Protecting yourself from cyber attacks is crucial in today’s digital world. Here are some practical tips to keep your online life secure:
Strong passwords: Create unique passwords for every online account you have. Avoid using personal information like birthdays or pet names, and opt for a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
How To Create A Strong Password?
Creating a strong password is crucial for protecting your online accounts and information.
Length:
- At least 12 characters should be used, but more is preferable. The more characters, the harder it is to crack.
Complexity:
- Mixing the symbols and lower upper case letters. This makes it harder for attackers to guess or brute-force your password.
Uniqueness:
- Avoid using common words, phrases, or personal information like birthdays, names, or pet names. These are easily guessed or found online.
- Create unique passwords for each of your accounts. If one account gets compromised, your other accounts are not at risk.
Memorability:
- While complexity is essential, you need to be able to remember your password! Here are some tricks:
- Use a phrase or sentence: Instead of a single word, use a memorable phrase or sentence you can easily recall. For example, instead of “password,” use “My favourite childhood book was Treasure Island.”
- Acronyms: Create an acronym from a sentence or phrase.
- Mnemonic devices: Associate your password with an image, song, or event to help you remember it.
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Additional Tips:
- Never share your password with anyone, even trusted friends or family.
- Avoid typing your password in public places.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification code before you can log in.
Here are some resources that can help you generate strong passwords:
- Password Manager: Consider using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for all your accounts.
By following these tips, you can create strong passwords that will help keep your online accounts and information safe from hackers.
Online security is an ongoing process. Stay informed about the latest threats and best practices, and update your passwords regularly to maintain strong protection.
Software updates: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and other software applications. These updates often patch security vulnerabilities, making it harder for attackers to exploit them.
Beware of phishing: Phishing emails and websites trick you into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Be cautious about emails from unknown senders, even if they appear to be from legitimate companies. Please don’t click on suspicious links or attachments; hover over them to see their destination before clicking.
Two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone, when logging in to an account.
Antivirus and anti-malware: Use a reputable antivirus and anti-malware program to scan your devices for threats. Keep these programs updated to ensure they have the latest definitions.
Be mindful of downloads: Only download software from trusted sources. Avoid downloading cracked or pirated software, which can be bundled with malware.
Secure your Wi-Fi: Use a strong password for your Wi-Fi network and enable encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
Backup your data: Regularly backup your important data to an external drive or cloud storage service. This way, if your device is compromised, you won’t lose your valuable information.
Remain informed: Keep abreast on the most recent online frauds and risks.Look for information from reputable sources like government agencies or cybersecurity organizations.
Cyber security is an ongoing process. Follow these steps to avoid mistakes.
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