Four Security Tips to Keep You Safe Online

The internet is becoming an increasingly dangerous neighbourhood: digital marketers want to buy your private data and hackers want to steal it. In this four article-series, we share tips and tricks so that you can keep your data safe while browsing the web. Here are our first four tips for protecting your information online.

1. Encrypt Your Passwords

These days, dealing with the ever-growing list of passwords required to log in to many websites has led many web browsers to save and automatically fill passwords for us. While convenient, this can be a goldmine for hackers who want to steal your login details.

Fortunately, there are some security steps you can take to protect data saved in your password chain. Firefox, for example, allows you to set an encrypted master password to add an extra level of protection to your password chain. Also consider password management software like LastPass or Dashlane that securely store (and auto-fill) your passwords and other sensitive data.

2. Keep Your Data Private

Never forget that if you’re not paying for a product on the internet, you are the product. That means social media platforms and other apps that provide their service for “free” will often sell your data to make a buck. This data can also be valuable to hackers engaging in phishing or identity theft. Audit all the online platforms and apps you’re using, and review the permissions you’ve granted. Also, read their terms and conditions and privacy policies to determine what data they are sharing with third parties. What you find might surprise you.

3. Use Two-Step Verification

Wherever possible, use two-step verification to stop potentially malicious parties from logging into your social media, banking and other online accounts. For example, once you’ve turned on the “login approval” function, Facebook will start sending you a notification with a unique passcode every time someone tries to access your account from a new computer or device. Likewise, you can set up your Windows account so it sends a confirmation approval to your phone every time you attempt to log in.

4. Opt for Secure VPN Connections

Hackers can use unsecured Wi-Fi connections to access your device and cause all sorts of havoc. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you often have no idea how the connection is protected, or if it is protected at all.

Using a secure VPN (virtual private network) connection will help you to bridge security between your device and your corporate servers by encrypting communications. VPNs ensure better confidentiality of the information you exchange on the internet. They are essential to keeping prying eyes away from your passwords, bank accounts, credit card numbers and other private and highly sensitive data. Many security providers, such as SonicWall, include VPN services in their product offerings.

One Down, Three to Go

Are you concerned about the security of your data? For more tips on data security, read the second article in this four-article series: Four Simple Tips for Protecting Your Data. You can also download our ebook on corporate IT security. It contains many easily applicable tips to secure your technological devices. For any questions, do not hesitate to contact our security experts at: security@kezber.com