It would be a truly wonderful world if you never had to worry about scammers, hackers, or other shady characters! Unfortunately, there are people out there who are always on the lookout to take advantage of others, whether in-person or online. The good news? With a little vigilance and some helpful tips, you can take steps to protect yourself—and your devices.
Use Secure Passwords
Passwords are a weak spot when it comes to online security, but unfortunately, there’s no way around using them, especially for things like email and financial accounts. The biggest problem with passwords is that many people choose ones that are easy to remember—and easy for others to guess. For example, the four most commonly used passwords in 2023 are 123456, qwerty, and 123456789, and password!
When choosing a password, make sure you’re selecting strong ones that would be hard for cybercriminals to figure out. A strong password should be at least 15 characters long and include a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. It’s also important to use a unique password for each account; that way, if someone gets ahold of one of your passwords, your other accounts will be safe.
Set-Up 2-Factor Authorization
Two-factor authorization (also called two-step authorization) helps protect your accounts if your passwords become compromised. If someone signs into your account, you’ll receive a notice on a second device or your email asking you to verify whether you were trying to sign into your account. If it wasn’t you, access to your account will be denied.
Most online accounts that contain sensitive or personal information, such as email, bank, or credit card accounts, will offer the ability to turn two-factor authorization and provide online instructions for how to do it. If you’re having difficulty or can’t find instructions, contact your bank or other financial institution and have them walk you through it.
Beware of Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyber-attack that attempts to trick individuals into providing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. It usually occurs through fraudulent emails, instant messages, or other types of electronic communication. Many times, these fraudulent messages can look nearly identical to official communications from your bank or other businesses or organizations.
To protect yourself from phishing, be wary of opening or replying to unsolicited emails or other communications that request sensitive information or are urging you to take immediate action. Keep an eye out for red flags like spelling or grammatical errors, generic greetings, or unfamiliar email addresses.
If you receive an email from an email address you don’t recognize, make sure to verify it actually came from that organization before taking any action. Don’t click on any suspicious links, and be cautious about providing personal information. It’s also a good idea to stay informed about the latest phishing scams going around.
Use Antivirus software and Keep it Up-to-Date
Antivirus software is a type of program that detects and protects your computer or laptop from viruses and other types of malicious software that can harm your computer. The most common way to infect your device is by unknowingly downloading malware that’s attached to an email or visiting an untrustworthy website. Once the malicious software is on your computer, it can steal data, prevent you from accessing your data, or even erase it.
If your antivirus finds a virus or malware on your computer, it will either delete the suspicious program or quarantine it to prevent it from wreaking havoc on your device. Since there are always new viruses and malware being developed, it’s also very important to keep your software up-to-date so it can detect the latest offenders.
We recommend using Malwarebytes for Windows systems and MacPaw for Apple. Generally speaking, you don’t need to use antivirus software for your phone or tablet as long as you only install apps that are released from official stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks
It’s tempting to use free public Wi-Fi, especially when you’re bored and on the go, but it’s not as safe as using a private network. There’s no way to know who set up the free network or what kind of protections it offers—and in some cases, it could be run by someone whose sole purpose is to steal data. Although there are ways to use free public Wi-Fi safely (such as using a Virtual Private Network, aka VPN), it’s generally best to avoid it altogether.
Keep a Close Eye on Your Devices
Unfortunately, your devices aren’t just at risk from cyber-criminals! Thieves are often on the lookout for laptops, cell phones, tablets, and other devices to snatch, especially in areas where tourists frequent. If you plan to travel this summer, make sure to keep a close eye on your devices. Don’t leave them unattended and keep them out of view as much as possible.
You should also avoid keeping your phone in your back pocket or leaving it out on a table, as this makes it easy for someone to stroll by and grab it. Use the hotel safe to lock up valuable devices like laptops or cameras when you’re not using them and never leave anything valuable in your car. To protect your devices from damage, consider investing in a high-quality case.
Contact Tech Shack for Complete Security Solutions for Your Devices
Whether you’ve downloaded a virus or need reliable antivirus software installed on your device, Tech Shack is here to help! We offer complete security solutions, including antivirus installations and updates, virus removal, data backups and recovery, and more. We even offer laptop and mobile device repairs! Schedule an appointment online or call us today at (864) 722-5155.