In an interconnected world, digital possibilities and potential threats coexist. That’s why it’s crucial to safeguard your digital life and protect your personal data.
- Use strong and unique passwords
It’s generally a struggle to remember complicated passwords containing an array of letters, numbers, and symbols, and many people are tempted to use an easy-to-remember password across all their different accounts. But beware – this opens you up to account breaches. Research has found that stolen or weak passwords cause 81% of hacking-related violations, and although 91% of us know it's unsafe to reuse passwords, 66.6% of individuals do it anyway. Avoid falling victim to cybercriminals; use different passwords for each online account, don’t use common or easy-to-guess passwords, and create complex passwords where possible.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts because you need to provide additional information to verify your identity. If your password has been hacked or guessed, 2FA provides another barrier, protecting your sensitive data and accounts. 2FA usually works through authentication apps, hardware tokens, or SMS-based codes, but the latter can be vulnerable to interception. Authentication apps or hardware tokens are more secure options as they generate unique codes that are either event- or time-based.
- Regularly update and patch software
Thousands of new viruses are detected daily, so keeping your operating system, applications, and antivirus software up to date is crucial to ward off cyberattacks. Enable automatic updates to ensure you have the latest security patches to protect against new viruses and virus variants that can surface at any time.
- Beware email and phishing attacks
Phishing attacks are common, and most email providers have measures to filter suspicious emails. Still, fraudsters’ methods evolve regularly, and email providers need help to dodge every attack that makes it into your inbox. Stay vigilant and sceptical about suspicious emails from unknown sources and don’t click on links or attachments. For more information on phishing attacks and how to best protect yourself from fraudsters, check out our blog post How To Protect Yourself Against Phishing And Social Media Scammers.
- Secure your wireless network
Securing your wireless network is essential to protect your Internet connection and prevent unauthorised access. Increase your network's defences by:
- Customising the default administrator password on your router
- Enabling robust encryption protocols like WPA2 or WPA3 (security certification programs that secure Wi-Fi networks)
- Using a strong and unique Wi-Fi password
- Deactivating WPS functionality (a built-in feature on many routers that makes it easier to connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to a secure network)
- Implementing MAC address filtering to restrict access to your Wi-Fi network
- Disabling remote management unless necessary
- Regularly updating your router’s firmware (software that comes pre-installed on the router).
These proactive measures shield your device from potential attackers, safeguard your devices and data, and help you to maintain a secure and reliable Internet connection. By staying informed of the latest threats and keeping your security measures up to date, you lower your cyber risk and stay protected while connected.
