Cybersecurity cases are constantly on the rise and it's incredibly alarming. Nobody is safe from hackers, data leaking, malware, or other scams these days. From individuals to small and large-scale enterprises, everyone is suffering in one way or the other.
However, you don’t have to go through it all. Yes, you can easily save yourself from all such problems by increasing your online safety. The following are a few tips and tricks that can help you eliminate your chances of being hacked or falling into a scam.
Use Complex Passwords
Many people have a hard time remembering passwords and because of that, they tend to keep simpler passwords. Well, short and simple passwords may be easy to remember but they’re also easy to guess. Anyone who knows you could guess your password right and hack your account.
Thus, it’s recommended to use complex passwords. The more complex your password will be, the harder it will be to guess it right. Also, be sure to change your password after a few weeks or a month. Frequently changing passwords is another trick that always helps in minimizing cyber threats.
Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is extremely helpful in keeping your mobile applications safe and fortunately, almost all applications now provide two-factor authentication. It requires you to add your phone number or email address in the application. Every time you try logging into your app, you get an OTP notification on your phone or email address.
Entering the OTP, you log into the application. It takes the security of the app to another level. Even if someone gets to know your password, they won't be able to log into the app without the OTP code, and in case they try to log in, you'll be immediately notified.
Use a VPN
VPN, an abbreviation for virtual private network, helps a lot when it comes to cybersecurity. Most of the time, hackers hack into your device by locating your IP address and location. A VPN helps you out by removing your IP address and hiding your location.
It switches your IP address with a unique code and changes your location. In this way, it provides you with complete anonymity while you browse the internet. Thankfully, there are many VPNs available with unique IP addresses, so you won't have an issue getting your hands on one. Not to mention, most of them are free to download and install, so you'll also get to save money.
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Get an Antivirus Plan
Apart from tracing your IP address and location, hackers also use viruses and malware to hack into your device. Remember, phishing scams are also quite common and you mostly fall into such scams because of your device not filtering them out.
For all such issues, an antivirus plan is what you need. It will keep your device secure against malware and viruses and will also block out suspicious emails and texts. Antivirus plans are also commonly available these days. They may not be free to download and install but they're extremely useful; hence, worth the money.
Update Your Software Frequently
While you may not realize it, old and un-updated software is 10x more vulnerable to hacking, viruses, and malware than the updated one. Therefore, it's imperative to keep your device's software up to date, be it your smartphone or laptop.
Frequently check your device's settings for any new updates and in case there are any, immediately update your device. Old software can also mess up your device's battery, reducing its life and efficiency. Hence, it is something that must never be ignored.
The Final Word...
Besides the tips and tricks mentioned above, please be mindful of third-party app stores and websites. They often have questionable apps and malware; therefore, they're not recommended. Rest assured, following the tips shared above, you'll remain on the safer side and the risk of your device getting hacked or catching viruses and malware will remain minimal. Just be sure to keep your digital security in mind when browsing the internet and all will be well.