The internet underpins so much of our lives in this modern era – just think about how much of your daily life runs through your phone and computer.
Working on your laptop, using banking apps, and paying for items with online wallets are all examples.
The convenience makes things much smoother, quicker, and easier for us. However, it also means that a huge amount of data is available for criminals to exploit if you are not careful.
Cybercrime has risen sharply in recent years, with the pandemic opening up new opportunities for those looking to profit. Here are some ways in which you can avoid falling foul of their scams and schemes.
Browse with vigilance at all times
If you’re unsure, don’t click. It’s a pretty basic rule by which to live, but it can save you a lot of hassle.
Treat messages or emails that include suggestive updates and a link with extreme caution, especially if they arrive out of the blue.
Shopping online is a convenient way to get things you need and want. But you should also be particularly careful about it.
If you’re shopping with a high-street brand, you may be able to reserve an order and complete it in-store. This is often safer than entering your details into your browser.
Install antivirus protection
Antivirus software can prevent your devices from falling foul of scams and other attempts to extract sensitive data from you.
Most programs work by removing lines of code designed to do harm. Others can act as a barrier – preventing you from downloading certain files.
Keep passwords secure
It can be tempting to use a standard password for everything. There’s just one thing to remember so that you don’t end up hitting that ‘Forgot Password?’ button over and over again. But this is dangerous – if someone obtains that password anywhere, they have access to everything.
A random password generator can help you to keep things secure. Many devices also enable you to store passwords using protective software. It is like that which keeps your banking details secure when in an online wallet.
Use a VPN
If you are on the move a lot and browse the web using public networks, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a useful tool to keep you secure.
It’s possible to download a VPN for Chrome and mobile devices, too, for extra protection.
They work by masking elements of your activity so that criminals who snoop on these busy networks cannot access your data as it passes through.
Don’t ignore software updates
Nobody likes hanging around waiting for a software update to do its thing. We’ve all got better things to do.
Many of these updates include crucial security improvements, though. Also, criminals and hackers tend to find ways to get around the security of older updates. So ignoring yours could put you at risk.
