Bad online habits that make you vulnerable.
What a joy. Information, shopping and entertainment is all just a click away. We live in exciting times, don’t we? In an instant, your loved ones who are many miles away are right on your screen, laughing and catching up about everything. There’s no need to drag yourself to the mall: there’s an app for that.
There has to be a catch, and there is. The digital age may bring about a world of convenience, but it also brings about things that cause you harm.
Theft, fraud and deception are crimes that run rampant on the internet. It’s no longer just big companies at risk – you are too.
I never click on weird links.
That’s great, it really is. The one thing most people are vulnerable to when it comes to cybercrimes are dodgy links. No matter how cautious you are, cybercriminals seem to figure out new and ingenious ways to trick you. HTTP and HTTPS may seem like they’re the same thing, but they’re not. That one letter could be the difference between you getting hacked or not. It’s important to check and stay on HTTPS sites, especially when asked to provide personal information.
Yay! This place has free Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi really does make the world a better place. It’s even better when it’s free. Better is not, however, always best. When it comes to your online security, one of the easiest ways to make yourself vulnerable is to use a public Wi-Fi network.
This may sound like tech genius lingo but it really isn’t. It’s this thing called a Virtual Private Network(VPN). It’s a bodyguard that escorts you from general seating to VIP and makes sure that no unwanted people can get through. A Virtual Private Network(VPN) protects your device whether you’re in public, your house, or the office.
I’ll update it tomorrow.
The update pop up seems tedious, so you’re always telling it to remind you later. You’ll eventually forget about it. Cybercriminals aren’t as forgetful and won’t miss the chance to pounce. The best thing to do is to set auto-updates to make sure that the burden of remembering is not something you have to worry about.
Two is better than one.
Even if you think you have the most cryptic passwords, it is not enough. It needs reinforcement to deal with the many tricks hackers have at their fingertips. When it comes to two-factor authentication, never ever opt out. It’s a second wall of defence, just in case cybercriminals find a way to break through your impenetrable cryptic password.
These are just a few of the ways you can protect yourself and your family on the internet. There are times when even the utmost diligence is not enough, when a simple mistake or click leads to further repercussions. In those moments, that is when you will need Cyber Rescue from Bidvest Insurance. Get in touch with Bidvest Insurance to find out how you can be covered from cybercriminals.
