Protect Yourself and Your Device
The information superhighway has been used to describe the internet. But it’s a good idea to be aware of how to secure your devices, network, and data given the number of scammers, hackers, and other bad actors attempting to steal your personal information online. In this method, the scammers won’t be able to quickly access your passwords, Social Security number, or account information.
Update your operating system, internet browser, and security software. Before software vendors can fix them, criminals search for vulnerabilities to exploit. However, it is important to update your software frequently and as soon as a newer version is released in order to take advantage of vital security patches.
Visit the developer’s website on your device, which is always recorded someplace on your device, for instructions on how to upgrade your operating system, internet browsers, and applications, as well as your security software. Usually, you can subscribe to email updates or have them update automatically. Don’t disregard requests for updates. You don’t want to leave a door unlocked that could allow hackers to access your data.
Make sure to update your operating system, security software, and internet browsers and apps. Pick security questions that only you know the answers to. The answers to many security questions can be found in public sources or online. Avoid answering questions about your zip code, mother’s maiden name, and place of birth whenever you can. Also, stay away from asking questions such, “What color was your first car?” that have a finite amount of answers and are thus easy for attackers to predict. You can even enter random answers to make it harder for people to predict. But if you do that, you’ll have to keep track of the solutions you utilize.
To safeguard your data, make a backup. Making a second copy of each file is what is meant by “backing up” your data. In this way, your files are still available to you in the event of an incident, such as a virus, device failure, or hacking. You should do it once a week to avoid losing crucial information such as your images, documents, and files. Only the most recent backup will be available if you ever need to restore one.
When choosing how to back up your files, take into account the following two possibilities and certain factors.
Conserve your files online. Online file and data storage is made possible by a variety of cloud storage providers. There are numerous options available; some, like Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud, you may already be familiar with. You can pay extra for greater storage with several of these services, which offer some free space. When you store your data on the cloud, you are putting your trust in someone else to protect it. If you’re considering using cloud storage, research the level of security or privacy that each provider offers.
File-saving to an external storage device is a good idea. A moderately priced solution with some storage space is a USB flash drive. An external hard drive is an additional choice. Although it could be slightly more expensive than a USB drive, it can provide you with more storage capacity, transport data more quickly, and be more dependable. You may be able to schedule automatic backups and choose which files or folders to backup.
Keep Yourself Safe While Using Wi-Fi
You have some control over your home network’s security, but not over free public Wi-Fi. Always presume that something is insecure.
Saving your online banking, shopping, and other personal transactions until when you’re on your home network is the simplest approach. Alternately, you might use the encrypted data on your mobile device. If you do use public Wi-Fi, learn more about how to keep your personal information secure when using a public computer or network.
Thank you for being with me once again.
@Celynjasmine
Lead image was taken from pixabay