In This Article
- Cybersecurity Tip 1: Don't wait for bad things to happen
- Cybersecurity Tip 2: Realize you aren't safe
- Cybersecurity Tip 3: Be picky with your password
- Cybersecurity Tip 4: Use 2 Factor-Authentication More
- Cybersecurity Tip 5: Check you bank
- Cybersecurity Tip 6: Automate updates
- Cybersecurity Tip 7: Ransomware 101
- Cybersecurity Tip 8: Make sure you go on HTTPS websites only
- Cybersecurity Tip 9: Don't download crap
- Cybersecurity Tip 10: Don't allow email spam
- Cybersecurity Tip 11: Use a VPN
- Cybersecurity Tip 12: Nothing is truly free
- Cybersecurity Tip 13: Be careful who you friend
- Cybersecurity Tip 14: It doesn't matter if they don't do it
- Cybersecurity Tip 15: Purge your apps
- Cybersecurity Tip 16: Don't trust your webcam
- Cybersecurity Tip 17: Don't post photos of your kids for the public to creep on
- Cybersecurity Tip 18: Adblockers are good for more than blocking ads
- Cybersecurity Tip 19: Social media isn't safe
- Cybersecurity Tip 20: Don't save your credit/ debit card information
- Cybersecurity Tip 21: You probably won't even notice your computer is infected
- Conclusion
In this article, I will cover 21 essential cybersecurity tips for 2021.
Today’s tips are simple cybersecurity tips to keep you safer online. I will cover 21 cybersecurity tips that are free to use and apply.
Without further ado, let’s jump into these cybersecurity tips. These should heavily apply to you if you have a big online presence.
Let’s dig in.
Cybersecurity Tip 1: Don't wait for bad things to happen
If you haven’t taken any measures to secure yourself online you’re basically waiting for bad things to happen.
Unfortunately, nobody is truly safe online ever, and if you don’t take security measures you will probably get harassed in some way by spammers, phishers, hackers, and much more.
Cybersecurity Tip 2: Realize you aren't safe
Every single person on the web is a target. If you have money(any amount) or data(passwords, documents, etc.), you are immediately targeted.
Online criminals sometimes don’t even make it personal, they can automate their attacks.
Cybersecurity Tip 3: Be picky with your password
You should have a password that has 12 characters, includes numbers(1, 2, 3), symbols(@, #, !), capitals(A, B, C), and lower-case letters(a,b,c). If you follow all those basic rules, your password should be nearly impossible to crack.
If you are typing your password in a public area, you should also look around to see if anyone is looking at your device. You should also never reuse passwords.
Cybersecurity Tip 4: Use 2 Factor-Authentication More
I recommend you use 2-FA wherever you can(usually in the settings of your account). You should always try to make it harder for someone other than you to get into your account.
Cybersecurity Tip 5: Check you bank
You should check your bank statements frequently(weekly basis, monthly basis). Try to look out for any suspicious transactions, and alert your bank immediately if you do find any.
Cybersecurity Tip 6: Automate updates
Cybersecurity Tip 7: Ransomware 101
Ransomware is when someone encrypts all your data and locks you out and asks for a ransom for that person to maybe give you the decryption key.
To prevent this I recommend you don’t keep any vital information on your computer, never open files from new people on email, and use trusted anti-virus software.
Cybersecurity Tip 8: Make sure you go on HTTPS websites only
Make sure you visit websites that are HTTPS only. If you do go on an HTTP website, you probably aren’t secure because whatever you’re doing on that website is pretty much for the public to see.
Cybersecurity Tip 9: Don't download crap
You do not want a PUA/PUP on your computer(potentially unwanted application / potentially unwanted program), which are programs or applications that are installed unwillingly.
These things can display pop-ups, install a toolbar into your browser, and even replace your default search engine.
One way to prevent this is to know what you have downloaded and keep track to make sure that nothing else is there.
Cybersecurity Tip 10: Don't allow email spam
Everyone has gotten spam, and it is very annoying.
To weed off most email spam, you can be careful where you submit your email address, unsubscribe to any unwanted newsletters, use filters in your email, never click on links in spam email, never open files in spam email, and open an email devoted to crap mail(or use 10-minute mail).
Cybersecurity Tip 11: Use a VPN
Pick out a trusted VPN. You wouldn’t believe how many hackers will be weeded off with a simple VPN, and it is a very good practice if you are hoping to be more secure online.
Cybersecurity Tip 12: Nothing is truly free
If you see a new flashy FREE product or service, you should be highly suspicious of what you’re actually getting. You should definitely look into the website, profile, etc., further.
Cybersecurity Tip 13: Be careful who you friend
Sometimes, people on social media will befriend you, to ultimately extract data(passwords, documents, etc.) from you.
You shouldn’t trust anyone new online and you should assume that the information you gave to someone new online is already leaked.
Some warning signs include too little generic information, profile picture that looks like a stock photo, and very few connections. You can use https://tineye.com/ to verify if a profile picture is a stock photo.
Cybersecurity Tip 14: It doesn't matter if they don't do it
It is always good to be safe online, taking basic online precautions to ensure maximum security.
It doesn’t matter if your friends or family doesn’t use 2-FA, use an anti-virus, or use a VPN, if you use it, you are much safer than them online.
Cybersecurity Tip 15: Purge your apps
I recommend you check all the apps in your phone and see the one’s you haven’t used in over 3 months if you don’t see yourself using that app a lot, my recommendation is to uninstall those apps.
When downloading a new app, you should always revoke giving any personal information. You should also always keep your apps updated.
Cybersecurity Tip 16: Don't trust your webcam
I recommend you put duct tape over your webcam. There are viruses that could leak in your computer and creeps could be spying on you from time to time.
Cybersecurity Tip 17: Don't post photos of your kids for the public to creep on
Do not post photos of your children on social media.
First off, if there is anything that can be considered the slightest bit embarrassing, it will be used against them in their adult life and possibly trash their online reputation.
Secondly, you have no idea where your photos could end up. There are pedophiles out there that know where you live(assuming you don’t use a VPN), you definitely don’t want them to see your photos.
Cybersecurity Tip 18: Adblockers are good for more than blocking ads
Adblockers are extensions that block ads. There are many free extrensions, I recommend you use a well-known extension for cybersecurity purposes.
Blocking those ads is huge up already, but if that isn’t enough for you, they also help to block threats and malicious advertising(how malware is distributed through online advertising networks).
Cybersecurity Tip 19: Social media isn't safe
Social platforms are lurking with cybercriminals that will impersonate, manipulate, steal data/ money, and take over accounts.
Cybersecurity Tip 20: Don't save your credit/ debit card information
Never save your card details and don’t be lazy. You will simply have to fill in the same information every time. If you don’t, then you are a target for card fraud.
Cybersecurity Tip 21: You probably won't even notice your computer is infected
In most cases, normal users won’t notice they are a victim of viruses and malware. This is precisely why you should choose a trustworthy antivirus.
Conclusion
I hope you picked up a cybersecurity tip or two and you actually use it.
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Now I’d like to hear your thoughts:
What tip are you going to try out first?
Have you ever been a victim of a computer attack?
If so, what was it like?
Let me know in the comments section below.