Bank card data can be used to steal money, and personal photos can be used for blackmail, provocations, and tarnish your reputation. Therefore, on the Internet, everyone should be careful. So, how to avoid these problems and protect your data? Here are practical tips.
The concept of data security in the Internet
The Internet is certainly a wonderful invention that makes our lives much easier. But the more we use it, the more we need to think about how to protect our personal data from hackers and other types of cybercriminals.
The leakage of personal data has become one of the most acute problems of recent years. Therefore, social networks and other electronic resources (forums, mail services, CRM systems, etc.) are constantly improving their functionality to prevent unauthorized access to personal data and user content. But it is worth not only social networks but also the users themselves to take care that confidential information is not used by attackers.
Basic rules to keep your data online secure
It is impossible to completely protect personal data on the Internet, but it is in your power to control what is known about you on the Internet. So, we have prepared a list of basic recommendations to protect your data in the online format:
- Keep programs and applications up to date
Many attackers exploit vulnerabilities in outdated programs, so check the version of your browser, PDF reader, and other utilities. With the current version, you are less likely to become a victim of intruders, because, after the appearance of new viruses, manufacturers make corrections to their product. Postponing updates is like leaving your apartment door unlocked. Do not forget to update the firmware of the router and modem, as well as install operating system updates.
- Use a password manager
Many people use two or three passwords for all their accounts, but this is very dangerous. It's not so scary if your account is hacked in some music service. But if you used the same password in online banking, you could lose your savings. Not to remember dozens of combinations, install a special program that automatically creates complex combinations and remembers them for you – a password manager.
- Set up two-factor authentication
Do this for all services where it is provided. But first of all, for the most important ones – e-mail, banks, and social networks. It is better to use an authenticator app on your phone that will generate codes.
- Use an ad blocker
Sometimes it is enough for attackers to lead the user to the site they need to get his data. So be sure to install an ad blocker. It will protect against malware embedded in ads and news. The most popular ad-blocking extensions are AdBlock Plus and uBlock Origin.
- Don't install questionable extensions
Depending on their functionality, extensions can have access to a huge amount of your data, such as your browsing history. Or even change how this data is shown to you. Therefore, choose programs very carefully. Install only what you really need, and only from the official browser store.
- Install an antivirus
If you're using Windows 10, you already have a built-in antivirus called Windows Defender. It may be enough provided that you do not go to dubious sites and do not download suspicious files, but it is better to play it safe. There is much less malware for macOS, so it is considered that it is not necessary to install an antivirus on it. But just in case, you can still do it.