7 Tips for Online Security and Privacy

As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the online world, it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect your security and privacy. However, with new threats emerging all the time, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Fortunately, there are straightforward best practices you can implement to significantly reduce your risks online. 

By taking a proactive approach and following cybersecurity experts’ advice, you can browse, shop, and share online with much greater peace of mind. With a mix of vigilance, common sense habits, and taking advantage of security tools at your disposal, securing your data and identity online is very achievable.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Creating strong, unique passwords is one of the first lines of defense for your online accounts. Avoid common passwords like “123456” or “password” that are easy for hackers to guess. Instead, use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Using a distinct password for each of your accounts makes it harder for hackers to access multiple accounts if one password is compromised.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security beyond your password. With 2FA enabled, you’ll need to provide two forms of identification to access your account – typically your password plus an authentication code sent to your phone or email. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your accounts even if they have your password. Major sites like Gmail, Facebook, and banking apps now offer 2FA.

3. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

While public Wi-Fi is convenient, it also poses security risks. Hackers can more easily access data sent over public networks. When using public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive accounts like banking or email. Stick to general web browsing instead. For extra security, use a VPN to encrypt your connection when on public networks. When you are traveling and you need to use such public Wi-Fi networks, you should use VPN for travel that can be used anywhere in the world.

4. Update Your Devices and Software

Maintaining devices and software with the latest updates is critical for security. Updates often contain important security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers could exploit. Set your devices and apps to automatically install updates when available. This ensures you always have the most secure versions installed.

5. Back Up Your Data

No online security measures are 100% foolproof. To prepare for the worst, consistently back up your important data. Cloud backup services and external hard drives provide off-site and offline storage. If your devices fail or get hacked, you’ll still have access to your valuable photos, documents, and other personal data.

6. Beware of Phishing Attempts

Phishing involves emails, calls, or texts pretending to be from trusted sources in order to steal your personal information. These messages may look legitimate but actually contain malicious links or attachments. Carefully check the sender address on any unexpected messages before clicking or downloading anything. When in doubt, contact the organization directly rather than replying to a suspicious message.

7. Manage Your Online Privacy

Beyond security measures, managing your online privacy is key. Social media accounts can reveal extensive personal details to strangers or even hackers. Set your profiles to private, limit sharing of personal information, and prune friends/followers lists. Disable location tracking in apps and limit ad tracking where possible. Read privacy policies to understand how websites and apps use your data.