Cyber security and cybercrime are undeniably important topics, stories of hacking and data breach are never far from the headlines. Cybercrime regularly makes the evening news these days. He appears on TV shows like Mr. Robot and in a setting on Grey's Anatomy where the hospital was hacked and blackmailed.
Cybercrime is a familiar term to many, but while we were all using devices more than ever, many of us were still unprepared for a cyberattack. We don't think this will happen to us, but the truth is that it could happen to any of us.
You never dream of leaving a house or a car without locking it, but many of us do the digital equivalent every day with our phones or computers.
Here are four examples of some of the most common threats and the best way to prevent them.
Cybertreat #1: Phishing Attacks
With email becoming the default medium for many of us, the opportunities for cybercriminals are growing as well.
Phishing attacks cause companies or individuals to trick their victims into clicking malicious links or installing malware on their devices. The emails may use legitimate addresses, patterns, and even company logo and contact information, but they are actually looking to steal your information.
Often seeking clarification about a user's accounts or login information, phishing emails serve as a gateway for criminals to steal vital data that can be sold or used to access personal accounts.
What to do:
As mentioned above, phishing emails often do their best to appear realistic, using official accounts, such as iCloud, Hotmail, or Google, or hiding their message with the help of logos or emails. #39; images.
But often, closer examination will lead to the game escaping, criminals have to make deliberate mistakes to avoid detection. This could be a misspelled email address (for example, "Appld" instead of "Apple"), or errors in the company information they contain may appear to be legitimate, such as errors in the address or signature.
The same links used to entice and trick victims can also be a giveaway: a link in an official Microsoft email would hopefully redirect you to a microsoft.com website. different, you probably have a phishing.
Cyberthreat #2: Public W-Fi networks
Today, it is essential to make sure that you are online and that you can get the latest updates on news sites and social networks.
Hackers are increasingly targeting hungry internet users with fake public Wi-Fi networks with legitimate names that don't require a password to access them.
Once you're logged in, criminals can accurately track the sites you visit, and potentially even the passwords and other personal information you enter.
What to do:
Whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi, always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect the data you send and receive. Like Norton Secure VPN, a VPN creates an encrypted private information connection that prevents cybercriminals from hijacking your device and intercepting the data you send and receive.
If you're in doubt about connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, you can always ask a staff member to make sure it's legit. You don't even have to ask that question. Just ask for the Wi-Fi name or password to make sure everything matches.
Never connect to a Wi-Fi network if you don't know what it is or who it belongs to, it could be a scam.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Cyberthreat #3: Sad Apps
Apps are great, whether it's social media, a banking service to track your spending, or just the latest addictive game.
But how much attention do you give to the apps you download? One of the company's basic rules is that once success is achieved, competitors immediately copy it. So make sure you download the app you really want.
Many reports have recently revealed that users are being tricked by fake versions of popular apps, charging them much more than they should and sometimes even stealing personal data.
What to do:
For starters, always use legitimate app stores: Google's Play Store and Apple's Store make sure that anything for sale or download can be used safely (although sometimes exceptions can be missed). Never use third party app stores for app downloads because there would be malware!
Always make sure you download the exact app of your choice; This may seem obvious, but as mentioned above, unscrupulous developers are very good at duplicating popular apps and services to fool unsuspecting customers.
Finally, make sure you have a complete mobile security suite that can detect problems and warn you of any unwanted items, like Norton Mobile Security, available for iOS and Android.
Cyberthreat # 3: RansomwareMalware
We all know that malware can be dangerous, but ransomware is a particularly harmful strain that can cause significant damage.
Once installed (often by clicking a malicious link or visiting an unsafe website), ransomware "bricks" a victim's device, holding it hostage until ransom (often in a crypto). Hard-to-detect currency, such as Bitcoin) will be paid.
Ransomware can often be disguised as a warning to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or even the police or national government, using a fake identity to make victims worry they've done something terrible and speed up payment.
What to do:
Like avoiding most malware, stopping ransomware is often as simple as dealing with the sites you visit online.
Always make sure that the sites you visit are legitimate. Often seeing if a site is secured with HTTPS can be a good indicator; this can be detected by a small lock next to the address in the search bar, which tells you that the page is secure.
Also make sure that any files or data you want to download are safe. Check out user reviews and ratings to spot all issues and analyze anything that might be wrong with your antivirus solution.
Having a reliable security software solution can go a long way in stopping infections and ensuring the safety of your data.
protect yourself online
As cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, it's crucial to protect yourself online.
Your personal information is valuable. So make sure you're up to date with the latest threats, make sure your devices are up to date, and install a comprehensive security suite that helps protect your information online.