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7 Personal Cyber Security Tips for Staying Safe Online

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As we spend more time online than ever before, cybersecurity has never been as important. Whether you’re conversing on social media, playing games, or having a spot of online shopping, there are numerous risks you need to know about to protect your private data and information. Should such data fall into the wrong hands, your financial details could be at risk.

To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable online experience, there are cyber security tips everyone can learn and follow. These will offer protection and, ultimately, keep your sensitive data out of the hands of cybercriminals.

Be In the Know About Phishing

Phishing attacks appear to be on the rise. If you’re not sure what these are, listen up. A phishing scheme is when an attacker poses as something or someone they are not to trick the recipient into sharing private details. This could be in the form of clicking a malicious link or opening up an attachment that infects the user’s systems with malware.

To prevent being a victim of a phishing scam, you must never open emails from people you do not know. Even if it seems legit, a tell-tale sign is to check the email address at the top. Be suspicious about any emails that appear to be from your bank or loved ones.

Never Share Personal Information

You can never be too sure who is on the other end of a screen when conversing online. While the internet can be a brilliant tool for communicating with people from all over the world, unfortunately, some have hidden intentions and are out to scam others. Whether you’re chatting to strangers on social media or playing online games, never share personal information.

When speaking to others online, you may not think twice about sharing your name, where you’re from, or what you do for work. However, scammers only need a select few details from you to wreak havoc. If you like playing online casino games, make sure to only use reputable websites like PlayLive. Check out PlayLive casino guides where you can find out more about how to play games like poker.

Vary Your Passwords

We use passwords for just about everything online. Whether it’s social media, online banking, gaming, or shopping, it’s a good idea to create different passwords for these platforms. The reason for this is simple. Should a cybercriminal gain access to one of your accounts, they’ll have no problems accessing other platforms if you have used the same password. Using a strong password for your accounts is one of the best ways to add an extra layer of protection when browsing the web.
To create a strong password, we suggest you use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Never use something simple like ‘password123’. You will be surprised how many people do! If you’re worried about forgetting a password, why not write it down in a notebook next to your computer?

Keep Software Up to Date

Cyberattacks are on the rise and are commonplace on the world wide web. One of the reasons people fall victim to them is because they have outdated software, both applications and operating systems. The best thing you can do is keep software up to date. This helps eradicate critical vulnerabilities that hackers use to their advantage to gain access to your devices.

Some of the best tips to follow include switching on automatic system updates for your device and ensuring your desktop web browser features automatic security updates. Regarding your web browser, make sure to update plugins like Java and Flash.

Install Anti-Virus Protection

One of the prevalent solutions for fighting malicious cyberattacks is by having anti-virus protection software in place. This software stops malware and other viruses from infecting your device and, ultimately, stealing your data. Only use trusted vendors when searching for anti-virus software. Also, make sure to only run one anti-virus tool on your device.

In addition to anti-virus software, you can add another layer of protection by using a firewall. This helps in screening out viruses, hackers, and other malicious activity that could otherwise put you in harm’s way. Make sure to keep your software and firewall updated so you can always be one step ahead.

Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi

If you’re going on a family getaway, out with friends for a coffee, or simply going about your day-to-day business, you will want to keep in touch with loved ones when you’re not at home. Public Wi-Fi appears to be all around us. However, you need to understand the risks should you connect to them.
In a nutshell, public Wi-Fi isn’t protected. This means if you connect to it, there could be someone else on the same network who could see what you’re browsing, who you are, and potentially steal your private information. If you can, it’s always best to use your mobile data when you’re out and about.

Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is a service that adds extra layers of security to the typical password method of online identification. Without multi-factor authentication, you would usually enter your username and password. However, with this feature in place, you will need to enter an extra method, like another password or code to gain access.

Multi-factor authentication can include several prompts before you can access your account. Rather than seeing this as a hindrance, having this protection can be a lifesaver and make it much harder for cybercriminals to cause trouble. If you set up multi-factor authentication, make sure to use codes or passwords that you’ll remember.

The world wide web can be a scary place. If you’re not careful, you could make a rookie error that could see your personal information stolen and passed around. No one wants to be a victim of a cybercrime, so having your wits about you and taking the advice above into account should create an extra layer of protection when you surf online.

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