In digital era security and privacy depend on our own mistakes.
The digital world is providing many benefits for society in general and end users individually. But, there are some mistakes we generally make that could put personal data in jeopardy. The price of digital life is lack of personal privacy and security on the vast grid of Internet. Each computer is generally a person in the virtual world, it has a name and address number. It is a point on the grid space with the exact location in the world. The point holds a large amount of valuable information including your identity and privacy, which could potentially be abused.
Target and Attack
The computers and smartphones have become the endless storage of valuable information. It is an archive for small and large business and notebook for home users. The responsibility of using a personal computer is much greater because unlike in the company you work in, you are the administrator of your own device. On the premises of latest data breaches home computer with personal information is just as valuable as large company’s intellectual property. Therefore, not to test the destiny, certain precautions must be made in order to give resistance to crime. There are certain mistakes to avoid and these could be a good beginning point in fighting back crime.
Freelancers are especially in jeopardy since their work lasts until finished. They are constantly online, and their personal device is also a work related computer. A large amount of data stored and sent to and from those computers can be rather dangerous. There are options in OS itself to divide your working account, private account and administrator account. Being administrator of the computer with full rights is more dangerous than working with limited rights environment.
Nevertheless, home users and freelancers are having similar problems in online security and privacy preservation. Everything done on the Internet starts with led lights on the Wi-Fi router signaling device is online. The router is the first line of defense in security. Meaning if the router is unprotected makes it easier for cybercriminals to enter any device connected to the router. Breaching through the router is mostly reserved for companies storing valuable properties. Attacks through the router are “targeted attacks”, culprits that have set eyes on a certain individual or legal entity are planning these attacks. “Indirect attacks” are the ones in which anyone could be the target. It has nothing to do with the expression: “I am of no interest to the hacker”. There are no favorites in this game. Attacks contain viruses, received through phishing scams, email, or just by visiting a website. Some are common viruses and other very elaborate software designed to either damage your computer, hijack control over it or steal certain content.
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Preparing Defense
An interesting fact is that pre-computer generations are much more cautious of their Internet browsing than any other. Perhaps the awareness that their knowledge is small makes them more precautious and ready to adapt to malware threats. This malware attack battle can be prevented starting with indirect attacks. Internet Browsers are sort of like beacons, sending signals of your existence on the Internet. Every website you visit or any information you seek is forming your digital profile. The signals reach great corporations selling their products and services to users like yourself. Common actions every computer user should do are simple, considering them habits is going to change daily visit on the Internet.
– Be wary of any newly received email message with attachment or link in it.
– Check the received email for any spelling errors, since the original legitimate and cybercriminals message can vary in a single letter.
– Be cautious of the websites, the commercials on them and links guiding you away from the site. Don’t click if you are not sure of it.
– Making a password on your accounts strong, meaning using combinations of capital, small caps, and numbers.
– Use 2-step verification for free Emails like Gmail.
– Do not leave too much personal information on social networks.
– Do not store your bank account data, social security number or any other compromising data on your computer.
– Backup your computer files to external hard disk, that way your data is secure and constantly offline.
– Update your Anti-virus software and computer Operating System regularly.
– When using bank account logins clean cache and history, don’t leave login credentials saved.
– If you are leaving computer unattended lock the screen.
– After you are finished using device shut it down.
Smartphones have become a regular part of modern life when you are not using the computer, there is always an option to use the phone on the go. A tiny device like this is susceptible to hacking, there is not much to do, but stay steer from making mistakes. For example, a majority of users never think before doing the following:
– Not putting a lock screen option into good use, using a pin or any other type of verification is better than leaving device wide opened.
– Not using Geolocation in case phone gets lost.
– Succumbing to the temptation of a free public Wi-Fi network.
– Not checking the origins of the app downloaded.
Upon opening first online email account users volunteer to be a part of the digital world, seeking information, news, and entertainment. The Internet is vast open space in which users are nothing but a spec, but in the world of codes and scripts that point is defined as a certain person. Unlike closing the door of the room when you wish for a bit of privacy, the Internet has none. There will be segments we cannot influence as users. They go beyond our control, beyond mistakes. But we can do everything possible to clean, erase and leave less trace behind.