This article will address the topic ‘How to secure your digital information out on the Internet?’
Digital security is very important in the current times. It is equally important for both businesses and consumers. We go online every day and provide our personal information on various websites. It is imperative that this information remains safe.
Digital security is basically a means to protect your computer, mobile phones, or other Internet-connected devices from any kind of hacking, cybercrime, or phishing. It is used to protect confidential information from getting leaked and being misused.
There are various ways to protect this information which will be looked upon further in the article. If you are a cyber-security enthusiast, you can easily learn it through various online courses. Popular courses like PGP cyber security and cyber security course review are available online, which will help you understand cyber security.
Here are some ways by which you can secure your digital information:
Use strong passwords
One of the most common ways to protect your online identity is to use strong passwords for your accounts. Don’t create passwords that contain your first/last name, your birth date, or your address. Such passwords can be easily cracked and decoded. Mix up numbers, letters, symbols, upper and lowercase characters to create a strong password. This will protect your password from any security breaches. Also, don’t share your passwords with anyone. Remember to change your password a few times a year.
Using proxies to secure your IP
Our IP address contains a lot of information about our network. If a hacker gets his hands on your IP, then your network might be compromised. This is where proxies come into play. Residential proxies mask your IP and maintain anonymity while you’re browning the internet.
Install an Antivirus on your system
Download an effective antivirus software on your system and keep it updated. They identify and protect your system from any kinds of viruses and malware like trojan horses, adware, spyware, data theft etc. It will protect your system from any third party attacks and safeguard your data.
Look for encryption
Whenever you make any financial transaction make sure that the website you are using is encrypted, a trusted website will show a lock sign in the address bar when you make the payment. Also, the HTTP in the URL will change to HTTPS. This indicates that the website is encrypted and your personal information is safe.
Avoid using public storage for personal information
Be as safe as possible. Don’t save your personal information on public storage services, like dropbox. Avoid using these platforms for saving information like passport copies, passwords, and other confidential information.
Use VPN
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one way to protect your privacy in this digital age. No one can track your online activities when you use VPN. All your information is known to your ISP because of your IP address. When you change your IP address, you can mask your identity.
Be careful while opening attachments and links in emails
Phishing is one of the most common ways to steal someone’s personal information. Fraudsters often attempt to do so by sending fake mails by the name of reputed companies. Be careful when you download any attachments or open any links.
Be careful while using public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient but is a huge threat to privacy. Hacking via public Wi-Fi is pretty common and easy. Anyone can access your personal information from your device. Using a VPN can protect you from such attacks.
Turn off location services
Several apps use your location in the background. Governments, hackers and organisations can access your location through various apps that you download on your device. Make sure that you switch off the location services for any unnecessary apps to avoid any kind of spying activities.
Backup your data
It is very important to have copies of your personal/confidential information. In any case, if your data is lost or stolen, you can immediately report and use your existing passwords to login and change them. This is also important so that you don’t lose your data.
Secure your wireless network at home or at work
Always secure your wireless network at your workplace and home with a strong password. This prevents unauthorised individuals from accessing and hijacking your network. You can also share your private information securely with a protected network.
Practice the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)
Don’t log into a computer with administrator rights. It leaves your device vulnerable to security risks. Don’t visit unfamiliar internet sites. Limit the number of people who have access to your accounts. Don’t unnecessarily log into foreign devices.
Conclusion
Cyber security is very important to protect and safeguard your personal information or data. By running daily cyber security checks, you can protect your data from cybercriminals. Due to global connectivity, sensitive data is at a higher risk.
Due to the advent of 5G network services, it has become easier to automate cyber-attacks. With cyber security threats on the rise, new laws are being made to protect consumers and businesses from potential attacks. Citizens need to be aware of such threats and must take adequate steps to protect themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is cyber security?
Cyber security is the process of protecting your device, systems and programs from any kind of cyber-attacks. It protects your personal information from getting leaked and misused. It is also referred to as information technology security.
What is the importance of cyber security?
In the current times, everyone has become more technologically reliant. We tend to share a lot of personal information online. Data leaks may result in identity theft and leakage of confidential information. Thus, to safeguard such data, cyber security is essential.