Tech Watch : Top 12 Steps to Ensure Cyber Security

Photo Credits:https://tweakyourbiz.com

We are now in an era of technological advancement and it is something inevitable. There are a lot of positive impacts that go with these changes  especially on how we live our lives but we cannot deny the fact that there are also some negative implications. Cybercrimes are rampant with the use of the internet and it  is something very alarming especially on the welfare of children. In this article, we will discuss some very practical hints in order to avoid cybercrime for our security and safety.

1.      Be an educated user. If cyber criminals have the skill and ability to succeed in online fraud or to steal personal information, you also have the power to stop them by learning basic or practical ways on how to prevent them from happening. By simply reading information about online scam or analyzing credible testimonials, you will be updated of the things to do before anything bad will happen.

2.      Check on your firewall settings to activate them permanently. Most hackers or intruders take this opportunity getting into your confidential files and important data on your computer if they see that your firewall is not turned on. Activating your firewall means that it can detect traffic on the web and anything unusual or irregular will be prevented from taking place.

3.      Think before you click. It is a common event that while you are playing your favorite online game or checking your email or messenger, pop up windows and unverified prompt messages appear on your screen. This contain links that may either contain virus that may destroy your computer or bring you to fake websites without you knowing it.  It is best to ignore them for your sake.

4.      Surf wisely and intelligently. The best way to identify if you are on a safe website is looking at the first letters of a URL. If the address bar reads as “htpps.” , then you are secured with whatever information you are going to give. Without the “s” means the site could be a dummy or a fake.

5.      Shop online with a peace of mind. If it is your first time to shop online, ask questions first before making a decision. There are trust marks that are visible on screen and they assure you that a particular online shopping site uses authenticated and verified certificates especially in paying for a purchase using your credit card.

6.      Update your computer’s operating system and install advanced security software. Malware and spyware are common problems or threats in the use of your desktop or laptop computers. Performing updates or regular scans will prevent these threats from happening.

7.      Set up a strong encryption  for your wireless network. Aside from doing step no. 2 on this article, equip your system with passwords that are beyond decryption  so that hackers will be discouraged in getting or breaking into your doorsteps.

8.      Utilize very obscure passwords. Using your date of birth or your mother’s name might be too obvious to intruders or hackers. Changing them from time to time will definitely create a very slim chance of getting hacked or intruded.

9.      Using your common sense will be of great help. We are all endowed with something that calls our attention whenever something irregular or illegal is about to happen. Following cautions or warnings will not hurt us. Instead, it makes us a responsible netizen.

10.  Make your suspicions a weapon against cybercriminals. When something’s telling you it is not good, then definitely, it’s not. Do not patronize or believe unverified data or information given from unknown individuals or sources over the web. If you fall for them, then you definitely lose your mind.

11.  Never divulge personal and confidential information even to your friends. We do not even know what goes inside the minds of people that are close to us. Human nature tells us that hidden anger or envy will lead someone to betray or contempt us. If the information is scattered online, then we are in great trouble.

12.  Consult or hire an expert.  They always claim that two heads are better than one. What you are planning now might be different from the view of an expert. Use relevant information from these individuals to help you protect not only yourself but also your family.

Prevention is better than cure. Do not wait to become a victim of cybercrime. Do your part as a responsible citizen. The time is now. Procrastinating might lead you to situations or conditions that are irreversible. Act now for tomorrow might be too late.