How To Keep Your Online Security Strong This Holiday Season
The holiday season celebrates family, accomplishments, friends, and joyful things. Nothing beats the holidays, away from work, just at home, using the internet. You’re trying to know what is happening in the world or have fun, but some hate it and want to take it away. These people are cybercriminals like real-life thieves, but this time, they steal data to sell, ask for ransom, or destroy it. Agencies are trying to stop these people, but the rising population using the internet is too much for the government. Thus, many tech companies have invented new software to assist in ending these cyber threats. These criminals are on everything: social media, credit card payment systems, personal information portals, websites, and networks. They can attack any device with an internet connection. You can’t avoid this threat by staying offline, but you can by using these security tips.
1. Use a VPN
Besides hackers, companies or government organizations snoop on your data to know better for their campaign. A VPN is a virtual private network that encrypts and provides online security. The data transferred between the network and your device is encrypted, making it hard for the wrong hands to decode. As you spend your holiday connecting to public WiFi, a VPN installed on your device will detect a secure router to connect your device. In addition, the software hides or changes your IP address, allowing you to snoop on other locations and making it difficult for hackers to find you. There are many VPNs on the market, and if you’re interested, EarthWeb has listed some of the best VPN providers out there. Ensure you get one with a trusted reputation and subscribe to be more secure.
2. Use a Password Manager
Tech-savvy people have set in circulation a password manager that can handle all your password settings if you permit. The software generates and stores strong passwords for accounts on the device. These passwords are stored to save you the time of inputting many passwords. All you have to do is store all your passwords and then lock them with a master password you can use when needed. In addition, the app blocks fishy sites, links, viruses, spyware, and phishing scams. These evildoers install this app on your device under your nose. You can use software like Ad-Aware Pro Security, AVG, Norton Antivirus, Krasky, and McAfee to fight these cyber threats. Ensure you have one of these armies on your device, especially a device with your personal information.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a multi-factor verification process that needs two pieces of information. The method gives you two options to secure your password, but in the form of an answer. For example, you can choose something you have, or you know, or you are. 2FA provides extra online security when it detects fraudulent activities. If someone were to try your password a certain number of times, the device would automatically request the answers to the 2FA. Some software uses fingerprint or facial recognition. In addition, they request your phone number to send a code in such a scenario or to tap the confirmation button. Two-factor authentication is robust, which is why Google and Microsoft are pushing for it.
4. Be Careful About What You Click
The fastest way to get lost online is by clicking on malicious links. These links are sent by hackers disguised as reputable companies or websites; clicking them takes you to their malicious sites instead of the leading site. You can notice these links attached to your email, websites, and profiles, redirecting you to where they will steal your information or login details. Always have second thoughts before clicking on any unknown attached links. Moreso, endeavor to use websites with well-known, trusted URLs. Also, avoid clicking on skeptical websites.
5. Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
When a company updates its software, it is simply fixing malfunctions or leakages. These occasional updates fix bugs, malware, glitches, twitches, etc. Above all, your operating system and apps need to remain up-to-date. Hackers surf the internet looking for loopholes in apps to exploit. They try to breach the security, especially on outdated apps gaining access to your device and stealing your details. Ensure your software is set to auto-update to avoid falling into the hands of sinister hackers.
