4 Ways to Feel More Secure Online
We could all feel a little more secure online. Online safety is becoming more of a focal point than ever, with one of the most common online cyber attacks being fraud and financial loss. Nobody needs that, do they? But, 20.4 million people were affected, resulting in £758 million in reported financial losses.
And it’s not only fraud. There’s a big issue surrounding our data being sold to data brokers, resulting in 69,000 cases of identity theft, with the total cost of cybercrime in the UK now costing the economy £27 billion. So again, we could all feel a little more secure online.
Read on for four of our top ways to feel more secure.
Update, Update, Update
Update, update, update – it’s so essential.
Updates to the software and applications are something people always forget or put off, but software updates are often patches that fix vulnerabilities. It’s not only the computer’s operating system; it extends to web browsers, applications, and even the mobile phone.
Outdated software is a well-known attack entry point, accounting for 60% of software-related cyber attacks. We’d also recommend setting reminders for regular updates.
Use a VPN
A VPN can give you anonymity, protect your data, and make your browsing experience far safer. People tend to use them when accessing public Wi-Fi, but we’d recommend it for everyday use.
You’ll also enjoy geographical browsing freedom – you can select an IP address for a country restricting your access to content, and it’ll let you in (although Netflix is clamping down on that now).
Whether it’s VPN cyber Monday or general vpn use, we’d recommend investing in one. They’re inexpensive compared to the benefits.
Password Safety
Having strong and different passwords on all your online accounts is essential…everything we’re mentioning is essential in this article.
A strong password should have upper and lower cases, numerical values, and special characters. It must be completely random. Don’t use common words that people will know or anything related to you, like a dog’s name or birthday.
Using a password manager is also advisable if you have a lot of complex passwords that you’re struggling to remember.
Don’t Save Login Details Online
Yes, we know it’s tempting and convenient to save your login details to websites. The risk is exposure. Many browsers have features that save usernames and passwords that cybercriminals can exploit. That’ll give them access to your online accounts (obviously), even those with sensitive details like credit card information.
Instead of depending on your browser to save your login details, make it a routine to type in the information or download a password manager like the good old days. It’s so much safer and if you’re using a password manager it’s not tricky to remember your login details.
How safe do you feel online? It’s no secret that the risks are growing and so is the likelihood of being involved in a cyber attack. It’s more essential than ever to find ways to stay safe online and make more sensible decisions.
