Cyber Threats Are Everywhere - 10 Ways to Protect Yourself Before it Gets Worse

Cyber Threats Are Everywhere – 10 Ways to Protect Yourself Before it Gets Worse

It’s been a wild year for the cybersecurity industry.

In just the first half of 2018 alone, several massive data breaches and targeted hacks made international headlines. Collectively, these high-profile incidents compromised the personal data of tens of millions of regular Internet users. You could be among them and not know it.

Believe it or not, that’s the good news. The bad news: things could get a whole lot worse, and fast. Motivated by ideology, revenge, or plain old greed, malicious cyber whizzes are working furiously as you read this to crack the defenses that keep your most sensitive secrets safe.

Plenty of “white hat” whizzes are working just as hard to stay one step ahead, fighting countless skirmishes as part of an eternal, ever-escalating war. Unfortunately, they can’t win every battle.

That’s where you come in. If you’re serious about protecting your personal information online — and you probably wouldn’t be reading this were you not — then you need to take proactive measures to stay safe in an increasingly dangerous digital world. Think of it as practicing good “cyber hygiene,” just like you do in the real world.

Not sure how to start? Follow these 10 tips now to protect yourself against present threats — and future dangers that we can’t possibly imagine.

1. Scan Your System for Bloatware, Spyware, and Other Deleterious Programs

Use a reputable anti-malware program to scan your system and connected devices for harmful or unnecessary apps.

Even brand new devices come pre-loaded with all sorts of extra goodies that you don’t really need, notes Computerworld contributor Preston Gralla. These out-of-the-box apps are known collectively as “bloatware,” and they can muck up your system’s performance right out of the gate. Some may contain malicious code, as well, especially in devices purchased on the secondary market.

You’ll need to run these scans regularly, as apps downloaded with or without your consent can threaten your system at any time. Some “spyware” programs collect and transmit sensitive data, including keystrokes — setting you up for compromise down the line.

2. Keep Your Anti-malware Software Up to Date

Make sure your anti-malware program is current and comprehensive. Don’t put off updates, even if they put your computer out of commission for a few minutes. With hackers working overtime to devise new ways to steal your data, maintaining this crucial first line of defense is imperative.

3. Invest in Quality Ransomware Protection

Ransomware is a mushrooming threat from which no one is truly safe. Attackers lock users out of compromised devices until the users pay a ransom, usually in hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. These ransoms often reach well into three-figure territory.

Worse, there’s no guarantee that the attackers will make good on their end of the bargain after they’re compensated. Most operate outside the jurisdiction of the United States, safe from the long arm of the law.

The best way to protect yourself against ransomware is to invest in quality ransomware protection that blocks attacks, backs up your files, and isolates your most important data from intruders.

4. Surf With a Virtual Private Network

A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts the data you send and receive while browsing the Internet, obscuring your activity from prying eyes. Even if you’re not entering your credit card data, passwords, or Social Security number, VPNs ensure privacy and anonymity — no matter what you’re up to. The good news is, plenty of VPNs cost nothing to download and use.

5. Never Click Links in Emails, Even If You Know the Sender

This is a hard habit to erase, it’s true. Unfortunately, malicious email links are among the most common vectors for malware and data theft around — and the scam emails in which they’re embedded are growing more sophisticated by the week.

In fact, it’s safest never to click an emailed link, even if you (think) you know the sender. Their email account could be compromised already, co-opted into spamming out hundreds or thousands of identical “phishing” emails.

6. Never Send Money in Response to an Emailed Request

The same principle applies to emailed requests for money and sensitive data. These requests may be cleverly disguised “spear phishing” scams targeting individuals gatekeeping high-value information, such as a corporate bank account number or login credentials. Sophisticated hackers may compromise the email account of a high-ranking executive, then email a request for money or information to an underling — who, naturally, feels pressured to provide it.

7. Use a Search Engine That Protects Your Privacy

You’ve probably heard rumblings about Google’s sketchy privacy practices. Some of the more sensational claims about what Google does and doesn’t do with your data may not hold water, but you’d be well within your rights to explore alternatives to Google’s search engine and apps. “Privacy-first” search engines, like Duck Duck Go, provide peace of mind and may protect your searches from compromise.

8. Never Make Online Purchases or Transmit Other Sensitive Information on Non-Secure Websites

Here’s a simple rule of thumb: if the website you’re on doesn’t have a secure certificate, don’t enter any sensitive information. That means passwords, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, your home address — anything you’d prefer didn’t fall into the wrong hands. Most browsers show website security certificates in the upper left corner of the URL bar.

9. Use a “Burner” Credit Card

If your credit profile allows, get a second credit card to use only for online purchases. That way, if it’s compromised, it won’t affect your day-to-day spending activities.

10. Never Re-use Passwords or Login Credentials

Sure, it’s easy to remember your password when you use the same one for every single account you own. But that’s not good password hygiene. Whenever you create a new account, create a new password, and change your existing passwords regularly too. Keep all this information in a safe place.

Are You Protected?

If it’s not abundantly clear by now, the cyber threat landscape is going to get worse before it gets better — if that ever happens. In the months and years to come, we may look back on the current period as the calm before the storm.

Responsible digital citizens must take matters into their own hands. You owe it to yourself and your family to arm up with the latest cyber defenses and follow all best practices recommended by cybersecurity experts. Yes, even if it means changing how you surf the web or communicate online.

Your digital safety is too important to compromise.