How To Keep Yourself Secure Online
Published: 2019-07-23 11:55:01


Cybercriminals are always on the move to target a machine/account, infiltrate it to accomplish their goals. Such activities have cost around trillions of dollars in the past decade which is why internet users should carefully approach such utilities. 
Reports have shown that a cyber-attack occurs every 39 seconds and that 3 Americans become victims of said crimes every year. Research suggests that around 230,000 malware get introduced every day. Let’s have a look at some easy ways to tackle threats from cybercriminals and secure ourselves online. 

**Don’t Click On Links You Are Not Sure About**
With social media boasting a tremendous figure of 3 billion users as of 2018, there is no doubt that you may have come across various links that are unclear in their description and intentions. One needs to stay clear of all such links no matter where they show up. These might be residing in your email, social media, office inbox. Be careful before falling for them, regardless of how sparkly and glittery they present themselves to be.  We recommend that you stay clear of such actions that can land you in the dirt. These links are designed by online thieves who would go to any extremes to get a hold of your private or personal information. 

**Use Different Passwords**
The online movement is buzzing with various platforms and portals for you to interact. Whether you are into interacting with others for a professional reason or a personal one, you give a thought to the idea of creating an online social presence. However, the golden rule for increasing protection is a strong and long password. Consider using upper and lower case alphabets, numbers and special symbols. Though this may sound time-consuming and dreadful, it is worth the effort. Nonetheless, you must also keep different passwords for different online accounts. Even if you become a victim of a hacking incident, there is a possibility that with different passwords your other accounts are still safe. This will also give you time to recover your account.  Also, this practice enhances the security measures for your other accounts as well.

**Visit Safe & Authorized Websites Only**
Websites that have https:// within their address offer you encryption features for all online activities. Whereas websites without the ‘s’ at the end of ‘HTTP’ don’t and thus are quite liable to leaks and data hacks. Hackers and crackers use a malicious technique called phishing. Phishing techniques involve hackers and crackers to acquire information like bank account details, social media details, details regarding email addresses, etc. they will send the target user with an email or message from an account that might appear to look like the authorized email address of a brand that you use and would ask you to give out some personal information. You have to be attentive and sensible enough to understand that your bank or brand wouldn’t ask for your personal or account information. They already have that. So there is no need to give out such information via email in the first place. Ask your bank if you want to further verify the authenticity of an email yourself. 

**Private vs. Professional Information**
Social media has been mainly observed to be the main instigator of cybercriminal activities.  This is the go-to place for all cybercriminals. With such observations, you should definitely keep all your personal information safe online. It helps you to socialize in a more relaxed way without any fear of breach of information. 

**Keep Anti-Virus Programs Updated**
There are literary tons of virus definitions that get released on a daily basis. Hackers have a tough time getting what they want from you if your anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are up to date. This makes you and your computing devices protected from all such criminal activities. Anti-virus programs also send precautionary messages related to your everyday tasks. Users get notified when they spot unwanted or harmful activity. This will help you keep a safe profile online and stay well clear of cyber-criminals online. You can get information on different internet services available in your area by a simple [click here](https://www.localcabledeals.com). 

**Use Two-factor Authentication**
Sources reveal that around 80% of breaches get minimized and even avoided by using a Two-factor Authentication. Wherever possible, make sure that you use two-factor authentication methods. This requires users to confirm their identity before logging in to your account. There are many websites that send a verification code via text message or a phone call so that the authorized user can carry on using their account. Two-factor authentications are a great way to avoid intrusions, hacking and cracking attempts and fraudulent logins. You might find such login and other security measures to be time-consuming and too much for a task to respond to. These methods and measures get you the ultimate security that you need. 

Online safety should be every internet user’s number one priority. Creating awareness about information and social media profile security helps others stay safe online. Law enforcement agencies consider mishandling of social media platforms as a serious offense. So, to avoid any kind of complications be very careful with your online profiles and information that you update on these profiles.