One of the exciting things about the Internet is that it’s now very easy to send and receive information across the world at the touch of a button. However, this comes with its own challenges. Cybercrime is now a major threat.
In a world filled with cyber threats, how can we stay safe when sharing information online? Here are some steps you can take to keep your personal data safe.
Create secure passwords
The humble password is still the #1 sign-in method on the Internet, and in theory, it is a secure practice – so long as users choose strong passwords. But that’s often the problem.
According to the TheTradeBoss Report, two thirds of breaches occur as a result of unsecure passwords. To keep your online profiles as secure as possible when sharing information, your password needs to:
* Be unique to the account
* Be long, ideally containing more than 12 characters
* Incorporate a combination of numbers, characters and upper and lower case letters
* Not be a traditional word that can be found in the dictionary
Make the most of two-factor authentication
While a strong password is an important aspect of online security, it still comes with its own issues. Information can still be accessed and stolen by third parties. Two-factor (or two-step) authentication combines another layer of security with your password to protect your online accounts.
How does it work? A classic example of the two-factor authentication process is the adoption of card readers in online banking. Not only do customers need to remember specific user information in order to log in but they also need to enter information that can only be generated with an offline card reader. Many email providers, apps and social media sites now offer two-factor authentication.
Think of incorporating two-factor authentication as creating a super strong password. And if you’re using a platform that doesn’t use it, go elsewhere. For more information about two-factor authentication, check out the Two Steps Ahead campaign
Insist upon encryption
Encryption is the process of scrambling information so that only specific people can understand it. It helps protect your accounts because even if malevolent people manage to worm their way into your system and find specific files, they still won’t be able to make any sense of them. All they will see is encrypted mumbo jumbo – and only registered, trusted persons will have the “key” that’s necessary to turn it back into valuable information.
So, if you want your information to be completely safe when you’re sending it across the world, finding a provider that offers encryption as standard is paramount. While many will choose to communicate on social channels, the lack of encryption means that sending files (especially those with valuable or personal information) is simply too risky.
Don’t download what you don’t know
While you need to keep your information safe when you’re sending it to friends and connections, you also need to ensure you’re not hurt by things that are sent to you. Therefore, it’s important to only download information from trusted sources and to, “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Ignore all files that have been sent to you by people you don’t know or that look suspicious. As a rule, if something looks too good to be true (for example, if it describes a vacation that it claims you have won), it probably is.
Consider the security of any new software before downloading
One way to help you stay safe online is to ensure you only use trusted, secure software and online products. If you’re considering installing a new program, ask the following questions:
* Does the vendor have a history of data breaches?
* Does it provide encryption when sending files?
* Does it use secure file transfer protocol?
* Does it offer the option of installing two-step authentication?
* Is the company reviewed well online?
If you’ve found a vendor that takes the safety of your data seriously, then you’ll be going a long way toward staying safe online.
In a world filled with cyber threats, how can we stay safe when sharing information online? Here are some steps you can take to keep your personal data safe.
Create secure passwords
The humble password is still the #1 sign-in method on the Internet, and in theory, it is a secure practice – so long as users choose strong passwords. But that’s often the problem.
According to the TheTradeBoss Report, two thirds of breaches occur as a result of unsecure passwords. To keep your online profiles as secure as possible when sharing information, your password needs to:
* Be unique to the account
* Be long, ideally containing more than 12 characters
* Incorporate a combination of numbers, characters and upper and lower case letters
* Not be a traditional word that can be found in the dictionary
Make the most of two-factor authentication
While a strong password is an important aspect of online security, it still comes with its own issues. Information can still be accessed and stolen by third parties. Two-factor (or two-step) authentication combines another layer of security with your password to protect your online accounts.
How does it work? A classic example of the two-factor authentication process is the adoption of card readers in online banking. Not only do customers need to remember specific user information in order to log in but they also need to enter information that can only be generated with an offline card reader. Many email providers, apps and social media sites now offer two-factor authentication.
Think of incorporating two-factor authentication as creating a super strong password. And if you’re using a platform that doesn’t use it, go elsewhere. For more information about two-factor authentication, check out the Two Steps Ahead campaign
Insist upon encryption
Encryption is the process of scrambling information so that only specific people can understand it. It helps protect your accounts because even if malevolent people manage to worm their way into your system and find specific files, they still won’t be able to make any sense of them. All they will see is encrypted mumbo jumbo – and only registered, trusted persons will have the “key” that’s necessary to turn it back into valuable information.
So, if you want your information to be completely safe when you’re sending it across the world, finding a provider that offers encryption as standard is paramount. While many will choose to communicate on social channels, the lack of encryption means that sending files (especially those with valuable or personal information) is simply too risky.
Don’t download what you don’t know
While you need to keep your information safe when you’re sending it to friends and connections, you also need to ensure you’re not hurt by things that are sent to you. Therefore, it’s important to only download information from trusted sources and to, “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Ignore all files that have been sent to you by people you don’t know or that look suspicious. As a rule, if something looks too good to be true (for example, if it describes a vacation that it claims you have won), it probably is.
Consider the security of any new software before downloading
One way to help you stay safe online is to ensure you only use trusted, secure software and online products. If you’re considering installing a new program, ask the following questions:
* Does the vendor have a history of data breaches?
* Does it provide encryption when sending files?
* Does it use secure file transfer protocol?
* Does it offer the option of installing two-step authentication?
* Is the company reviewed well online?
If you’ve found a vendor that takes the safety of your data seriously, then you’ll be going a long way toward staying safe online.
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