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Did you know that most people are at risk of a security breach at home or work not because of intelligent hackers but because of horrible cybersecurity habits? Employers would continually educate staff on the best practices regarding cybersecurity. Not only will it protect the individual, but it will also protect the company they work for. Here are the top seven lousy cybersecurity habits that you should be aware of and avoid:
Not Securing Personal Information
Protecting your personal information is the most important thing you can do to maintain an excellent cyber security posture. There are several ways to protect your personal information. You should use a password manager, two-factor authentication, and strong encryption for sensitive data like financial records. It’s essential to change all your passwords immediately if you have been hacked and contact any companies whose services were affected. Third-party security risk management best practices are there to ensure that your personal information is protected first.
Using a Weak Password
Using a weak password is a massive cyber security risk. Hackers can easily guess these passwords and gain access to your accounts. They often use intelligent software to try the most accessible combinations until they crack the code. Password managers are recommended, as they generate strong passwords for you and remember them all in one place. You should use a long password that is hard to guess and change it regularly. Additionally, do not use the same password for multiple accounts because if one gets hacked or compromised, all of your other charges will be at risk. You must avoid common dictionary words that everyone knows about, as well as personal information such as birthdays, since these are easy for hackers to find out about online.
Posting Too Much Personal Info on Social Media
Do you know those quizzes on social media that ask you all kinds of questions about your life? Hackers often use these to gain access to your personal and work information. You may be eager to share your life with your friends, but oversharing can make you a target. Use wisdom when posting online, and keep your personal information as private as possible.
Providing Financial Info via Text or Email
You should never provide personal financial information via text or email. Neither of these communication methods is end-to-end encrypted, and sharing this information in the wrong format can put you at risk. This goes for sharing your credit card number, PIN, bank account number, and Social Security number. If you’re asked to share any of this information in an email or text message, it’s likely a scam. If you believe someone is trying to scam you by pretending to be from your bank or another trusted organization, hang up immediately and call the company directly. This can protect your credit cards and your business ones as well.
Using Unsecured Public WiFi
Free public WiFi sounds like a great idea until it isn’t. Using unsecured public WiFi is a bad cybersecurity habit. That’s because anyone in the range of the network can access your data by intercepting it, or even worse, they can take control of your device. To protect yourself from this attack, make sure you’re using a VPN (a virtual private network) when connecting to any unsecured networks—public or private. A VPN encrypts all data before it leaves your computer, so hackers cannot see what you’re up to on that insecure network.
If, for some reason using a VPN isn’t an option for you, then be careful not to click on any suspicious links or download anything from sites like those that host pirated movies or music. One option is to bring along a personal WiFi hotspot that is password protected to help keep your devices safer.
Not Changing Default Settings on Your Home Router
Changing default settings on your home router is a simple way to ensure you are safe from cybercriminals. Your router is the gateway to your entire home network and must have robust security features in place. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to change their router passwords or keep up with updates. It’s essential to read through the manual to learn better ways to secure your home network to protect you whether you work from home or use your network for personal reasons.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a serious issue, and it’s essential to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from hackers. If you want to keep your data safe from cybercriminals, then make sure that you avoid these terrible cybersecurity habits when using online services or devices.
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