Top 10 Best Practices To Protect Yourself In A Cyber World
by TreyCraf7 · 10 things on Twos
- Don’t post anything online you aren’t comfortable with the world knowing about.
Once uploaded, even for just a second, the internet never forgets.
- Two-factor authentication is essential. ( at a minimum use it for your financial accounts and email addresses)
Having a second layer of security on your personal and financial accounts is a great way to provide yourself with a bit more peace of mind.
- Use a password manager and dont reuse passwords.
Browsers like Chrome, Brave, and Safari have built in password managers (like keychain) that can suggest secure passwords for you. Having a strong password but reusing it defeats the purpose. So avoid using the same password for multiple sites. Which brings us back to use a password manager!
- Don’t blindly click on links ( or forward them ).
Most compromises come from phishing links that download a payload or provide an attacker access. It may have a file in it, it may just be a link or image. If you don’t recognize the sender or the link embedded, flag the file. When in doubt talk to the sender (If you know them) about the file or link before opening it.
- Avoid insecure sites (http).
Look for the little lock in your search bar. Its not a sure sign the site is safe, but its better than nothing.
- Don’t share your location.
Stripping geolocation tags out of images, not providing social media with your location data via check-ins or permissions access on your smartphone, and being aware of your surroundings in pictures will go a long way to help protect your privacy.
- There is no such thing as free.
If it is free, YOU and your information are the product. Would you sell your personal information to anyone? Why give someone else permission to then...
- Take advantage of Credit locks and freezes.
These services make it so thieves can’t open lines of credit in your name. You will be alerted each time someone tries to run your credit as well. Pay attention to the terms of the service however, you may be required to renew the lock ever few months.
- Be aware of the permission you give your apps.
Does Candy crush really need access to your microphone, camera, and to be able to read your emails..? Allowing the apps you use to access unnecessary resources just because, only makes it easier for the app authors to gather more of your data. They track telemetry, GPS locations, keystrokes, and much more. All in order to further understand you (the customer) and how to better sell you new products. Or to make you the product.
- When in doubt... Ask somebody!
Googling a site to check its credibility, or asking someone about a file you were sent is always the better option than to blindly trust. You may feel foolish and often what you see is harmless, but you will be happy when something malicious does get sent your way and you avoid it because you were being diligent.