Although many cyber attacks target businesses, individuals are also at risk. So, it’s critical to take steps to secure your personal cyber security.
You don’t want to fall victim to a phishing attempt that exposes your passwords, be locked out of your laptop by a ransomware attack or have your personal information stolen through state-sponsored espionage.
Our devices are so integrated into our lives that we use them daily for secure transactions like banking and shopping. It’s therefore crucial to not be complacent when it comes to preventing access to your important accounts.
There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are our top five personal cyber safety tips.
1. Use Strong Passwords
It’s important to use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts. This is particularly true for your email account, so that cyber criminals cannot access your confidential information, pretend to be you or reset the passwords you use on other accounts.
Using a password manager can help. These generate strong passwords and securely store them for you so you don’t have to remember them. Find out more about secure passwords here.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Setting up two-factor authentication gives you extra protection and is especially critical for sensitive accounts like email and banking, or any account that stores payment information.
With two-factor authentication, you must enter a code or use biometric identification to prove it’s you accessing the account. This is usually done using a mobile phone, but some services also provide verification by landline or with a card reader.
3. Recognise and Avoid Phishing Attempts
Phishing attacks are fraudulent attempts to trick you into giving away your personal information. They are commonly distributed through emails or messaging services like WhatsApp and contain suspicious links or requests for you to log in and provide sensitive information.
You can protect yourself from phishing scams by being cautious and vigilant. Verify the sender’s identity and check the URL before clicking any links or entering data.
4. Secure Your Home Network and Devices
To ensure computer security in the home, change the default passwords on any hardware, such as your router, smart home devices and gaming consoles.
Keep your device firmware up-to-date and regularly check for software and app updates. Never download attachments from unknown sources and protect laptops and computers with anti-virus and malware software. There are free options if your device does not come with it pre-installed. Perform regular scans for malware and vulnerabilities and back up your data frequently so you can easily restore it if you do fall foul of a cyber attack.
5. Stay Safe at Work
Don’t overlook the security of how you access services and devices at work. Social engineering tactics are on the increase. This is where hackers try to manipulate or trick you into parting with login information that they can use to access your company networks and data.
Here, you should apply the same safeguards and risk management strategies as you do for your personal security so you do not make security mistakes or impart sensitive information.
Cyber Security Matters: Don’t Become a Victim
Protecting yourself against cyber crime can be challenging at the best of times. Even if you minimise your online exposure, there is always a risk that there is someone out there keen on stealing your identity, your data or your money. Follow these best practices and internet safety tips to safeguard your individual cyber security.
Contact us today to discover how we can help and your business prevent cyber security attacks and to stay safe online.