Youth Incorporated Magazine

The internet has seen an overwhelming increase in users since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. As online businesses began restructuring their approach due to this fact, cybercriminals started devising new ways to keep their craft afloat. The figures on cyber attacks increased by six times, causing over $6 trillion in losses. 

More concerning is that 36% of company data breaches occurred in-house. Disgruntled and malicious employees were the cause of damages resulting in millions of dollars. The hardest part of a cyber attack is the time and effort it requires to recover. Experts predict that the cost of cybercrime will hit $10 trillion by 2025, and companies will lose thousands of dollars in the recovery process. 

These statistics emphasize the importance of online security and why it is a critical investment. To guarantee safety on your PC, there are a few simple tips that you should know. 

Online Security Tips

Establishing and maintaining a secure network is a simple process. Although some processes may be time-intensive, they are crucial and necessary. 

Multi-factor Authentication

While having a strong password is a fundamental step in securing your network, having multiple steps in your verification process is more effective. Multi-factor authentication means using two or more levels to verify user identity. Did you know that up to 43% of online users share their passwords at some point? This stat shows that password access alone is inadequate and risky. 

A hacker may easily guess your password, but it will take them a while to find the answer to a security question. Computer users are encouraged to use this technique to help them create a firewall for their systems. 

Install a Reliable VPN

The most effective way to hide sensitive information and secure your online footprint is to use a Virtual Private Network. A VPN prevents data throttling, provides network scalability, and prevents anyone from tracking your online activity. It does much more-VPN encrypts traffic between your chrome browser and user data, ensuring a third party cannot steal, monitor, or replicate sensitive information. The primary function of this private network is to facilitate secure internet interactions by disguising your IP address. This feature hides your location and online activity by using cloud computing technology.

In addition, a VPN also gives you unlimited access to geo-restricted data and gives you a wider net for finding internet resources. 

Use Strong Passwords

Using memory to create passwords on your computer is not a good idea. Common passwords like birthdays and anniversaries are the easiest to guess. 61% of network breaches result from compromised passwords, and up to 50% of people use the same password for multiple accounts. 

Creating a strong password is easy. Use the information that isn’t known, make it long, and don’t use traceable keyboard paths. Another technique is to use sentences. If you are worried about forgetting your passwords, try a password manager to organize and catalog the information. Lastly, if you are having trouble coming up with one, just use a password generator. 

Have Multiple E-mail Accounts

Despite the several entry points for hackers, email is still the primary target for many cyber attacks. It is a cheap and easy-to-use platform and is popular with fraudsters. Using one email for all your accounts and transactions is unsafe, and it leaves you vulnerable to multi-level attacks. 

The best way to shield yourself from this risk is to have different email addresses for different functions. What this does is ensure that a hacker will not have access to all your private data if they breach one account. Multiple accounts may seem like a lot of work, but they facilitate a safer and more manageable system. It is also advisable to use different passwords for multiple accounts to avoid overlap. 

Manage Social Media Accounts

Social engineering is the most potent form of cyber attack today. Online users are unaware of the threats posed by social media and how this tool is used by cybercriminals. Social media platforms are vulnerable to phishing attacks, data mining, and malware sharing. Click baiting is a common technique where you share malware without knowing it. There are several other risk factors like botnet attacks. 

Protect yourself by being mindful of what you share on social media. Don’t post private or sensitive information or share links that you haven’t vetted. Stay away from random quizzes and online games that require access to your account. While going private may not be practical, it is advisable to strictly evaluate your social interactions online. 

Bottom Line

Online security is a critical consideration for any PC owner. The risk attached to unsecured browsing can cost you thousands of dollars in damages. These easy tips will be your first line of defense against cybercriminals.