The world of Internet is growing bigger and better today. At a point where it has given us so much and made us open to the global world today, it has also pushed the attackers, phishers, scammers, and hackers to steal our personal information and use it for their gains.
Do you know the hackers pry our move when we browse online?
If we give them a chance, they can quickly gain access to our sensitive information. So we must learn the practices that make us vulnerable online.
Let’s Start!
1. Opening a Highly Irrelevant Email
In your email inbox, you must have received some unusual emails who ask you to open the link or download the files attached. And when you do that it steals all your data from your PC. These senders are phishers or scammers who ask you to enter the login information or click the file and in return, they infect your PC with ransomware or malware. They pretend as your well wishers or your service provider to trick you in opening the emails.
As soon as you receive your email from unknown senders, read the subject line and think if it’s important to open. Don’t click the link immediately as you may get into the trap easily.
2. Overusing Social Media
Today social media has made the world smaller by connecting everyone online. Your friend in the far-flung city knows your activities better than your neighbors. The information which you share online can be seen and trapped by anyone. For example, if your social accounts are public and the strangers know your pet name, date of birth, the first concert you attend, your residency area and more common things about you then they can easily guess your passwords.
So, instead of bragging about everything on social media it’s better that you limit the use or makes it visible to your friends only.
3. Public Wi-Fi
If you regularly browse online while sitting in cafes, bookshops or libraries then you’re making easy for hackers to steal your information. A public Wi-fi isn’t secure especially when you log in to your banking apps – the hackers can pry your move.
Avoid using public network unless its important or use a VPN to encrypt your data. It protects the attackers from getting into the information and give you the peace of mind that your data is safe. DDoS proxy protection is also useful in this regard.
4. Accepting Invitations from the People you don’t Know
Avoid adding people on your social accounts whom you don’t know. They can spy on your private information and use it to harass you. It’s a trick of cyberstalkers to get into your profiles and rob your data.
Once they have your information, they start using it against you so before you add strangers to your people, stalk them and see if they are worth adding.
5. One Password for All Accounts
You know the importance of strong passwords, especially when it’s a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. But your strong passwords can also become crackable if you use it for all other accounts. In addition, it also opens the threat for attackers to hack your data – pictures, memories, conversations and moments. Remember, cracking only one password can give access to all other information.
So, make sure you’re using multiple passwords for different accounts. If you have a hard time remembering the passwords, create a sheet, or use a password manager app that automatically stores all your passwords.
6. Delete the Accounts that are No Longer in Use
If your social account is no longer in use or it has become outdated, then it’s good to delete it. Since it had your name, email, contact information, so it’s not wise to leave it on the mercy of the Internet.
This practice will ensure that you’re active on specific platforms and only the companies that you want to associate with your personal information.
Precautionary measures are always better than falling in the trap. It also assures that you’re safe online while browsing, opening emails, and connecting with your friends and family.
So, always keep the above practices in mind to have a healthy life online.
Great Key points on digital practices which make me well awareness