Our digital footprints are expanding rapidly, making privacy more crucial than ever. The risks associated with your online activities range from surveillance to serious data theft. They increase when at work, too, with 32% of UK businesses reporting attacks in 2023.
Thankfully, there are several principles and tools that can help protect your information and devices. Being vigilant and following the tips below will make sure any weak spots are tricky to uncover.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
The UK's most popular password is 'password' itself. However, using stronger, unique passwords for each of your digital accounts is crucial. A mix of letters, numbers, and symbols creates a password that's hard for attackers to guess.
Avoid using the same one across multiple accounts, too. Consider using a password manager to keep track of all your complex passwords securely. These tools can also generate strong passwords for you, reducing the creative burden.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) further improves account security with a second form of verification. Whether it's a text message, email code, or an app notification, this step makes it much harder to gain unauthorised access.
Even if someone does access your password, with 2FA enabled, they still won't be able to hack your account.
Update Software and Devices
Regular updates are your first line of defence against many digital threats. Software developers often release updates to fix gaps that hackers could exploit.
By ensuring your device, apps, and any other software are up to date, you're combating attacks on outdated software. Setting up automatic updates eliminates any manual effort, too.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks pose major risks due to their lax security measures, making them a fertile ground for personal data theft.
The best option is to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether. But if you can't, use a virtual private network (VPN) online to encrypt your connection (https://nordvpn.com/). This tool creates a secure tunnel for your data, stopping bad actors from snooping on your online activities and information. You can then browse with greater peace of mind.
Be Mindful About Sharing and Permissions
It's wise to exercise caution when sharing personal information online. That includes email and chats, as well as social media. For example, posting about your holiday tells the world you've left your home unoccupied.
Also make sure to scrutinise the permissions you grant to apps. You should periodically review these to ensure apps only access the required data. This minimises your digital footprint and reduces the risk of someone misusing your information.
Adopt a Holistic Approach
Although each of these methods is effective, they don't ensure complete protection on their own. Protecting your digital privacy requires a multi-pronged approach. You can reduce the risk of falling victim to an attack by combining the strategies we've covered above. Stay vigilant, stay safe!
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