The cost of cybercrime climbs every year, but the criminals aren’t done yet. Researchers estimate that we’ll lose an extra $6.4 trillion over the next five years. That’s a 69.41% increase by 2029.
Think about it, how much do you rely on the internet? Looking for the best deal on a new car? You Google it. You log into your banking app to pay bills and you check social media regularly.
Unfortunately, while going online is convenient, it also puts you at risk. If you’re not careful you’ll become a victim of cybercrime.
With that in mind, we compiled this guide to securing your browsing habits.
Have a business? It’s a good idea to share this with your team. Do you use third-party vendors, like outsourcing ecommerce support? Make sure that your new help desk team is as good at protecting your data as they are at serving your clients.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Do you use your birthday or mother’s maiden name as a password? Anyone who knows these details can easily guess them. Think you’re safe from bad actors? Do you have a Facebook account, or are you registered with any of the ancestry websites online? If so, it’s very easy to find these details.
You should use passwords that:
- Are at least 12 characters long.
- Consists of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Don’t use common words or names.
- You don’t use it on multiple sites.
You can ask Google to suggest a complex password and then store it in a password manager like LastPass.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Is it a little bit of a pain to have to confirm that you’re signing in on your phone or an authenticator app? Yes, but enabling multi-factor authentication makes your account even more secure. If a hacker gets hold of your password, this stops them from accessing your account.
Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
When last did you update your operating system, browser, and any other software. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in these programs, and the companies may not know about these gaps until there’s an issue. Therefore, it’s essential to perform regular security updates to patch these holes.
Where possible, enable automatic updates so you stay on top of changes.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts
Phishing is one of the most common threats we face today. Bad actors send out emails, texts, social media, or instant messages with one purpose: to get more information from you. Usually, they do this to get your login or credit card details.
They may give you a link to click through to or an attachment to download. If you click through to the link, you’ll see a legitimate-looking site. However, it’s either loaded with malware or key loggers. If you enter your login details, they’ll have the information they need.
They’ll often pretend to be your bankers, the IRS, and other financial institutions. And, unfortunately, they usually look pretty legitimate.
To avoid falling victim to phishing:
- Always check the sender’s email address. A scammer can’t use the real thing, but they’ll look very similar. It might just be one character that’s different.
- Don’t click on links or download attachments unless you’re 150% sure it’s legitimate. Be extremely careful with unsolicited emails.
- Check the URL to verify how legit the website is. It should start with https:// and display the padlock icon in the address bar. If there’s any doubt, visit the official website and navigate from there.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Using a VPN puts one more barrier between you and criminals. The network encrypts your data and masks your IP address. This makes it harder for bad actors to track you online. They’re also less able to intercept sensitive information. You should always use a VPN on a public Wi-Fi network.
Be wary about free VPNs. These companies may log your browsing activity and sell your data to other vendors. Reputable paid services like NordVPN and CyberGhost have built a good reputation in the market.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions
Don’t log into your banking app or personal emails when using public Wi-Fi. Bad actors lurk on these networks in cafes, airports, libraries, and other public areas. You’re risking man-in-the-middle attacks.
Use Secure Browsers and Browser Extensions
You should choose your web browser carefully. Alternative browsers like Brave and Tor allow you to keep your browsing history private. You should also install legitimate extensions to block malicious content and add, like Privacy Badger and uBlock Origin.
Clear Your Browser History and Cookies Regularly
Cookies store your login information and preferences. This makes it easier the next time you visit the site. However, it also potentially exposes your personal data. You should clear the cookies and browser history regularly to protect yourself.
Be Mindful of App Permissions
When you install a new app or browser extension, see what permissions they ask for. Is that data that they truly need to function, or is it extraneous? If there’s a lot of extra info, consider if you really need the app. You should also regularly review your apps and uninstall the ones you no longer use.
Backup Your Data
The above tips can help you safeguard yourself online, but nothing’s foolproof. You should always back up your important data in case you lose access to the originals. Be sure to encrypt the backup and the original files. That way, if there’s a breach, the bad actors can’t get as much information.
Conclusion
To stay safe online you have to be vigilant. You can’t simply rely on software to protect you. Cybercriminals are quick to exploit any weaknesses. You should safeguard your data with strong passwords, MFA, and encryption.
Furthermore, be careful about how you deal with emails and what websites you visit. Join a VPN if you’re using public Wi-Fi.
While not one of these protects you on their own, together, they make a powerful defense.
