The world continues to trend the new part of advancements in technology. Means of doing things have moved to digital format; in the same vein, cybersecurity also arises. Individuals, business cooperation, and government send a huge amount of money to protect their data.
Did you know that, according to The Guardian, Cybercrime costs the US economy 100 billion dollars a year? Also, the WHO reported a dramatic increase in the number of cyber-attacks.
What do hackers do?
Hackers have various intentions for what they do. Hacking is not always in a negative light.
- We have a record of anonymous going after ISIS.
- Sometimes, companies pay hackers to find flaws in their systems to fix them.
- In most cases, hackers want to steal, alter, or delete information on your devices.
- Hackers access these data without creating awareness of the security breach.
- It is wrong to think hackers attack only target banks, government, celebrities. You can be their target; yes, some can come for your research results, private pictures, videos, even hacking those banks and websites can affect you.
- Some hackers sell data to mobs.
Read through this informative post to find out ways to protest yourself. Even hackers are always on the lookout for tips like this because they can be hacked by other hackers.
20 Ways to Protect Yourself from Hackers
Protecting yourself from hackers will require a little effort from you. Hackers have different intentions ranging from financial crimes, vandalism, hacktivism, and corporate espionage. Despite the prevalence of computer hackers, we still have to use our digital devices to order, engage with friends, and perform other critical operations.
We have combined 20 tips that will help protect yourself from hackers.
1. Install or Update Your Antivirus Software
Viruses remain the main weapon of hackers. Antivirus software protects your devices and detects real-time threats and help protect yourself from hackers.
Hackers continue to improve virus, so you need to update your antivirus software, although some advance provides automatic updates. We recommend
- Bitdefender
- panda
- Free Antivirus
- Malwarebytes
- and Avast; any of them will protect from threats.
Ensure you run or schedule regular virus scans.
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2. Complex Passwords
Complex passwords will make it harder for intruders to invade your system. Complex passwords will require a minimum of 8 characters; they should be a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and computer symbols.
Don’t generate passwords from your birthday, phone number, or other information directly connected to you; information like this is easy to access nowadays. If you have trouble remembering passwords that are too complex, use password managers, such as
- Stricky Password
- Password Boss
- Dashiane.
3. Be Guarded on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi mostly does not transfer information shared via it in encrypted form. Data shared using Public Wi-Fi is prone to packet sniffers that intercept data. Your unencrypted data can be harvested by a malicious individual.
We advise that you don’t transfer or access sensitive files such as online banking, email, or setting up social media account using public Wi-Fi.
4. Don’t Download Email Attachments
An email with a .exe or .zip file extension is often a hackers’ tool. To protect yourself from getting hacked, if the mail is not expected, reach out to the person before your download. Suppose any of your associates or workplace has been hacked. In that case, their device can be used to send deceiving emails with infected files.
5. Use a Firewall
Firewalls are software designed to serve as a barrier between the outside world and your information. A firewall is built-in for windows and macOS. Still, you have to enable it so that you will be alert of any intrusion attempts.
If you need a more robust firewall, then purchase from Cisco or Sophos; they are known to offer Quality Hardware Firewall.
6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication was developed to serve as a second layer of security from hackers. Many sites and apps require you to enter a numerical code that can be sent to either your email address or phone, depending on your choice.
Without this, hackers cannot access your account.
7. Don’t Reuse Your Email Password
Most hackers target your email. Once your email is compromised, you already have a critical problem. The password to most of your online accounts can be reset from your email.
Think of anything you have attached to this email that can now be accessed; from your banking details to your password manager. As we already highlighted in number 2, use a complex password, and don’t reuse your email’s password.
8. Install an Anti-spyware Package
Spyware is also one of the weapons of hackers. Spywares are software that records keystrokes (secretly keep a record of your passwords and other sensitive data that you input). Spyware is commonly difficult to detect and difficult to remove.
Spyware sometimes pops up unwanted ads that redirect you to malicious websites. Anti-spyware packages offer protection by scanning incoming information and blocking threats. It sometimes
9. Encrypt Your Hard Drive
Depending on the nature of the information you intend to protect, you need encryption to get extra protection. If hackers find their way into your network and files, encryption can prevent them from accessing any of that information. BitLocker and FileVault will be wise choices.
10. Shop on Encrypted Websites
Shopping online or making payment online most time are the loopholes hackers leverage to hack. Since you will be required to enter your card details, which is very sensitive.
Ensure that the website is encrypted; check to verify that an unbroken key symbol is shown on your browser and ‘http’ change to ‘https’.
11. Ignore Pop-Ups
Malicious software is sometimes designed to appear as ads. When these malicious wares pop up, it tricks you into verifying or inputting certain information, which will grant hackers access to your protected data.
12. Trust Your Instinct
Yes, trust your instinct. When you feel the impulse to block, avoid, or deny access to information, please, do. Instinct direction comes from buildup information that can naturally spot malicious tools.
13. Don’t Store Your Card Details on Websites
Most secure websites run encrypt communication and put resources into protecting the details you save with them. Cloud security has reduced the number of recent successful mass data breaches.
We know mass stealing of credit card details is fast becoming a thing of the past, but why take the risk? Take that extra 1 min to enter your card details each time.
14. Use Passwords on Your Devices
Most people see hacking as something that always requires high-level skills. Misconceptions like this make us focus on securing every order thing than the first line of defense. Set up a password for your phone, tablet, and PC. Most new devices have fingerprint scanning technology which decreases the stress on input digits or characters.
15. Clear Your Browsing History
Browsing history, cookies, and cached files are designed to improve the service websites, and the browser renders. It has also been found resource full for a potential hacker. Even mobile web browsers have these features.
Clear out your browsing history, including cookies and cached files. If your browser features deactivation of storing browsing history, then enable it.
16. Constantly Update Apps, OS, and Browser
Updating your browser will not only bring improved user experience but also security. Most updated versions of the app, OS, and browser have solved some security breaches observed or reported by the previous version.
Today’s web browsers are increasingly sophisticated, especially in privacy and security. Be sure to review your browser security settings in addition to installing all-new updates.
17. Shut It Down
Experts advise that devices that are not in use should always be switch off. If your devices are not in use over the weekend or extended period, switch it off.
When you shut down your device, it breaks any connection a hacker may have established with your network and disrupts any possible mischief.
18. Run Multiple Email Accounts
Creating multiple emails is not illegal. Create as much as you need. We advise you to use one email for related things; one email for all social media accounts, and another for shopping online. It will be safer not to use the email you use in shopping for your financial accounts.
19. Be Careful With Auction Sites
One quick indicator of possible malicious activity on auction sites is too cheap deals. If you are a regular fan of auction sites, create a separate account, and regularly change your passwords.
20. Read Articles Like This
Cybercriminals are always on their toes; you need to check out articles to keep yourself safe from hackers. We are dedicated to helping you with survival tips.
Check out more guides with tips, tricks and more on saving yourself from hackers and cyber crime HERE
Conclusion
Hacking and cybercrime only make the news a few times a month but leave victims with long-lasting impacts. You must have learned that hackers do not target only big firms or celebrities, anyone can be their victims.
These 20 tips will help secure your information. Low-income earners and small businesses can focus really on these tips.
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