Introduction
The Internet has completely transformed the way we communicate and operate. From ordering food, posting photos from the latest trip, looking for jobs or marriage prospects to transferring a huge sum of money all can be done with a few clicks from the smartphone. Digital advancements have made our lives extremely convenient. However, with our growing reliance on the internet, we are also becoming susceptible to online frauds, identity thefts, and other cybercrimes and it has become pertinent to take measures to ensure our internet security.
Why internet security is important?
Just like the real world is full of anti-social elements, the online world too has its own share of miscreants. They can harm the internet user in different ways. They can steal their personal data and misuse it. Data could include private photos or conversations, bank details, business plans, and other important information stored on your phone or computer. You can imagine the repercussions of these thefts. Sometimes, theft is not the only motivation. Some people want to introduce a virus in your devices just to render them inoperable. Although both computer manufacturers and financial institutions keep introducing innovative measures to identify viruses and malware and protect data, the onus of being alert lies on the end-user. Often our own negligence makes us fall prey to such cybercrimes. It’s high time we adopt a cautious attitude to protect our online data and accounts by applying the following measures.
Tips to safeguarding yourself while using online banking
Even if it sounds like a task, keep updating your passwords. Also, while setting the password, do not use personal information or the website information otherwise it will be easy to hack. Keep it long using a mix of random letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use the same password for different accounts. If you think you might forget it, write it down somewhere and keep it to yourself.
The two-factor login is like two checkpoints. For example, after you put in your password, instead of opening the account, it asks you a security question or sends an OTP. So, you should select a security question which can’t easily be guessed or can be accessed easily from other sources. Two-factor logins provide an additional layer of security.
Always connect to a specific site by visiting its direct website link. Never access it through third-party websites as these links could be carrying malicious malware that can enter your system and steal your personal data.
Keep your computer, laptop, and smartphone safe from virus. Keep an updated antivirus software in your system and use a firewall to keep viruses and other malicious applications away. Once a virus like Trojan enters the system, it won't be easy to remove it. Better to be safe than sorry!
Most public places today offer free Wi-Fi but using it to save your internet data can prove to be quite costly as they are happy hunting ground of hackers, who see an unsecured server as a chance to install malware on multiple devices with the nasty intent of stealing personal details. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to tackle this issue as a VPN creates a safe and encrypted network while on a public Wi-Fi and blocks the hacker from tracing your IP address.
Just like we check the door lock twice before leaving home, similarly, never forget to log out from the system after using your account. Always pin lock your mobile and shut down your personal computer or laptop before leaving.
It’s quite obvious that you should not share your personal login details with anyone. People often have the tendency to casually reveal their passwords to relatives and close friends without realizing what it can lead to. Always access your account that too privately otherwise you will be in a soup. Sharing passwords or OTPs can land you in big trouble. Also, you must have got emails or calls from financial institutions asking you to fill-in details over email or call. Such acts are termed as phishing and so, don’t get conned. Double check the authenticity of the mail with the relationship manager at your bank. Always click on original URLs and keep a safe distance from a suspicious link and copycat websites. Try and use the latest versions of browsers. Last but not least, regularly assess your various accounts to make sure everything is in place.
Conclusion
If you take extra care to safeguard your money and jewellery at home, you must apply the same rule when it comes to the protection of your data. There is no substitute for being vigilant and proactive. Adopting the above-mentioned measures will tremendously improve your data security on the internet.
