As people increasingly store their information online, the need to secure all personal and business data is intensifying. For example, the global information security market is growing rapidly and is estimated to reach $170.4 billion by 2022. Today we’ll share with you some tips on how to be secure online and protect yourself from cybercrime
1. Use Strong Passwords
The most common way to protect your online identity is to focus on creating strong passwords. When creating a password, choose something that will not be easily cracked or decoded. Never use a word or number that someone can associate with you such as a first, middle, or last name, a spouse or child’s name, address, phone numbers, employers, or other identifying letters or numbers. Mix up the letters and numbers used in your password and use symbols and a combination of upper and lowercase numbers when possible in order to protect yourself from online security breaches. Additionally, it is important to never share your password with anyone. It might be necessary to change your passwords a few times each year.
2. Use a VPN, if it’s not prohibited
VPNs are useful tools to protect yourself as well as your personal and business data against fraud. This is especially important if you want to use the Internet safely when you connect to a Wi-Fi network from a public place. However, you should remember that there are some countries where using a VPN is prohibited. We strongly recommend you only use this tool in those countries where it is allowed.
3. Look for Encryption
Before making any sort of financial transaction online, look for signs that show whether the website is encrypted or not. To do this, look for two things: the trusted security lock symbols and the extra “s” at the end of http in the URL or web address bar. When you are on the page that’s asking for your credit card information, the “http” changes to “https” when it is a secure site. At the same time, a lock symbol will also appear on the right side of the address bar or at the bottom left of your browser window. These two signals show that the site is encrypted, which means nobody will be able to see information as it’s sent to the website owner. This keeps your name, phone number, address, credit card number and other sensitive information from being seen by anyone else.
4. Enable Two-Step Authentication
Also known as multi- or two-factor authentication or login approval – two-step verification provides an extra layer of security beyond your username and password to protect against account hijacking. When using this security mechanism, you will log in using your password and then be prompted verify your identity again. This second verification is usually done via a biometric (fingerprint or face scan), security keys or a unique one-time code through an app on your mobile device.
Many websites and companies offer two-step verification, and they make it easy to set up this second layer – usually found in the settings section of your account. Using two-step authentication can help you feel more secure, especially for sites containing your financial information.
5. Install Security Suites
Security suites are security programs that keep dishonest people and programs from infecting your computer and stealing information and data from you. This includes blocking harmful software such as spyware, viruses, and phishing scams that can be installed secretly when you are online. Some of the popular security suites include Norton Antivirus, McAfee Virus Protection, Ad-Aware Pro Security, and AVG Internet Security. Be sure to purchase and install one of these suites to protect your personal information online.
6. Turn on Web Browser Blacklisting
The lack of internet security is partially due to the internet browser being used. Many web browsers have additional security options such as blacklisting. This allows you to set the criteria for sites you will be navigating; only secure, trusted sites will be available to visit.
7. Don’t Save Financial Information on Shopping Sites
Even sites with SSL certification can be hacked. While there may not be a way yet to completely safeguard your data from hackers if you shop online, you can secure your financial information better by removing it altogether from shopping sites.
Many shopping sites let you save your credit card information in your online account. This setup makes it easier to make purchases in the future, as your billing and shipping addresses and credit card information are stored. However, if you can access this information, so can hackers. Rather than store your credit cards and addresses in your accounts, spend the extra minute to enter your information each time you make a purchase.
8. Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams use a variety of methods to obtain your personal information and steal your identity. There are many different phishing scams out there, but they can be avoided by educating yourself on how to recognize them. To avoid being the victim of a phishing scam never open emails or attachments when the sender is unknown and don’t click on unsecure links from strange emails. Additionally, avoid anyone offering money, unfamiliar job opportunities or requests for donations to charities as this might be a plot to obtain your personal information and online identity.
9. Get Private Data Protection
Another way to protect your online identity and sensitive information when sharing it online is to get private data protection. This type of security suite will protect any private data that is included in emails, private messenger programs, social media sites, or in various blogs. By employing a private data protection suite, you can further prevent hackers from gathering your personal information.
10. Password-Protect Your Wireless Router
A wireless router that accesses the internet at your home or business should always be password-protected. When you do not have a password on your wireless network, anyone in your range can use and access your internet, even a hacker. A hacker with experience committing cyber crimes will use this to their advantage and steal information from your computer while accessing your router. You should also enable the encryption feature on the wireless router, which scrambles any data you send online to further protect your sensitive data.
11. Hide Your Personal Information
It is possible to accidentally share your personal information with others if you don’t set up your web browser properly. Any time you get a new computer or download and install a new browser, you can first configure it. To do this, you will access the “set-up” option on the browser and choose to configure the browser so that it doesn’t reveal your name, email address or other information. Be sure to take this extra step when downloading or installing a browser to ensure your privacy and safety.
12. Enable Cookies on Your Web Browser Only When Required
Another option for setting up your browser to protect your online data is by enabling cookies only when required by a website. These cookies are details websites store on your computer, including information about what sites you visit and what you do there. Most of them keep the details to themselves, but this is also a way dishonest people get your information. You want cookies to be enabled, but to limit them only to websites that require it.
13. Protect Your Credit Card Info
Another option for setting up your browser to protect your online data is by enabling cookies only when required by a website. These cookies are details websites store on your computer, including information about what sites you visit and what you do there. Most of them keep the details to themselves, but this is also a way dishonest people get your information. You want cookies to be enabled, but to limit them only to websites that require it.
14. Check a Site’s SSL Certificate
Whenever you’re shopping online and entering credit card or bank information, it’s important to make sure that website is secured to protect against hackers trying to steal your info. You can find out if a website is secure by checking its SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certification. While this process sounds complicated, it’s actually one of the simplest and quickest things to do for your online security.
When on a website, check the URL. Does it start with “http://” or “https://”? If you notice an s at the end, that means your connection is encrypted and secure, so any data you enter is safely sent to the website. Not all sites have SSL certification. While they may be fine to browse, avoid sharing any financial or personal information on websites without this added layer of security.
15. Use your browser’s capabilities
Most browsers allow you to install a number of extensions to secure your online data. This is also important when considering how to protect your computers from spyware. There are different types of tools that can provide you with different security extensions, such as ad blockers, online security antivirus products, cookie cleaners, online data protectors, blacklistings, etc. Using them will be the most important part of protecting yourself while you are on the Internet. Also, don’t forget to check for up-to-date versions of your software as this will increase your chances of protecting yourself from violence.
Final thoughts
We have covered some simple and useful ways to protect yourself online. This has become absolutely essential in the digitized world where we all would like to have security and privacy on the Internet. Try to implement some of these tips for protecting yourself, and especially your high-risk bank account, online into your digital security routine to keep all your data safe.
