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| Master Your Online Safety: Protect Accounts, Privacy & Avoid Hackers Today! |
In today’s world nearly all things that we do are done through the Internet including banking, social media, the workplace, education, and communication.
The number of threats, hacks and fraudulent activity surrounding these Internet Based activities has increased proportionately as more people have gone to the Internet for their daily interactions.
This guide will help you to understand how Cybersecurity and Privacy are interconnected and provide you with helpful tips for securing your online account(s) and your personal information.
1 Protect Your Online Account
2 What is 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
3 Is it necessary to have a VPN?
4 How to Protect Yourself From Hackers and Online Scams
Your Online Account(s) are Your Digital Identity! If Anyone Gets Access to Your Account, Other Accounts May Be Compromised In Some Way!
Use Only Strong, Unique Passwords For Each of Your Online Accounts.
Your Strong Password should:
1) contain at least 12 characters
2) have at least 1 uppercase character, 1 lowercase character, 1 number, and 1 special symbol.
3) be unique to each of Your Online Accounts (use different passwords for each account).
Avoid having (using) any passwords that are (as):
1) Your name, date of birth, or phone number
2) Commonly used passwords: 123456, password or qwerty.
One Helpful Tip: Use A Password Manager to store all of your passwords securely!
Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a mechanism for adding an additional layer of security to your account.
The mechanism of 2FA works as follows:
1. You provide your password to log into your account.
2. After that, you have the opportunity to authenticate your identity using.
- A code sent to your phone
- An authenticating app
- Your fingerprint or face ID
So, even if someone else steals your password, they won't be able to log into your account without completing the second step.
The following important accounts should have 2FA enabled:
1. Google
2. Facebook
3. WhatsApp
4. Email accounts
5. Bank accounts/payment applications
I enable 2FA on my Gmail account, as well as on Facebook and communicating with my bank/account applications because I had a friend who was hacked; therefore, I believe everyone should use it.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all of your online activity and protects your internet connection and computer.
There are several reasons why having a VPN is important:
- Your IP address is hidden.
- Your online activity is protected on all public Wi-Fi (i.e. in restaurants, coffee shops, airports, hotels, etc.).
- No one (including hackers) can see what you're doing online.
- Using a VPN gives you a greater level of privacy when you're online.
The following are examples of when to use a VPN:
- When you're using public Wi-Fi.
- If you're logging into accounts that have sensitive information.
- If you want to browse the internet without being tracked by your ISP.
Using a VPN is not just necessary for experts; it is necessary for everyone.
Hackers often attempt to trick individuals by using social engineering rather than hacking technology.
Common scams online include:
1. Fake emails from banks or businesses
2. Notifications of account closures
3.phony prize giveaways
4. Unsolicited links sent through social media or text messages.
To help reduce these risks, always:
1. Avoid clicking on suspicious email links
2. Be wary of unknown file downloads
3. Review sender email addresses
4. Refrain from providing verification codes to anyone
Keep in mind that real businesses will NEVER ask for your password.5 Safeguard Your Privacy on the Internet
Your personal information has value.
Here are some basic tips for maintaining privacy online:
1. Check app permissions often
2. Only share what you need to on social media
3. Disable location tracking when it isn’t needed
4. Always log out of shared devices
Protect personal information if it were cash; be safe with it.
Keep your devices safe
1. Update your phone and computer constantly.
2. Use official app stores when installing apps only
3. Keep up with antivirus software updates.
4. Secure your devices with a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition
Updates frequently fix security issues, so don't ignore them.
In Conclusion
Cyber security applies to everyone—not just information technology (IT) professionals. Creating strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), using a VPN and being aware of phishing scams will reduce the risk of getting scammed.
Being safe online is a routine; it is not just something you do once.
Start being safe online today and take control of your digital life.
Written by somtechguide.com
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