Technology has changed the world and the way we live by leaps and bounds. But it also comes with its own set of issues, one of which is how to protect your personal data and sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands. It’s no secret that cybercriminals are everywhere these days, so you have to take steps to protect yourself against them. Here are some tips for protecting yourself online, so you can enjoy all the benefits that technology has to offer without worrying about being victimized.
1. Encrypt Your Data So That It’s Unreadable Without A Password
To Protect Your online Personal Data And Sensitive Info, encrypt your data so that it’s unreadable without a password. You can do this by using tools like Bcrypt or Scrypt to hash passwords and sensitive information before storing them in databases or saving them on the server-side of web applications.
To Protect Your online Personal Data And Sensitive Info, anonymize and protect your Internet traffic by using a VPN provider. This review on the best VPN with RAM servers will help you choose a service provider who’ll not only ensure that you are secure while surfing online, but will also provide you with storage services. You can go a step further and sign up for two-factor authentication to provide an additional layer of security on top of passwords.
2. Start Your Computer In Safe Mode To Protect Against Viruses And Malware
When your computer starts in safe mode, only the basic files are loaded. This safety feature turns off all programs that run at startup, except for antivirus software and drivers needed to boot your machine safely into Windows. Restarting your system this way can help identify any problems or threats that may be present in your system.
To boot in safe mode, shutdown and restart your computer, then press the F11 key repeatedly until you see a menu that lets you select Safe Mode. When the machine is booted into safe mode, run an antivirus scan to make sure everything is clean before continuing with the normal use of Windows or installing programs.
3. Use Strong Passwords For All Of Your Accounts, Especially On Social Sites
If you have a hard time remembering passwords, use a password manager. Password managers will use a safe location to store your social media usernames and passwords, especially if you are unable to use two-factor verification on them. If that is the case, make sure to use a strong password for that account as well.
If a hacker guesses or finds out one of your passwords to an online account, it is possible that they could use those credentials on other accounts. This is why it’s important to make sure you use different passwords for every account and two-factor authentication on your social media accounts and online banking sites. If this isn’t an option, be careful with what browser extensions you are using.
4. Make Sure The Privacy Settings Are Set To Private
This ensures your account is hidden from the public eye. The first step in protecting yourself online starts with the two most popular search engines; Google and Bing. It’s important to be familiar with each one because they track different types of information. It’s important to be aware of the information tracked by various apps so that you can adjust the privacy settings to your comfort level.
5. Monitor What Personal Information Is Being Shared On Your Social Media Apps
Make sure to delete any personal information on your social media apps or accounts regularly. When posting pictures online, make sure not to have anything identifiable in the background. Keep your personal information safe by not sharing it with strangers. Change your passwords every so often! If someone asks for personal information from you, don’t give it to them (i.e., your full name, phone number, email address, etc.) If you’re being harassed online, take screenshots of the messages and contact a parent/guardian/government authority immediately.
6. Be Cautious About Using Wi-Fi Networks
Be cautious about using Wi-Fi networks at coffee shops or libraries, as these may be less secure than home Wi-Fi networks. If you are on a public network that uses an unencrypted connection (a password is not required to access it), then any computer between your device and the router can potentially view your online activity.
Your online identity is not your true identity. It’s a representation of you, and it can be vulnerable to attacks if you’re not careful about how much information you share or who has access to that info. Be smart when browsing social media sites, downloading apps, connecting over Wi-Fi networks, and logging into websites with sensitive content like banking or email accounts.