Your identity is precious. It sums up everything that makes who you are, all your qualities, beliefs and expressions. When you are online, this identity is represented by the social persona you employ to surf websites, forums or social media platforms.
But since not all is sunshine and roses in the online world, together with Internet usage blooming, the cybercriminal industry has also had its part of digital transformation. Enabled especially by the sharing culture on social media, hackers today can easily steal your identity and use it for their own profit.
The worst part about being the victim of cyber theft is that if your online identity gets stolen, you might not only lose money, but you can also lose your reputation.
From opportunists trying to extract your passwords through phishing, to highly organised crime units targeting businesses and government systems, attacks come in all forms and shapes. In today’s day and age no one is safe from hackers, that’s why knowing how to protect your identity online is essential.
And yes we know there are a lot of threats out there. But there are also an equal number of defenses, and that’s what we want to share with you today. So here are 4 internet privacy solutions anyone can use to guard themselves from cyber attacks and online thieves.
1. Update Your Passwords Regularly
Do you use the same password for all websites and all your social media accounts?
Stop doing that as of right now!
With most of us having countless online accounts, we know it’s so much easier to use the same password for all of them. You don’t have to deal with writing them down, or constantly forgetting and needing to reset them.
But while this might be convenient for you, it will also be convenient for the hacker trying to steal your personal information.
To keep yourself protected, aim to choose a different password and a different username for each site you visit. Keep them somewhere safe and update them regularly.
2. Use A Good Antivirus Software
Don’t go a day without using an updated antivirus software on your computer!
If your computer gets attacked, cookies or saved passwords on your device could be stolen and used to gain access to your sensitive information. And even if these softwares might come with some financial costs, consider it as an investment into protecting your security.
3. Avoid Public Networks
When it comes to protecting your online security, public networks are one of your biggest threats.
Wondering why?
Because they offer hackers the ability to position themselves between you and the connection point. And while public networks might be useful for people that want to use WIFI for free, their lack of security comes with too high of a cost to pay. You can also use DNS Filters for best results.
The best solution is to use a VPN. Virtual public networks protect you from hackers who won’t be able to know anything about you even when using a public network.
4. Stop Oversharing Information On Social Media
Social media has changed the way we interact and communicate.
For many of us, posting pictures and information about our kids, home or holidays might be a way to keep friends and family updated with our lives. But what not many of you might know is that the sharing of even the simplest things offers hackers the possibility to track us. The solution is simple. Share as little information as possible on your Facebook or Instagram accounts, and choose to meet with your friends in person for keeping up with each other’s lives.
And if social media cybersecurity is something on your mind, a specialized internet privacy protection company could offer you the best advice and solutions to make online a safer place.
