Internet security sometimes does not need to be as complex and some blogs make it out to be. There are 4 main steps you can take that will prevent cyber attackers from even bothering trying to target your devices.
We lay them out in an easy-to-read guide below:
Secure Your Password (The most obvious)
There is no excuse for a weak password these days. If your password is weak, then you are asking for trouble. Don’t say you were not warned, and this perhaps the 100th time you have heard this. Simply thing of a 10-letter word that no one else would know – we all have them.
Something that no one else could associate you with. And no not your dog’s strange name, because a hacker is stalking you, he/she probably has all your pet’s names from social media if you use it. Now, make your password at least 10 characters in length with numbers, exclamation marks, and try to replace letters with numbers. This way it is impossible for even the most intelligent systems to crack your password.
Always use 2FA Authentications
Two-factor-authentication is a godsend. It has stopped so many cyber frauds over time. Even when your password is compromised, there is still one more step for authentication to be approved. This can be a message sent to your email, an SMS which is one of the safest, or an unlock code sent to your phone which is the same 2FA used by Google.
Most people who have 2FA enabled will see the message or an email saying authentication failed, and this is like a warning system to say that your password was hacked, and it is time to change it.
Using VPNs For Streaming and Privacy
For those of you that like to stream from free websites, most of these sites are free for a reason. They are hubs for spyware and all kinds of other malicious content that can run havoc on your device. However, if you use a VPN, not only do you benefit from encryption, the VPN server itself will have sophisticated anti-spyware and anti-virus that will prevent most bugs from getting into your system. A great place to find VPN options is reviewsdir.
Anti-Virus Software
The final step for protecting your device is having an anti-virus software program installed. One that not only prevents viruses but one that also scans your entire device and alerts you of and then cleans your device of any malicious viruses or spyware. There are tons of free options out there, but none are as good as the paid version which will set you back a very small monthly fee. In fact, you will find that many of the VPN software providers offer both VPNs and anti-viruses with their subscriptions these days.
Rounding Up This Guide to Online Security
Your first line of defense is using a strong password, so this does not get backed. You should then use 2FA which will alert you in case someone gets hold of your password. You should use a VPN if you are connecting to websites that could have malicious content on them, while finally, your last line of defense is anti-virus software so you can detect and erase any potential threats on your device. With these 4 tools on your device, cyber attackers are sent packing.