that every bit of the Internet keeps risks from small ones like digital pranks to serious crimes such as data leaks and financial drains. In this comprehensive guide, we have outlined the essential practices to upscale your defense against digital threats. By incorporating them into our daily digital routine, we not only significantly reduce the risks of becoming a victim of an online crime, but we also contribute to creating a safer digital space for everyone.
