Every month, about 1.4 billion people fall prey to having their social media accounts hacked. The statistics grow stronger every passing year due to the gradual domination of technology in our world today.
Though some people choose not to ‘be influenced’ by tech, most of us see it as a means of survival. However, it opens up the possibility of internet fraud through hacking.
For easier navigation, countless apps require saved personal information to meet users’ needs and preferences better and create personal experiences. How do you use these apps or websites without the fear of feeling exposed to danger caused by hacking?
These are a few tips that you can apply to protect your accounts effectively – keep on reading:
1. Build Better Habits
One major problem users have is their nonchalance or ignorance regarding keeping their accounts safe. Probably, all of us had a friend who fell prey to hacking (or fell for it ourselves).
People tend to take care of cybersecurity only if something like this happens. Too many individuals are met with suggestions on these apps that can keep their accounts safe, but they need to pay more attention to them.
It takes about three months to form a habit and probably another three to turn it into a lifestyle. So, make it a habit to stay updated on cybersecurity news and address the possible safety gaps you’ve left. Thankfully, these habits might be easier to form due to the help of most apps being programmed to try and help you ensure your account is safe.
2. Get a Password Manager
Have you ever tried creating a password for a social media account, yet it was declined? Ultimately, after a few tries, the app suggests this long and complicated password that looks like gibberish that you would never remember. Right after, a suggestion might pop up for you to save it on your Google account.
Then, it’s rather comfortable to have your passwords saved by your password manager to help you retrieve them easily, especially if you have various accounts that possess vital information. For those who have to form passwords on their own, take note of these points:
Be Unpredictable: It may take a while to create different complicated passwords for all accounts that you’d want to remember easily. It also has to be something that no one’s ever used before! Persevere because the more unique that password is to you, the harder it is for someone to guess it correctly. Avoid using information that can be easily accessed, like your date of birth and your name or those of people close to you.
Make it Lengthy: 8 characters is the least requirement for most passwords, yet we urge you to go beyond that. You might want to write down a 12-character password in a journal to avoid forgetting, but just think if somebody ill-intended found it or if it would be accidentally thrown out. Again, an online password manager is a way safer and more comfortable option.
Mix Different Characters: Characters aren’t just limited to letters or numbers; they include symbols and styles. You can have letters in upper and lowercase, with a dash of numbers and a bit of special symbols to go.
Avoid Password Reuse: Some people believe using one password for different accounts is easier. This is highly inadvisable. Sure, it’s easier that way, but it also makes it much easier for hackers to access not one but multiple accounts in case your password leaks somewhere.
Occasional password change: Try to change your passwords every few months. Some highbrow companies program their systems to do this automatically occasionally. If your information is something crucial to you, you can take this route as well. It throws the hackers off guard.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
As the name suggests, it is a security system that adds layers of information, like a code that is requested when you want to log into your account. It is sent to your email or phone number to input before the account can be accessed.
This guarantees an extra layer of security to access your account and can help protect your information even if your password is guessed.
4. Encryption
This security measure provides the need for a code to access a piece of information. The key to unlocking this info is a key that the owner (and the receiver) should possess. This keeps outsiders out and ensures the information is private.
For example, mail can be encrypted so that the person who sends an email to another person, the only way for him to access it would be with an additional code.
5. Spam Filters
These are security guards that ensure unwanted or non-secure messages are saved as spam. This method is mostly used by emails. Email users can then inspect spam messages before choosing to accept them.
6. Occasional Phone and App Updates
Updates are a way of improving your phone or PC software without changing the device itself. These fix problems and make your devices and programs better. The best part is you are allowed to choose when these updates occur, but to make them automatic would be the best choice.
As you incorporate these tools and encourage others to do so, the internet can become a safer place for everybody.
