As the internet has permeated our lives, dominating both social and economic aspects, there has also been a parallel increase in the number of cyberattacks. 2020 saw a rise in ransomware and phishing attacks, as cybercriminals aimed to step profit from the upheaval caused by, for example, the large numbers of people working from home.
A cyberattack feels like experiencing a natural disaster. There is an assumption it is something that happens to ‘other people’, and then suddenly it’s you or your business that feels the brunt of it.
It can be hard to get your money back after being scammed too, alongside the feeling of being violated. It’s a concerning trend, that’s for sure.
As technology has improved and advancements continually come to the fore, so too has the way in which cybercriminals operate. They have found new and innovative ways to exploit any online weaknesses, making it more important than ever before to make sure you and your computer is safe. Even then it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll never be breached, but it’s important to make life as hard as possible for any online criminals who might be sniffing around.
Sadly, anyone can fall victim to cyber criminality, especially these days where new and improved tactics are regularly used. If people aren’t aware of the latest trends around cyberattacks, how can they guard against them? One minute someone could have discovered you can play live casino in South Africa choosing from over 30 Live Dealer games at casino.com and enjoying a gaming session, only to open up a malicious email seconds later without much thought and without realising it open themselves and their computer up to a scam. It is scarily common, and it can happen to anyone.
Here are some helpful ways you can stay guarded against cyberattacks in 2021.
Use a full-service internet security suite
A full-service internet security suite essentially does all of the hard work for you and helps keep everything on your system up to date. For example, a popular security suite for many is Norton Security. This particular suite provides real-time protection; it will monitor your online movements, and help fight against any malicious software such as malware, ransomware and any harmful viruses. It also makes sure all your personal and private information is kept safe, too.
Always use strong passwords
It can be easy to get lazy with passwords, especially if you have multiple online accounts. That is a cybercriminal’s dream as weak passwords can be easily cracked. Make sure your passwords are as complex as possible, perhaps by using password management applications as they keep all of your passwords locked down and out of reach, as well being generally harder to crack also.
Always update your software
Always make sure your software is up to date, especially when it comes to your operating system and any security software you’ve added. Cybercriminals are known to test systems and seek any flaws in software, making it vitally important to make sure all of your security is up to date and
therefore harder to breach.
Manage your social media settings
Social media is another way in for hackers, especially in 2021. With that in mind, consider keeping all of your personal and private information hidden on any platforms you use. Better still, try to avoid sharing any information of that nature online at all. Avoid sharing images of your home address, alongside inadvertently sharing any information to any security questions you might have associated with an account. For example, if the answer to a particular security question is your mother’s maiden name, then make sure you never share that name online.
Strengthen your Wi-Fi security
Have you ever considered using a VPN? A VPN, which is a Virtual Private Network, is a solid option to help keep the criminals at bay, especially if you use public Wi-Fi. VPN networks encrypt all traffic leaving your devices, giving hackers nothing but encrypted data should they manage to gain access.