Cybersecurity has been one of the most talked-about issues in recent times. It has been troubling big and small firms alike. If you are looking for a one-stop shop for securing your website and other online information, you’ve come to the right place. While it is great to be an expert in ethical hacking, knowing first the basic steps to safeguarding confidential data is essential – personal or business information.
Data security must be taken seriously if you are an average internet user, personnel working for a business organization, or an employer at a huge firm. If you don’t, you are making yourself and your company vulnerable to potential outside threats. With several methods at the disposal of hackers, you may get your private data compromised before you know it.
CSO online details in its post some of the recent most high-profile data breaches of the century. The most devastating of all was the breach of Yahoo. It resulted in the compromise of the data of all its 3 billion user accounts, including passwords. Later, Verizon acquired Yahoo. The company is called Altaba Inc. Yahoo aside, eBay, Uber, JP Morgan Chase, Adobe, and many other companies have been victims of data breaches.
Hackers follow different ways to steal passwords and other sensitive information. Some of them are:
- Brute Force Attacks: Where different possible password combinations are tried using scripts or computer programs.
- Phishing Attacks: Phishing is stealing sensitive information, like usernames, passwords, and credit card details. Mostly through an electronic medium like email. The attackers send an email to the recipient that disguising it as a trustworthy entity.
- Server Root Exploitations: Where the server itself is targeted.
- Dictionary Attacks: Most likely and possible dictionary words are used; in cyclic combinations to defeat a cipher or authentication mechanism.
- Key Logger Attack: This is the most dangerous of all. A computer program is used to track the user’s keystrokes.
When such potent threats exist in the realm of the internet, the question arises. “What can one do to keep his/her website(s) and online activity hack-proof?” Well, let me get you started on that.
Access Only Secure Websites
Every time you are on the internet, ensure you only access websites secured with the essential features. This includes an SSL certificate. EV SSL (Extended Validation SSL) is the highest form of SSL type. You can see if a website has an EV SSL qualification by checking for the following:
Green Padlock Icon
You can find the Green padlock on the extreme left of the URL bar that indicates an SSL certification.
HTTPS
Next on the URL bar will be either the attribute HTTP or HTTPS (in green). HTTPS encrypts your information while in transit between your browser and server and keeps your data within your bounds.
Company Authenticity
An EV SSL certificate again displays the organization name and country code in green. A business must follow a strict verification process to obtain an EV SSL certificate. It entails added cost, time, and a process where the website owner must go through a thorough and globally standardized identity verification process. This goes to say that you can feel perfectly safe if the website is EV SSL certified. You can buy the cheapest EV SSL Certificate at just $79 per year from here www.cheapsslshop.com/ev-SSL-certificates.
2. Conform to a Strict Password Policy
Many internet users overlook the significance of a good, strong password. That is probably because they don’t know how easy hackers can access your data. Once they have your basic personal data, for example, your nickname, pet’s name, hometown, favorite number, color, etc., how long do you think it’s going to take for them to put two and two together to find out your password?
It would help if you used long, hard-to-guess passwords (at least eight characters). Use a clever combination of letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using real dictionary words.
It would help if you also changed your passwords regularly.
3. Use a Password Manager Application
A password manager is a software application that stores and manages a user’s passwords. It will be difficult for someone with many accounts across various websites to remember the passwords used for each. Not only do password managers solve this complication, but they also encrypt and store the login information and enter them directly into forms. This way, hackers cannot use keystroke logging to purloin your passwords.
Most password managers also provide the additional feature of automatic password generation. It creates a good, strong, and unique password that is hard to guess even with the latest software’s help. It would help if you remembered a master password to unlock your password manager.
4. Social network privacy
Nowadays, the average Tom, Dick, and Harry have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and a slew of other social networks that have made a foray into our lives in the last decade. But not a lot of people have privacy concerns. Privacy is important because there’s no point in having data security if you can end up losing your rights to it.
Facebook and other social media pages ask for your explicit consent to share stuff you post online. Review your privacy settings on Facebook and other social media pages, and ensure you are sharing your data only with the people you intend to.
For instance, you have tweakable privacy options broken down into categories on Facebook. You can choose for friends only/ friends of friends/public to see your posts. Furthermore, you can also choose which apps to allow access to your Facebook account.
5. Use an SSL VPN
SSL VPN is a form of VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPN is a technology that lets you create a private network within a public network. Using this private network, you can access your or your company’s website and work freely without worrying about your data being stolen. So, if you access the internet on public networks, download a VPN today.
6. Use 2FA
When conducting financial transactions online, ensure that the website you access provides 2 Factor Authentication. With 2FA, the user has to provide a password and a second security factor, such as an instantly generated OTP. A network that enforces 2FA is impenetrable to outside sources.
With the advent of IoT-enabled devices, cybersecurity is only growing in importance. It’s time we realized the part cybersecurity plays in our digital lives and gave it the requisite attention.