You’d think as the internet has become more advanced and employed greater security measures, users would be safer online. Unfortunately, as technology has progressed, cybercriminals have also evolved their tools and techniques.
Internet users are at greater risk of being hacked than ever before thanks to automated password guessing technology that can churn out thousands of guesses in a minute. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you are using all the right protocols to protect yourself when browsing.
Employ a Password Manager
The first thing to do is get a password manager. No, you don’t need to hire some guy with an amazing memory to store all your credentials in his brain.
There are plenty of options online now that can be used to manage passwords, meaning that you don’t have to remember them all. Password managers store your details in an encrypted vault, protected by one sole password that you must remember.
A vast number of internet users tend to key in the same passwords from place to place. A lot of the time, these are simple and easy to guess as well. It is highly advised that you use strong passwords that feature a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
They should also be long and unique. Password managers can make automatic suggestions for you when you join a new site. Simply accept the tool’s password and then it will store it for you, so you never have to remember it.
Keep up to Date with News
Savvy internet users who care about safety and security should keep up to date with the news and see if there are any new dangers they need to be aware of. Cybercriminals are typically good at adapting to changes in the internet landscape and developing new ways to spread malicious software.
An example of this was seen recently with the growth of the digital advertising scene. Hackers jumped on the popularity of this form of marketing and began to spread malware in advertisements. This is now known as malvertising, and it is a major issue for marketers.
Use a VPN
One of the best options you have to tighten security nowadays is a VPN. When it is turned on, it gives you a different IP address and encrypts your traffic. This makes it much harder for cybercriminals to track you and find out what you are doing.
There are numerous other benefits to using a VPN as well. You can set it to a different region to the one you are in if you want to access different sites or ones that may be blocked where you are. One benefit that VPN users have discovered is that it opens a world of new possibilities with Netflix. Certain regions have many more titles than others.
By employing a few key tactics, you can maximize your safety online. Keep your ear to the ground about updates in technology as well, as it looks like biometric authentication could be the next big development.
