Digital security has never been more important than it is now. In today’s technology-infused world where the cyber-threat landscape is constantly evolving, staying safe online and protecting our data is an absolute necessity. As we spend more time online, we’re often creating and sharing more of our data. And if this data falls into the wrong hands, private and financial information could be at risk. So, for businesses and individuals alike, protecting sensitive data is critical.
In a business landscape which is slowly gravitating towards a predominantly digital way of doing business, new threats targeting specifically electronic information are forcing companies to reevaluate their entire security processes to also include these digital risks. Today’s mobile users need more robust security to address ever-increasing threats to device security and privacy.
Most individuals and small businesses also use their smartphones and laptops to login into their emails and social media pages. With each day that passes, we are adding some data to our digital footprints through our mobile devices, making it easy for hackers to target us. As the list of potential threats can seem endless and many cyberattacks may hit closer to home than we think.
These issues require security authentication solutions that are designed to provide a multidimensional suite of security technologies, engineered for efficiency in today’s complex mobile environment. Authentication is the means of verifying an individual is who they claim to be. It’s so important that user authentication is a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity. The traditional method for user authentication credentials has been usernames and passwords. As the use of passwords grew due to the popularity of websites and internet services, cyber attackers leveraged weak and redundant use of passwords across multiple sites to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
Going beyond the password, factors have increased to include the use of a PIN, a one-time password (OTP), facial recognition, and even biometrics. Many security solutions are designed to safeguard the ever-evolving mobile device by offering multilevel protection against security threats including biometric security and real-time malware detection.
You can now secure your access with face and touch ID with a touch of a finger or one glance at your smartphone. The face authentication system is commonly used for unlocking and protection of data and is based on true depth system, specialized neural network, and mechanisms that adapt over time to changes on user’s face. The system acquires information through the mix of sensors: an infrared sensor, flood illuminator, and dot projector. All these exquisite technologies effectively raised the bar of biometric security standards, making the chances of a random person unlocking your device 20 times higher.
Despite the wide range of modern security solutions, your privacy can still be hijacked, breached or compromised as the confluence of multiple factors increases the challenge for attackers.
Stated below are easy cybersecurity tips for keeping your personal information secure and to provide an insight into the modern security environment.
Be Cautious of Links
Links in emails are a common tool used by hackers to trick individuals into giving up their secure information. This is often in the form of banking statements, flight reservations, password recovery emails, and more.
If a user clicks on one of these links, they are taken to a fake site that looks eerily similar to its real counterpart. The site will ask them to login or input private information. Once a hacker has their hands on this information they have access to the user’s account.
So, be aware of the links in your emails. If something looks suspicious, don’t click on it. The safest bet is to visit a provider’s site directly as opposed to using an email link.
Use a Password Manager
A password manager is a software or program that keeps all your passwords in one place. You have one “master key” password to unlock access to these passwords. With a password manager, you won’t have to worry about remembering each of your passwords. It will also keep you from having to write passwords down.
LastPass, KeePass, Dashlane, 1Password, and Roboform are all good programs. Many offer free versions, and some are free. And, if you use Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or the like, you can save the password database on your cloud drive and it will be accessible anywhere.
Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication
Without multi-factor authentication (MFA) set up, a user can access their account with only a username and password. But, MFA adds another layer of protection. It requires more than one method of authentication to verify a user’s identity for login.
One example of MFA is when a user logs in to a website and must enter an additional one-time password. This one-time password will typically be sent to the user’s email or phone. Setting up MFA creates a layered defence, making it more difficult for an unauthorized person to access your information.
Avoid Using Debit Cards Online
Another important cybersecurity tip revolves around making online payments. When you make an online payment, avoid using debit cards, or anything tied directly to your bank account.
Instead, use options that give an extra layer of protection between hackers and your bank accounts. This could be a credit card with insurance or a type of online payment method like PayPal.
Don’t Save Payment Information
A lot of websites allow you to save your credit card information to make future buying faster and easier. Don’t do it. Breaches happen all the time. There’s nothing to steal if your credit card isn’t saved on the site. It may seem like a hassle, but it’s not as bad as having your information stolen.
Keep Your Systems Up to Date
Your software, operating system, and the browser should always be up to date. If your business uses a firewall, your firewall software and firmware should also be up to date. The older a system is, the more time hackers have had to try and find vulnerabilities. By updating your systems, you will prevent malware or hackers from exploiting those security weaknesses.
So, next time you see that system update pop-up, don’t ignore it!
Avoid Unknown Sites
In this age of social media, it’s easy to share a link online. But, exercise caution when visiting new sites. These sites may carry “drive-by download attacks” that can threaten your data.
With a drive-by download attack, a user doesn’t even have to click on anything for their computer to get infected. Just visiting a site is enough to pass on malicious code. So, it’s best to stick to well-established sites you know and trust.
Be Careful on Social Media
Social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. But, be aware of what you are sharing online. Criminals and hackers can learn a lot of information about you by observing your public profile. And just like you wouldn’t share all your personal information with a stranger, you shouldn’t share it all online either.
Install Anti-Virus Software
Viruses, spyware, malware, phishing attacks, and more. There are so many ways in which your data can be compromised. Installing anti-virus software on your device will help combat these attacks. Make sure the software is active and up to date, and it should prevent digital security threats before they even happen.
Avoid Unnecessary Downloads
Downloads are a prime tactic hackers use to gain access to your network. To protect your computer and your data, limit your downloads. Any unnecessary software or browser extensions should be avoided. And in an organization, employees should need authorization before downloading anything from the internet.
If you deem a download safe, always choose a custom install and watch carefully. If any add-ons or extensions pop up during automatic installations, decline them.
Be Overly Suspicious
Although many things online are secure, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be aware of any links you are clicking, the software you are downloading, and sites you are visiting. Keeping a little healthy paranoia towards email, social media, and the internet can help you catch things that would otherwise slip by.
Healthy suspicion remains the best course of defence, as generating a healthy level of suspicion by employees when it comes to clicking on email links or giving up user credentials creates a partnership with the security team rather than building fences and an adversarial relationship. Provide employees with the knowledge and tools to be successful, such as password managers to generate strong, unique credentials in their personal and work activities. Consider several factors for employees to select from that adapt to their lifestyle with an understanding that a minimal level of authorization is necessary to gain access to sensitive data.