Surfing online also means being able to protect your privacy, avoiding some dangerous practices. Here's what to do
Cyber attacks are constantly on the rise, and if hackers manage to carry out their misdeeds, it's also the fault of the victims themselves, who don't do enough to protect their personal data online. As a result, cyber criminals have an easy time stealing users' personal information.
As much as fighting hackers has become a priority, nothing can be done against users' superficiality. There is still a large segment of people who do not pay enough attention to the dangers hiding on the web and who engage in wicked behavior. There are those, for example, who share passwords and other credentials on the internet. Others, on the other hand, have no qualms about filling out online application forms, entering a lot of confidential information. Some then click on suspicious links and attachments. And not only that. There are also users who make purchases on dubious internet platforms without https protocol.
Surfing online also means being able to protect your privacy, avoiding some dangerous practices.
Simple passwords
Despite the banality of the advice, many users still continue to choose very simple passwords. According to a study, in fact, 123456 is one of the most used passwords. And not only that. Access keys based on one's date of birth are also common. Considering that most people make it public when they came into the world on social, for hackers guessing these passwords is child's play. Many experts recommend using unique and complex credentials. One solution might also be to rely on password managers, programs that generate and guard secure passwords.
Always use the same password
Another mistake to avoid like the plague is always using the same password. The reason is obvious. If hackers managed to breach one of our profiles, they could also access other online accounts. It is important, therefore, to use multiple credentials. Be careful, though: passwords must be complex.
Public Wi-Fi networks
It's hard to resist the temptation to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, especially when cellular traffic is limited. You should be aware that free connections can be very dangerous for personal data. Since they are not protected, hackers could intercept the data transmission. It is very important in these cases to never access your accounts - such as your bank account - while using a public Wi-Fi network. Also avoid entering passwords and other private information. Also remember to log out of all active profiles.
Links and email attachments
As already mentioned, there are some people who unwisely open links and attachments that come with suspicious emails. The risks are very high. A link could hide malware or lead to dangerous sites. Just as a document could contain a virus. Beware also of fake emails, but artfully replicated to look official. The main goal is to lead victims to enter their data on platforms run by hackers.
Data Sharing
If you want to protect your data from hackers, avoid sharing passwords and other credentials online. Again, the reasons are simple. Let's assume one of the many possible scenarios. If your friend's cell phone was stolen, anyone could access the chat where you sent the login details of an account. And then who's to say that the device of the person to whom you sent the confidential information hasn't been hit by malware? No one. As a general rule, therefore, it is better not to share confidential data on the Internet, even with the most trusted people.
Urbi et Orbi Communications
If you are going on vacation, don't post it on social networks. You'd be doing thieves a big favor, although it's hard to resist the temptation to tell the world that you're finally on vacation and about to go to your dream destination.
Social Settings
Many people don't know that leaving the default privacy settings on social networks is very dangerous for personal data. An attacker could view pictures, watch videos or read other sensitive information. Often all this data is used by hackers to get an idea of the person to be deceived and make a scam attempt credible. Not to mention those who steal images and reuse them on other sites, even illegal ones.