Cybercrime threats are consistently rising and security breaches reports are also growing. Cyberviolence affects all areas of the internet and is not limited to social networks. As in real life, it can take on several aspects. Insults, threats, or scams are potential risks for internet users. These risks have increased in recent years as online consumption has grown.
There are different forms of threats for any who uses the internet, here are some of them.
Online scam:
Online scams affect a large number of people of all ages. Both men and women are targeted, although the latter seem more vulnerable. This threat is present in several media (fraudulent websites, fake profiles of influencers on social networks, video game platforms, etc.) and in several forms (blackmail, fake sales, romance, deception, etc.).
These scams can cover several areas, such as auction sites, dating sites, sales sites, or finance sites. The best way to protect yourself is to select trustworthy platforms that have references in their field.
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Cyberbullying:
This is one of the best-known practices and yet it remains one of the most frequently used because many people do not know how to deal with a situation of harassment.
Sexting:
Technology also has an impact on gender-based violence when people exchange content of sexual nature with other users they know or not, who are often not trustworthy.
This is called sexting, and although in this practice people consciously exchange photos or videos, the problem can evolve if one does not use security tools that also offer instant deletion. advanced protection of information or data.
Cyber harassment:
Cyberstalking is the use of the internet, email, or other telecommunications technology to harass or stalk another person. This type of harassment is methodical, deliberate, and persistent.
Communications, whether from a known or unknown person, do not stop even after the recipient asks the sender to stop, and are often filled with disturbing or threatening content.
Thus, it is essential to protect yourself as well as possible. Here we give you a step-by-step guide to your online privacy.
1. Manage your passwords well:
The security of the services used daily by companies and individuals depends largely on the proper management of passwords. To avoid compromising the security of your accounts, it is recommended to use a unique password for each application.
In order to limit the risk of a successful cyberattack, favor passwords that are impossible to guess, with at least 12 characters. They must include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
In addition to activating the “double authentication” function, it is possible to use a secure password manager, responsible for remembering all the passcodes for you.
Finally, be careful about your email password, which is generally linked to many online services. If a cybercriminal manages to hack it, he could gain access to your sensitive data.
You may also like: How to Make a Secure Password Generator
2. Back up your data regularly:
Companies that are victims of data theft can lose up to 20% of their value, according to a survey carried out by experts in cybersecurity research for SMEs. If you suffer a hack or if one of your devices breaks down, or is stolen or lost, backup is the only solution to recover your sensitive data.
To be able to recover information easily, it is necessary to regularly back up the data of your IT tools (PCs, tablets, smartphones, connected devices). Be sure to keep a copy of the backups on a USB card or external hard drive, to be unplugged once the backup has been created.
3. Perform security updates on all computer equipment:
By updating as soon as the updates are offered, you fix potential security vulnerabilities. You prevent hackers from using them to break into your devices. Thus, you avoid the theft, destruction, or espionage of your data.
4. Use an antivirus:
Antiviruses are valuable allies to protect you against the main attacks and existing viruses. Many free or paid software is available on the market to protect your computer from cyber security breaches. Do research to select one that is suitable for your uses and with the level of protection you are aiming for. An IT cybersecurity expert can help you make the best choice.
Frequently check the updates of the antiviruses installed on your devices to ensure that you have not been infected. Remember to launch deep scans from time to time as it is a good way to prevent cyberattacks.
5. Download applications exclusively from official sites:
To reduce the risk of installing a malicious app intended to hack your devices, download your software from official stores like the Apple Store, or Google Play Store. At the same time, avoid using suspicious or fraudulent websites that may introduce malware to your IT tools.
6. Pay attention to unexpected or alarming messages:
Do you receive an unexpected or alarming message by email, SMS, or chat, from a known or legitimate sender? Take the time to find out internally, then externally, about the merits of the request. We recommend checking them on Leadar. This website reveals the email details, work history, and current residence address of any contact number.
7. Inspect the sites on which you make purchases:
Before buying on the internet, it is essential to check:
– The credibility of the offer.
– Customer reviews.
– The version of the site. It must be official and not fraudulent.
In the event of an order on a dubious or malicious site, you risk having your professional credit card number stolen, or having a counterfeit or dangerous product delivered to you.
8. Control your use of social networks:
Disinformation, identity theft, fraud, blackmail, information theft, cyberbullying, defamation… To avoid these dangers related to cyber security:
– Protect your professional social media accounts with strong passwords.
– Check your privacy settings regularly.
– Do not post sensitive information on your pages.
9. Separate personal and professional use:
If your uses are not separated, the hacking of personal accounts can impact your business and vice versa. To maximize your cybersecurity, consider using separate passwords, emails, and storage services for each purpose.
10. Beware of public Wi-Fi networks:
Talking about your mobile, preferably use the 3G or 4G connection to surf the internet. Avoid public Wifi, most of the time it is poorly secured. If you have no other option, do not perform sensitive operations and use a virtual private network (VPN).
Go through this step-by-step guide and you will be able to prevent your online privacy from being breached.
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Equipped with a Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) degree, Lucas Noah stands out in the digital content creation landscape. His current roles at Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC showcase his ability to turn complex technology topics into engagin... Read more
