With its many advantages, it is easy to forget that the Internet still acts as a breeding ground for cyber criminals. With an increase in the number of online users, cyber security risks, data breaches, spread of malicious links and viruses has become more common than ever.
As a result, users should be alert and prepared to deal with these threats, hackers and viruses by strengthening their cyber security. Here are our most important tips on cyber security that will help you stay safe online.
Secure ISP
Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has access to all your information and activities and, in certain countries, ISPs have the right to sell your data to advertisers for their benefit. So, first and foremost, secure your ISP either by setting up a VPN, holding data protected by encrypted apps and websites, or by using a new ISP.
If you’re inclined to change your ISP, go to Spectrum High-Speed Internet Service with competitive rates for surfing, limitless local and long-distance calls, and enjoy free access to more than 125 HD channels and on-demand content. It will be your best choice to use Spectrum as a stable ISP that also provides a free Online Security Kit for all its users with all its plans.
Protect Your PII
PII is your Personal Identifying Information, which contains all your personal information, such as your name, phone number, location details, mailing address, IP address, social security number and all other digital identification data. PII is used by cyber criminals to identify individuals and their location. This poses a huge risk to privacy, so you should be vigilant about the details you share with the online world. Secure your PII by:
- encrypting your data
- using two-factor or multi-factor authentication
- deleting old PII you no longer need
- reviewing your social media privacy settings
- not oversharing your personal information across social media platforms
Downloading antivirus and firewall applications
Antivirus software and firewall software are two of the most effective ways to secure your device and network. Antivirus software protects your device by detecting and eliminating malware and a wide range of threats and malicious software such as Trojan horses, browser hijackers, keyloggers, spyware, adware, ransomware and more.
Firewall software defends your computer from cyber attacks that occur over the internet, such as unauthorized network traffic, hackers and other cyber criminals, malicious software or users attempting to access your device or network over the internet, and so on. Use this app on your device and router, but make sure you install it from trusted sources only.
Backup Your Data
Failing to back up the data also may be the most lazy way to possibly lose it. Space these days doesn’t cost a lot, and backup just takes a little of your time, so you’re not excused for not acting to back up your records. Backing your data is vital so that you can recover it if the hackers encrypt or delete your data.
Store backup data at various offline locations or places that are not open to unauthorized devices, users or hackers. Often, ensure that the data is backed up specifically and that the process of data restoration works smoothly.
Manage Your Digital Footprint
Periodically check all your online accounts and the information contained in them, such as credit card numbers, bank account data, address and email, to inspect any suspicious activity. Keeping track of your digital footprint also involves monitoring all of your social media profiles, the information and images you post, and deactivating inactive profiles. It is also recommended that you change the passwords of your accounts and your computer from time to time to ensure that your password is secure.
Stay up to date
It is important to monitor software and security applications to keep them up to date. Software fixes will be alerted if there is a possible security flaw and if you do not act on such software patches, you will cause malicious users and unauthorized users to access your device. Being annoyed with software update prompts is the lesser of the two evils when considering the risk of compromising your data if you don’t update all your systems frequently.
Track the network
It is necessary to enforce a robust action plan to track your network on a regular basis. It will detect any suspicious behavior that may lead to vulnerabilities. It’s best if you use the Security Operations Center to track and analyze your device and network operations. Using penetration checks, perform vulnerability assessments and use protective mechanisms to track, prevent and counter invasions or unauthorized access.
Set up solid passwords
A strong password is vital to your online protection and to prevent hackers from breaching your data. To make your passwords safe and secure:
- Use at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one or two numbers and a few symbols, never set the same password for all of your apps.
- Choose a password that’s easy to remember, but still bear in mind if you forget to make sure those clues are safe from the public or hackers.
- Edit your password once a year and, if you forget, reset it.
Use and safely connect your computers
Stop using other people’s computers as far as possible and, if so, never share your credential. Seek to restrict other people’s access to your computer. This is the most important safety advice that many can not follow through. Our cell phones are the focus for several malware incidents if we don’t use them and connect them safely. Password-protect all your files, never connect your computer to unsecured networks, keep it up-to-date, install software from trusted sources, avoid text-based PIIs, and perform daily backups.
Create an Action Plan for Cyber Assault
Actively learn from your previous cyber threat experience and develop a solid, robust cyber-attack action plan. Your action plan will provide solutions to issues that have not materialized. Invest in a program or team that frequently checks your information security ability, implements measures that improve processes to reduce unintended information-attack risks, and finally has an appropriate recovery strategy in the event of security violations.
