Ten ways to help protect yourself against cybercrime

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In this digital era, cybercrime is a continuous threat. We may know only one kind of cybercrime: hackers accessing our financial information. But this is not the only thing; there are several hacking concerns that these basic ones. Cybercrime is evolving, with the latest threats every new year.

To save yourself from this chaos, it’s better to identify cybercrime, which can be your first step in securing yourself and the data. Some primary precautions like who to reach out to when you sense some criminal activities online also play a huge role.

You may want to eliminate cybercrime, but in reality, you can’t; what you can do is take precautions to help you protect yourself from this chaos. Here is how you can do it;

All individuals using the internet should execute some precautions against a range of cybercrimes waiting for you outside;

·        Opt for a full-service security suite

Some platforms like Norton Security and others can provide you with real-time protection against all possible current and upcoming malware, including viruses and ransomware. It protects both financial and private information as soon as you go online.

·        Update your software regularly.

This is particularly essential for your operating system and internet security software. Cybercriminals usually opt for known flaws available in the software to access your system. Repairing such imperfections and exploits reduce your chances of becoming a victim of cybercrime.

·        Go for strong passwords.

Avoid setting the same passwords on different websites; keep regularly changing the passwords. Use complex combinations of letters, symbols, and numbers. In this way, hackers won’t be able to guess the password easily. Moreover, use a password management application so that it can secure your passwords.

·        Look after your social media settings.

Secure your private and personal information. Social engineering cybercriminals are present that can access personal data in just a few seconds, so the less you reveal publicly, the better it is. For example, if you put up a post with your pet’s name or announce your mom’s maiden name, this might hint at the standard security questions that one has to answer.

·        Educate your child about the internet 

Teach your kids about the acceptable access and use of the internet; restricting them from these communication channels will bring no good. Ensure they can reach out to you if they face any cyber harassment, bullying, or stalking.

·        Make your home network strong.

It’s an excellent option, to begin with, a VPN and a strong encryption password. VPN helps you encrypt the entire traffic from your device until it reaches the destination. If cybercriminals hack the communication line, they won’t be able to intercept anything. It is advisable to opt for a VPN, especially if you plan to use public WiFi in any hotel, public library, or airport.

·        Keep yourself updated on security breaches.

If you are doing business with some merchant or have established an account on any website that has been affected by a security breach, look out for information that hackers exploited and go and change the password immediately.

·        Take measures and secure yourself from identity theft

Identify theft is when an individual unlawfully obtains your personal information in a way that includes deception or fraud, usually for monetary gain. You can be tricked and end up giving your personal info on the internet; for example, a thief can steal the mail and access your account data.

Therefore, it is essential to protect personal data; in this regard, a VPN again can help protect the data you receive and send online, that too when using the internet on any public WiFi.

·        Supervise your kids

Protect your children from identity theft. Identity theft masters also target kids, and this is because their credit histories and social security number are absolutely clean. You can protect the kids by being careful when you plan to share their info. It is also better to analyze and look for hints that indicate that the child’s identity is compromised.

·        Know what steps to take when you become a victim

If you sense that you have become a victim, alert the local authorities immediately and, in some instances, also inform Federal Trade Commission. This is essential even if the crime is a minor one. Your report can help these authorities in the investigation process and may help them arrest criminals and save people from getting exploited.

These are some tips that can save you from getting attacked by cybercriminals in this digital era. We cannot stop using technology and the internet, but we can always look for ways to protect ourselves and our families.

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