Tips on how to be more secure on the internet

The media nowadays is full of stories about cyber criminals hacking and stealing personal information from devices. It makes us think about how much do we really put online and what are we actually storing on our computer. Would we really be at a loss if someone saw our holiday snaps in Ibiza? Probably not, but what about the credit card details you put in online to pay for the holiday itself? It’s worth thinking about what extra measures we can take to protect ourselves from these criminals.

If you use your laptop or mobile phone on unsecured wifi networks often, then you’re even more at risk of having your information stolen. This can be a problem especially if you’re buying anything or inputting any account passwords when connected to these networks as they are open and require no security barriers in form of passwords when accessing them or the information about the devices that are connected to them. There is a way other than not using these networks at all, and that is to pay for a VPN, or a Virtual Private Network.

VPN

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, offer a crucial advantage in the realm of business cybersecurity. In the corporate landscape, where sensitive data and confidential communications are the lifeblood of operations, VPNs serve as indispensable tools. They leverage existing Wi-Fi connections to create a secure and encrypted tunnel for data transmission. This encryption renders information virtually unhackable and shields it from prying eyes on the same network.

For businesses that frequently rely on open and public networks, such as those in the hospitality or travel industries, VPNs are essential. These industries often necessitate employees to access critical company resources while on the go, making them vulnerable to cyber threats. By utilizing a VPN, all data traffic, including proprietary information and communication, remains protected from potential threats lurking on public networks. This not only safeguards sensitive data but also ensures business continuity by preventing potential breaches or data leaks.

Moreover, VPNs can be integrated into a broader cybersecurity strategy, forming a vital component of a hybrid cloud security architecture. They act as a foundational layer of defense, making it considerably more challenging for malicious actors to intercept data, whether it’s in transit from a public network or within a hybrid cloud environment. This added layer of security complements other measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software, creating a multi-tiered approach to cybersecurity. This approach ensures the secure operation of applications and data across a mix of on-premises and cloud environments, safeguarding a business’s assets and mitigating risks associated with open networks.

Passwords

If you don’t need a VPN service, another way you can help protect your information is to not only regularly change your passwords but if you struggle to come up with strong passwords that are more difficult to guess, then using a password generator or a pin generator to ensure your passwords are strong and random. Norton’s google chrome add on has this built in for you to use and it also offers to remember it for you for next time so you don’t have to write them down anywhere.

Emails

You’ve probably heard it a million times about being aware of what you open in regards to emails and links. There’s a new scam around at the moment with emails looking like legitimate notifications from banks, amazon and the apple store. A way you can check their legitimacy is to have a quick look at the email it has been sent from. Is it a bunch of numbers and letters that don’t make sense? Then don’t press anything on the email.