“The first step in securing our cyber future is education, and that means everything from educating individuals to companies to the next generation of IT professionals.”
Dan Lipinski. (American Politician)
Cybercrime is on the rise and we read news about cyber bullies or hacking of personal details every day. The reason behind this increasing rate of crimes through the internet is not the lack of extensive cybersecurity measures, but human error. A single user, who is careless or uninformed can harm their PC, and make them a target of cybercrime.
Even a simple act of leaving your computer unattended or opening an unfamiliar link or attachment can be the cause of losing data or getting attacked by a virus.
The only way of preventing these attacks is to educate everyone on how to prevent cybercrime and learn the tips and security measures involved. Also, having an antivirus installed on all devices to secure them from malware and other threats is a good option.
Cyber hygiene means measures that users must take to improve their cybersecurity. Threats can be neutralized if one keeps in mind a few steps and takes a few of the below mentioned measures. They are some do’s and don’ts that every tech novice must know in order to learn how to prevent cybercrime.
The Dos:
1. Do connect to SSID
Ensure that whenever one connects to a wireless network, it is an SSID (service set identifier) network which is the right, secure and a proper network to surf the internet.
2. Do use a strong password
Every app/software advices that the user use a strong password that is of 8 characters or more. But simply using a long this is not enough. Always remember to create a password that is a mix of upper case, lower case, special characters, alphabets, and numbers. This makes it hard for the hacker to crack it. Also, don’t share it with others especially strangers, and never write it in a paper and leave it lying around.
3. Do use multifactor authentication
Many websites offer security that goes beyond username and password. Like PIN number, tokens and many more. Take advantage of these measures.
4. Do change passwords
Keep changing your passwords often, and keep them stored in a safe place so that you don’t lose them.
5. Do use cloud and storage devices
You can store data that is not confidential on the cloud so that you can restore them anytime. Also, use external disks and drives for storing private data and keep it locked.
6. Do verify emails
Check all the emails before opening them to find out their source and send any suspicious emails to the trash without opening it.
7. Do contact a cybersecurity firm
For companies, it is important to be in contact with cyber-security firms so that your data is safe and secure. Do research and know about their policies beforehand.
Also Read : How Cyber Criminals Use Adware to Make Millions
Don’ts:
1. Don’t be naïve
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can never be a victim and start taking precaution before you get hit by hackers or viruses.
2. Don’t open suspicious links
Never click on any spam or suspicious emails. Even a website that is not secured, should not be clicked on as it can load malware on to the PC.
3. Don’t share passwords
Don’t share passwords even with friends and family, and don’t let anyone use your devices without supervision.
4. Don’t keep the same password
Having a single password for everything is a stupid mistake which can let anyone hack into your accounts. So, have different passwords for everything, and never use a personal password for company use and vice versa.
5. Don’t use personal details as password
Creating a password using your family or pet name is a big no.
6. Don’t leave computers unlocked
If you are leaving your desk at the office even for a minute, lock the PC so that no one can tweak it. Same goes for when you use laptops at home.
7. Don’t use the unfamiliar network for sensitive browsing
When paying bills or banking, use only your device and Wi-Fi. Using Wi-Fi at a public place can make your date prone to stealing.
8. Don’t share too much on social media
Be wary of what you share on social media accounts or who you befriend. Many frauds are lurking on the net ready to use your personal details to their advantage.
Must Read : Get To Know Top Cybersecurity Trends In 2018
Committing any of the don’ts and not doing the dos, can lead to huge loss and humiliation. So, take cybersecurity threats seriously, and gather all the necessary tools, information and knowledge to fight back by learning how to prevent cybercrime threats.