Things You Can Do To Keep Yourself Cyber Safe

Cyber scams have been a persistent threat, with fraudsters actively seeking potential victims on a daily basis. Because of these, Cyber Security is becoming very crucial for the safety of digitalization.

Don't assume you're immune to online predators - hackers don't necessarily need knowledge of your bank balance to target you. They value your identity, financial information, and even the contents of your email. Cybercriminals employ broad tactics, hoping that you underestimate your vulnerability.

To minimize the risk of falling victim to scams, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the warning signs. Let's begin by understanding the fundamentals of "cyber hygiene" - adopting simple and common-sense practices to safeguard your online presence.

First, let's begin by enabling Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

It is referred to by various names: Two Factor Authentication, Multifactor Authentication, Two Step Factor Authentication, MFA, 2FA. Regardless of the name, they all serve the same purpose: adding an extra layer of security when trusted websites and applications require confirmation of your identity.

Whether it's your bank, social media network, school, or workplace, these platforms aim to ensure that it is indeed you accessing your information.

To strengthen security measures, the industry is implementing a method to verify your identity. Instead of solely relying on passwords, which can be reused, easily cracked, or stolen, this approach adds an additional layer of protection.

They can verify it’s you by asking for two forms of information:

Something You Know like PIN NumberSomething You Have like an authentication application or a confirmation text on your phone.Something You Are Like a Fingerprint Scanner or Face I.D.

It becomes significantly more challenging for hackers to deceive the second step. Therefore, you can authenticate your identity by completing two steps.

Once you understand the concept, you'll notice prompts for multifactor authentication everywhere. Take the initiative to enable it. Begin with your email account, followed by financial services, social media accounts, and online stores, and remember to include your gaming and streaming entertainment services!

Keep your software up to date. Enable automatic software updates whenever possible

Malicious individuals will take advantage of vulnerabilities in the system. Network defenders are diligently working to address these issues, but their efforts are dependent on all of us updating our software with their latest fixes.

Make sure to update the operating system on your mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Additionally, keep your applications, particularly web browsers, updated on all your devices. Take advantage of automatic updates for all your devices, applications, and operating systems.

Exercise caution and consider before clicking on any links or attachments

Have you ever come across a suspicious-looking link or received a message urging you to change your password or provide personal information? Whether it's through emails, text messages, or phone calls, these could be phishing schemes, or cleverly disguised attempts by cybercriminals to trick you into revealing sensitive data such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. Falling victim to phishing attacks is more common than we realize. Trust your instincts and exercise caution by thinking before you click. Let's all join the fight against phishing!

Use strong passwords

Were you aware that the most commonly used passwords include "password" and "123456"? Opting for an easily guessable password is akin to locking your door but leaving the key on the doorknob for anyone to access. To strengthen your password security, consider the following tips:

Length: Ensure your password is at least 15 characters long.Uniqueness: Never reuse passwords across different platforms or websites.Randomness: Generate passwords using a computer or password manager, as they excel at creating truly random combinations.Avoid recycling: Do not use the same password for multiple apps or websites.Password manager: Consider utilizing a password manager to store and manage your passwords. This way, you won't have to remember them all. Remember to set a strong and memorable master password for your password manager and enable MFA (Multifactor Authentication) for added security.

Promoting cyber awareness is infectious

In a world that is becoming more digital and interconnected, safeguarding ourselves is essential, but it requires a collective effort to ensure the security of the systems we depend on. Being cyber smart is contagious. Embrace the four fundamental steps mentioned earlier and encourage two friends to do the same. Together, we can create a safer digital environment.