The Internet has emerged as an ever-developing global network in recent days. In the modern day digital world, hackers have become smarter than ever and found ways to exploit our privacy.
So How Do You Secure Your Information Online?
It isn’t uncommon to see ads about a product on various sites that you had searched earlier on a different site. Nowadays, websites store confidential information of users including their login details and browsing behavior.
“In the year 2017, about 40% of overall internet users became a threat to different cyber attacks including SMiShing, Phishing, Adware, and Identity Theft. The attack affected even the biggest names in industry counting on the Uber, Yahoo and more.”
The year 2017 was titled as the year of the cyber attacks, and 2018 has now been declared as the year of the AI-focused cyber attacks. Today, in this article, we will show you the top tricks to secure your data from the hackers, identity thieves, data snoopers, state-sponsored surveillance, and more cybercriminals.
How do You Protect Your Data Online
Keep an Eye on the Emails
In past, different cyber attacks have shown that humans are the weakest link in any cyber attack. That’s true due to the fact that human beings are influenced by feelings, desires, needs, and emotions.
A large number of the cybercriminals disguise them through an email and conduct a cyber attack. Among the most common cyber attacks fall the “Phishing” attack that includes sending email to different users for revealing their personal and confidential information.
Surprisingly, phishing attacks can be accomplished through disguising as bank notifications, survey, job interview opportunities, promotions, and much more.
Accessing Social Media Accounts Securely
Social media platforms have emerged as the mainstream source to target, reach, and communicate with the potential audience.
In addition, various cybercriminals have become active on different social media networks for stealing personal and confidential information.
Considering the rising threats to the users’ personal information, privacy experts recommend turning off the automatic share location feature in social media apps. In this way, you become safe and secured against the eyes of the cybercriminals.
You should never save any login details when accessing social media at a public place. Also, a VPN can keep your information encrypted and inaccessible to hackers and cybercriminals.
Two-Factor Authentication
In the world full of hackers, it is unsafe to rely solely on secured username and password. Different cybercriminals have already found a way to decrypt and exploit usernames and passwords.
Thus, it has become essential to secure an account through a safe method such as two-factor authentication. The two-factor authentication offers a strong protection to your account. Putting it simply, the two-factor authentication verifies that if a person accessing an account is authentic or not.
The two-factor authentication is easy-to-use. Various industry leading sites including Google, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and more offer two-factor authentication.
Choose an HTTPS Browser Plug-In
The HTTPS versions of websites are safer to access than the non-HTTPS ones. An HTTP site ensures that a server that you are accessing doesn’t decipher any confidential information of yours.
It offers a secure connection to a website, ensuring you stay safe against any cyber attacks. Privacy-friendly organizations including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) offer exclusive HTTPS Everywhere plugin that provides users with an access to the HTTPS version of different sites.
Also, you can use an alternative browser that offers secure browsing feature. For example, a different browser including the Epic Privacy Browser, Iridium Browser, and more offers anonymous and secure browsing to the users.
The leading privacy company Tor releases recently the Alpha version of the privacy browser for Android devices worldwide; you can also use it on your Android devices.
Set a Google Alert for Your Name
One of the simplest yet effective ways to secure your personal information is to keep an eye on what others say about you on the internet. Setting a Google Alert will tell Google to look for your name, what web pages to search for when to search, and what email address a search engine should use when sending you a notification.
Use Payment Mode Cash Where Possible
Today, there are various payment options available for buying a product online. You can buy through credit card, debit card, or cash.
However, according to the Business Insider, different credit card companies are eagerly looking to sell your personal information to the third party advertisers. Therefore, it is suggested that you stick to the old school way and choose to pay with cash when possible.
Be Careful When Sharing Your Social Security Number
Sharing a social security number with an unauthentic person or site can bring in disaster. You should think a hundred of times before sharing your social security number with anyone other than your bank, or credit card department.
In case a non-authentic person gets a hand on your credit card information, he can use your name, date of birth, and put you in a huge pile of debts. Having said, it is essential that you keep your social security number confidential even the last four digits as well. The last four digits of a social security number are utilized by the banks and other institutions for resetting the password and accessing an account.
In addition, if someone knows the last four digits along with the place of your birth, he can easily guess the SSN number. The reason lies in the fact that the first three digits reveal the place where SSN was applied. Thus, you should keep your SSN number confidential at all times.
Secure Your Devices
You should keep your device secure by implementing a password authentication whenever it boots or wakes up. Although your device can be secure at home, what if it gets stolen and falls into the wrong hands?
Not only this, you can install an app that could lock your phone if it gets lost. Some applications can wipe data and lock a device when it is stolen.
Conclusion
Online security has come into the bigger picture. With an increasing number of cyber attacks around the world, netizens feel helpless. It has become essential that you protect your information and save it from falling into the hands of cyber goons.
This guide highlights the key tips to protect your privacy and enjoy true online freedom. If you think that we have missed any tip for securing information online, then feel free to mention it.