In a world where cybercrime is gaining prominence, you need to be more careful with your information than ever before. It used to be that just having a solid password was enough. Now, that’s just the beginning.
Take the time to really assess what you’re doing to protect your online information, and strengthen whatever aspects you can. The following are four essential things you need to do to make your information as safe as possible.
1. Use Different Passwords for Every Account
Tempting as it is to use the same password all the time, it’s the worst thing you can do. If a hacker gets your password for one account, now they can access them all. Some tips to create a strong password include:
- Use a combination of lowercase and capital letters
- Include plenty of numbers and symbols to strengthen your password
- Aim for a length between 10 and 15 characters at least (the longer the better)
- Do not use personal identifiers as a password. That includes your children’s names, your date of birth, or your banking PIN.
2. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Back in 2011, Google introduced two-factor authentication (2FA) as an option to better protect their users’ information. As of August 2018, less than 10% of Google users have it enabled. If you’re one of the 90% opting out, I’m here to tell you that you’re skipping one of the most valuable online security tools available.
What is 2FA?
2FA is a security setting that requires both your password and an additional point of data to access an account. Typically, this additional data is a code sent to you via text, email, or through a code generator app on your phone.
Why It Works
Since passwords are stored on servers, all a hacker has to do is break into a server and they can swipe any password on the network. But the codes that a 2FA system sends are randomly generated each time you log on. The code isn’t stored anywhere, and once you use it, it won’t work again.
3. Install a VPN
Whether you realize it or not, your browsing data is a form of public information. Since the Internet is considered part of the public domain, anyone can look at certain information about you without your permission. You can’t impede their legal rights, but they can’t see what you don’t show. A virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to make your online footprints disappear.
What is It?
A VPN is a private network that encrypts your outbound data as it moves from your computer to the Internet. It also filters inbound information coming into your network. It makes it harder to pinpoint what data is coming from where, and makes the data unreadable unless it’s decrypted.
Where Can I Install a VPN?
You can install a VPN on any device with Internet connectivity. That even includes the streaming devices you use to watch Netflix, Hulu, and other channels. Setting up a VPN isn’t all that difficult, and there are plenty of online guides that show you exactly what to do. A VPN is especially useful if you plan on jailbreaking your streaming devices to watch region-locked content.
4. Install Anti-Virus Software, and Keep it Updated
The first time you switched on your computer, it probably had some form of anti-virus software built in. If you’ve since let your software expire, it’s time to renew your subscription. More than that, you have to keep it updated regularly. Since malware and other malicious software evolves to overcome protection software, you have to allow your anti-virus to evolve too. Consider the following data points provided by Norton Security:
- There was a 54% jump in new malware variants in 2017
- Kaspersky’s anti-virus software blocked nearly 800 million attacks from over 194 countries in 2018
- It’s expected that hackers will have stolen over 33 billion records between now and 2023
If data like that doesn’t convince you that you need to keep your anti-virus up-to-date, then I don’t know what will.