Life will standstill without the internet in this modern era. Assume a day without using the internet on a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or smartwatch. It isn’t possible, right? However, staying connected online exposes everyone to various vulnerabilities, such as viruses, spam, malware attacks, trojans, adware, phishing, and more.
It created a path for cybercriminals to pry on valuable user data. Photos backed up on cloud storage, data on social media accounts, and banking details are all at risk.
Staying vigilant and prepared is the only smart way to secure your online presence. As an adage goes, “prevention is better than cure.”
So, here are the top five techniques to protect your sensitive data from online breaches.
Antivirus Software
An antivirus is the first line of defense for scanning, identifying, and blocking malware on your computer, laptop, and phone. Also known as anti-malware software, it examines data on your hard drive and incoming data from the internet to protect your device against infected links, malicious attacks, and other suspicious activities.
This tool searches for patterns based on the definitions or signatures of common malware. If your device gets infected, you’ll receive an alert and a prompt to clean the suspicious files. Sometimes, this antivirus software will also auto-attempt to remove the malware without asking the user.
Further, advanced antivirus protection will allow you to browse safe websites but block dangerous sites. For example, you can sign up and claim BetUS Casino no deposit bonus codes smoothly as the tool will pass it as a safe platform. You won’t receive any warning for using encrypted and credible online gambling platforms. However, it’ll instantly intercept a fishy casino site.
VPNs
Install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) app on your laptop and smartphone to stay protected while using public Wi-Fi. When you use a public network, you give access to malicious actors to steal your critical files and data.
So how does it protect you? A VPN software encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address to restrict hackers from snooping on your data. The tool creates an encrypted tunnel between a VPN server and your device to protect sensitive user data from cybercriminals like passwords and credit card numbers. Besides, it protects you from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks by concealing your IP address.
The best VPN software options in the market are NordVPN, IPVanish, Norton Secure VPN, Proton, ExpressVPN, and AVG Secure VPN.
Multi-factor Authentication
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) can add an extra layer of protection to your phone devices and apps.
This identity verification process isn’t solely dependent on a username and password. To avoid cyberattacks, you’ll activate additional verification factors, such as OTP, fingerprint scan, facial recognition, and push notification.
An extra step during the login process secures systems against unauthorized users. This multi-verification process makes it challenging for bad actors to steal your sensitive information. Only you can access the system after completing the set combinations of passwords. Thus, there’s a reduced risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
Password Managers
Setting unique passwords for each website and app is a non-negotiable practice to secure your sensitive data. However, remembering all the passwords is challenging for many. If it’s tricky for you, too, the solution lies in a password manager.
This tool allows you to store all the passwords in one place. You’ll only need to remember a master key to access your password vault. It also auto-generates strong, random, and difficult-to-crack passwords. Thus, it makes your online existence less vulnerable to password-based attacks.
It doesn’t end here. Some password managers can even alert you to a phishing site.
The best password managers you can consider to install are 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane.
Other Tips to Secure Your Sensitive Data Online
Here’s a quick checklist of critical cybersecurity tips to ensure your privacy and security on the internet.
- Create a strong and long password combination that includes at least 12 characters and a mix of characters and numerals.
- Avoid using the same password on all apps and sites. If one gets hacked, cybercriminals will have no trouble accessing your other accounts and apps.
- Ensure to update your antivirus software regularly. Using the latest version with upgraded security patches will protect your devices from online vulnerabilities.
- Review and activate privacy settings on all social media channels and web browsers to restrict third parties from accessing your personal information online.
- Don’t enter your financial and personal information on a website that isn’t secure. Check for the “https” prefix and padlock before the URL to verify it uses encryption technology.
- Never click on suspicious links from untrusted sources that might infect your device with malware.
FAQs
1. What is the best antivirus software?
You can install an AVG, McAfee, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, or Avast antivirus tool to protect your device from online threats.
2. What is a cloud security tool?
As the name indicates, cloud security tools keep cloud-based data, applications, and infrastructure safe from cyberattacks. This software ensures data access control, privacy protection, and device authentication. Multi-factor authentication is a perfect example of cloud security.
3. What is OTP?
OTP is an abbreviation for One-Time Password, a temporary, secure PIN code sent to the user via email or SMS. This unique OTP is valid only for a specific period and usable once, which makes the verification process more secure.
Final Words
Hackers are getting sophisticated, and so should you. That said, protect your valuable data by adopting safe online habits. The goal is to make it hard for bad actors to hack your devices by staying one step ahead.
