Top 10 Recommended Security Practices

The online world is attracting a whole plethora of cybercriminals. Ransomware attacks have been growing by 40% and 86% of data breaches are financially motivated.

Do these statistics scare you? If so, it may be time to implement some basic online security practices into your life.

1. Change Your Passwords

Consistently changing passwords is a great password protection method. You should change your password every few months. Focus on the most important accounts, such as your bank account. You should also only use strong passwords.

2. Be Careful When Using Public WiFi

Most public WiFi accounts aren't secured. If your sensitive data is exposed on public networks, it may fall into the wrong hands. At the very least, a hacker can still your credentials and you'll lose access to your accounts. At worst, you may be a victim of identity fraud or stolen financial data.

It's best to avoid using public WiFi altogether and only use secure WiFi. If you need to, make sure you have a virtual private network (VPN) to disguise your IP address.

3. Don't Store Private Data in the Cloud

While most cloud platforms have tight security, hackers are smarter than you think. They can still compromise your cloud storage, accessing your private files. In addition, if your store your data on a shared cloud, a hacker can compromise more login information.

It's best to not store sensitive information on the cloud. If your team needs to view sensitive documents, choose a better-encrypted form of sharing.

4. Don't Share Private Life Details Online

While it may seem obvious, you shouldn't share certain details about yourself online. While an address is a given, you may not want to share other surprising details, such as your birthday and phone number. This information not only puts you at risk for harassment and stalking, but you can become a victim of identity theft.

5. Have an Anti-Virus Program

Viruses and malware can steal your sensitive data. Ransomware may even require you to pay a certain amount to return that data. An anti-virus program can secure your system and prevent a malware attack.

6. Update Your Software

Any data stored in outdated software is at risk. Different types of software update their system to protect against the latest cybersecurity attacks. If you don't update your software, you could be at risk of malware, ransomware, and data breaches.

7. Avoid Sketchy Emails

Phishing is a common method where hackers email you with links and downloadable files. When you select this media, a virus is downloaded to your computer. It's best to delete and/or report sketchy emails.

8. Be Wary About Giving Out Your Information

Another way that hackers steal your identity is by disguising themselves as a reputable source, creating an email or even a website to pose as a major company. They may reach out and ask for your credit card number or even your Social Security Number. Don't give out this information unless you 100% know the source is accurate.

9. Allow Two-Factor Authentication

At this point, most businesses allow two-factor authentication. When you log into your account, you will receive a text message or email with a code that you will need to include to access your data. This gives you an extra layer of protection from hackers.

10. Allow Security Protection Online

Most web browsers, such as Google Chrome, offer a variety of security protection options and they're often available for free. If a website isn't encrypted, these web browsers won't let you access the website at all. This is the first line of defense to protect your data online.

Use These Security Practices

We hope these security practices help you and we hope you're enjoying our site. Click here to learn more about us.