We can try to be more secure and safeguard our individual accounts while operating in the digital world.
Cybersecurity is crucial for protecting sensitive information and preventing financial losses due to cyber-attacks.
It safeguards personal data, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure from unauthorized access and malicious activities.
A robust cybersecurity framework promotes economic growth by increasing trust and confidence in online transactions and digital services.
It also protects individuals’ and organizations’ reputations from the damage caused by cyber-attacks and data breaches.
In this article, we will be looking into how to stay safe online.
Safe Cybersecurity Tips
1. Avoid using simple-to-guess passwords such as your name, date of birth, or default standard password such as “password123”. A good password should combine Uppercase Letters, Lower Case Letters, Numbers, and Symbols
2. Make sure that all your accounts have the option of two-factor authorisation for the extra security measure.
3. It is also wise to avoid opening links or downloading attachments in suspicious emails or messages as it may be a phishing exercise.
4. Update your devices and software, so that hackers cannot take advantage of the unpatched bugs in them.
5. Be sure to install good antispyware to ensure your computers, laptops, tablets, or any other device is protected from spyware, viruses, or anything malicious on the Internet.
6. Avoid sharing your details on social sites as this information can be used by hackers in cyber-attacks.
7. Extremely do not use public WI-FI networks to conduct sensitive activities such as online banking or shopping since they are easily hacked.
8. Inform yourself of the internet fraud involving Nigeria such as advance fee fraud (419 scams), so that one can be able to identify them.
9. It is advised that you back up your important data regularly so that you do not lose your data in the event of an attack.
10. Trust your gut – if something looks fishy or if you are offered something that sounds too good to be true it probably is. It is also important that one should be very careful and alert especially when they are online.
11. Some of the ways that can help to enhance your home network security include changing the default router password and enabling network encryption including WPA2 or WPA3.
12. Do not entertain any kind of suspicious calls or messages that request you to provide information about yourself or your finances.
13. Make it a habit to check your privacy settings on your social media profiles and change them so that you are sharing very little about yourself.
14. Do not select pop-up advertisements or install a program from an unknown origin because they may include viruses or spyware.
15. Be on the lookout for phoney websites that imitate real websites to get users to input their details. This is particularly important because people usually input their data and any other information that is significant for further cooperation on the site, so the URL should be checked to avoid getting into a trap.
16. People should be wary of suspicious work-from-home schemes which offer good-paying jobs with little work to be done. In case a prospective employer asks for personal information or money, check the validity of the offer in the company first.
17. You should also check your accounts and statements consistently and look for signs of fraud like unauthorised purchases, or alterations of the accounts’ particulars.
18. Spend money on cybersecurity products such as security software, firewalls, and antivirus software that will assist you and your family members to be safe online.
Conclusion.
Do not forget that cybersecurity is not a one-time thing, and you should always be on the lookout for measures needed to protect yourself online.
Learn More: Nigerian Cybersecurity: Protecting Against Online Threats
