8 Measures to Protect Against Cyber-crime | Free Antivirus

Protect Against Cyber-crime

Cybercrime is a constant threat.

Perhaps you think nothing to fear but that your financial information is stolen by cyber criminals. But it's not that easy. Your finances are nowhere near the only thing to worry about. Cybercrime is constantly evolving and new threats keep emerging.

Given the wide range of crime making headlines in this area, one might be tempted to avoid the internet entirely. But this step is probably a bit drastic after all.

Instead, learn how to identify cyber threats. This is the first thing you can do to protect yourself and your data. It is also important that you take basic precautions and know who to turn to if you become aware of online criminal activity.

It would of course be desirable if one could learn to completely eliminate cyber threats. But unfortunately that is not possible. But you can take steps to better protect yourself from them.

What Is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime is any type of crime that is committed online or primarily online. Cyber ​​criminals often target computer networks or devices. Cybercrime can range from security breaches to the theft of personal information.

Other examples of online criminal activity are "revenge porn", cyberstalking, online harassment, cyberbullying and the sexual exploitation of children. Terrorists also occasionally band together on the Internet, which moves terrorist acts and crimes into cyberspace.

How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats

Every internet user should follow some basic safety rules. Here are eight tips on how to better protect yourself from cyber threats.

1. Take Advantage of A Comprehensive Internet Security Package

For example, Protegent Free Antivirus Security provides real-time protection against existing and emerging malware, including ransomware and viruses, and helps protect your personal and financial information when you are online.

2. Set up Strong Passwords

Never use the same password for different websites and change your passwords at regular intervals. These should also be complex, ie consist of a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers and special characters. You can keep your passwords under lock and key with a password management application .

3. Always Install the Latest Updates for Your Software

This is especially true of your operating systems and internet security software. Cyber ​​criminals often use known vulnerabilities or bugs in your software to gain access to your system. By installing patches for these vulnerabilities and bugs, you can reduce the risk of being targeted by cyberattacks.

4. Manage Your Social Media Settings

Make sure that your private and confidential information is protected on social networks. Cyber ​​criminals often only need a few data points to gain access to your personal information. Therefore, the less data you share publicly, the better. For example, when you post your pet's name or reveal your mother's maiden name, you're answering two common security questions.

5. Strengthen Your Security in The WLAN

A strong encryption password and the use of a virtual private network (VPN) in the public WLAN are a good start. A VPN encrypts all outbound traffic sent through your devices until it arrives at its destination. If cyber criminals succeed in hacking your connection, all they'll get is encrypted data. Using a VPN always makes sense when you are in a public WiFi network - be it in the library, in a café, in a hotel or at the airport.

6. Discuss Online Safety with Your Children Regularly

You can teach your children how to use the Internet responsibly without completely prohibiting them from certain communication channels. Assure them that they can and should speak to you if they encounter online harassment, stalking, or bullying in any way.

7. Keep up To Date with Serious Data Breaches

If you do business with online retailers or have an account on a website that has been compromised in a data breach, find out what information has been disclosed and change your password immediately.

8. Prevent Personal Data Theft

Personal data theft is when someone gains access to your personal data through fraud or deception, usually for profit. How can that happen? You could be tricked into divulging personal data via the Internet. Or a criminal could steal your mail in order to obtain account details that will be delivered to you in the mail. That is why it is important to protect your personal information. A VPN can also help protect the data you send and receive over the Internet, especially when you go online using public Wi-Fi connections.