Secure internet surfing is essential to avoid nasty surprises and safeguard your data. Here's what to do to protect yourself from hackers
Hacker attacks are constantly on the rise and spare no device. In most cases it is the users themselves, with irresponsible behavior, who facilitate the task of cyber criminals. It is necessary to be aware of the risks, surfing in a safe way.
As difficult as it may seem, it is possible to protect yourself from hackers, reducing the chances of being affected. And in some cases, you just need to follow some basic rules. The Internet, moreover, is the place where there seems to be no privacy. Hiding completely, in fact, is almost impossible. The data accumulated by various sites is not always used in a malicious way. On the contrary, they are often used for advertising purposes. If you want, you can defend your personal data with simple tricks. Surfing the Internet safely is essential, therefore, to avoid nasty surprises and safeguard your information.
Change passwords
First of all, it is very important to change your passwords frequently, as well as to choose security keys that are complex and difficult to identify. Don't make the mistake of always using the same credentials to access multiple accounts. A possible compromise of a profile, in fact, would allow hackers to access other accounts. However, it is not always easy to manage multiple passwords. In such cases, password managers, programs that create and keep all our credentials, can be used.
Watch out for links
As mentioned before, hackers usually need the involuntary cooperation of victims to install malware. One of the most common deception techniques employed by cyber criminals are malicious links, which, if opened, can direct users' traffic to dangerous websites or download malicious software directly onto their machines. If you come across a suspicious link, avoid opening it. Above all, make sure you know the source of the link.
Limit public Wi-Fi
When finding an open Internet connection, most users do not think about the potential risks they may face. An unsecured network, in fact, is accessible to anyone. An ill-intentioned person could intercept the data transmission and appropriate the credentials. The advice is to limit the access to public Wi-Fi networks. If there is a "free" connection, it is better to disconnect from your accounts and avoid entering passwords or other personal data, such as bank information.
Change social network settings
Few people pay attention to the default settings of social networks. As a result, posted content can be viewed by everyone, even hackers. Therefore, it is important to change the privacy conditions, protecting images, posts and other confidential data from prying eyes. A cybercriminal, for example, could use this information to get to know the victim and make a scam credible.
Disable cookies
As you know, cookies are nothing more than tools used by sites to track users' web habits and customize advertisements in this way. But they are invasive to privacy. To prevent cookies from "following" us, especially those of third parties, simply disable them from your browser.
Logout of accounts
Leaving an account open, especially if the PC is used by other people, is dangerous for your personal data. It is essential to always remember to log out, that is, to exit the profile. And not only that. An active account can track our internet traffic and know what sites we are visiting. The advice is to stay on the site as long as you need to and then log out immediately afterwards.
Check Apps
Apps access a lot of confidential information on our devices. Some of this data is necessary for the app to work, others a little less so. It's always a good idea to read the terms of service before accepting and downloading the app. On Android, for example, you can still check and revoke permissions even after installing the app. If an app for reading ebooks also accesses GPS, something is not right. Be careful.
Updates
Many breaches exploit vulnerabilities to compromise victims' devices, such as exploits. The various manufacturers release update patches precisely to fix these flaws. Make sure you have the latest security updates installed.
VPN
We close with the last piece of advice. As anticipated, disappearing from the web is very difficult, but not impossible. One way to protect your privacy and personal data is to use VPN (Virtual Private Network), networks that encrypt your connection and hide your IP address.