Crime keeps on growing instead of evolving safety practices and precautions. And being an age of digital evolution, cybercrime is on the rise. And the bitter reality is none of us is safe from it. All of them are digitally exposed. The headlines about digital theft, and security breaches in the news keep on reminding us to follow safety measures to stay safe.
However, you need Cybersecurity Best Practices because the attackers are always keeping an eye to exploit even a minor vulnerability. So here I am telling you some of the most up-to-date tips and tricks to stay safe.
1. Keep software up-to-date
The three main purposes of updates brought by software companies are to add new features, resolve bugs, or upgrade security. Therefore, it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest updates to stay protected from vulnerabilities and any unexpected risks.
2. Keep hardware up-to-date
It’s not just about software; the hardware is also important for keeping you safe from cyber attacks. If your hardware is old and outdated, it’s time for you to upgrade it. Old hardware may not support new software updates and even slow down the process of cyber security, leaving security gaps. These security gaps can be exploited anytime.
3. Avoid opening suspicious emails
An estimated 3.4 billion spam emails containing phishing attempts are sent daily. According to statista.com, almost 83% of businesses in the UK reported phishing as the attack type they suffered in 2022. Phishing can result in data breaches, financial losses, and downtime. So, only open those emails that come from a reliable source.
4. Check links before you click
One of the concerns that have been in the headlines is phishing attacks. Most of these attacks in 2023 were done by sending. Links can easily be turned into something they’re not, so it’s best to double-check before clicking on a hyperlink.
5. Use anti-virus and anti-malware
Anti-virus software is one of the most common Cybersecurity Best Practices. The Internet has become the life and blood of everyone. And by connecting to the Internet, you open yourself to a world of threats and malware attacks. However, to protect yourself, you can install and use an anti-virus and anti-malware. These tools help you reduce vulnerability and act as a lever of protection.
6. Use a VPNs
As mentioned earlier, the Internet opens you to vulnerability. However, one thing can prevent your data from being open. This is a VPN, a virtual private network that hides all the information about your connection, service provider, and any private information associated with it.
7. Create complex passwords
Easy passwords are easy to crack. You may have to put some effort into creating and remembering a password. But trust me it is worth it. Strong passwords that pairs letters, numbers, and unique characters can save you from threats, cyber-attacks, and breaches.
8. Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it
Features in our devices offer many benefits but they do come with a cost. Features like Bluetooth, wifi, etc, can be used to steal your data and barge into your personal information. Therefore, I suggest that you disable them when you are not using them.
9. Enable 2-Factor Authentication
2-factor authentication is like a double-layer protection. It’s similar to two lock systems in our homes. It prevents attackers from accessing your data by limiting access to only those who can verify their identity. Always enable these features, wherever available, to keep your data in a locker with double locks.
10. Remove adware from your devices
Whenever you search for something on any platform, it gets recorded, and you must have noticed that you are getting retargeted or similar product ads. This is because of Adware. Adware is software that collects data and shares it with the server. If you want to protect your data from being leaked, you must remove this adware from your devices. You can use AdwCleaner to remove adware.
11. Use HTTPS on your website
Cybersecurity Best Practices suggest using SSL certificates and HTTPS to protect your website from being hacked. These security measures encrypt and hide the data that gets transferred between the web server and a browser.
12. Double-check for HTTPS on websites
It’s not only about your website; when you visit a website that doesn’t employ HTTP, security concerns do arise. This website may act as a link to expose your data to the attackers. So I suggest you double-check the security of the visit you are making.
13. Avoid using public networks
Public networks can make your personal information public. When we connect to any public network, we share a network with everyone who is connected. Now, anyone from your co-user can access your data. Therefore, Cybersecurity Best Practices suggest either avoiding public networks or using a VPN to connect with them.
Also read our blog: Cyber Security: The Essential Guide To Keeping Your Data Safe
