This era is ruled by digitization, and cybersecurity has become an important concern more than ever before. With heaps of people relying on technology for everyday work such as offices, communication, and entertainment, the need for proper cyber hygiene has become paramount. The bad news is that many people still do not have proper exposure to learning about what world we live in now; they make common cybersecurity mistakes that can leave them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
7 Common Cyber Security Mistakes One Should Know About
Here are some pointers:
Mistake 1: Choosing Weak Passwords
It is perhaps one of the most common cybersecurity mistakes seen, and that is using weak passwords.
You may think that setting up easy-to-guess passwords, such as “123456” or “password,” is a good move since you don’t have to remember anything; it is easily crackable by cyber criminals. It’s important to use strong passwords that include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Mistake 2: Not Updating Software Regularly
Another common cybersecurity path of failure is failing to update software. Many individuals ignore software updates as soon as they pop, but these updates often contain security patches that address vulnerabilities in the software.
So, if your software is not up to date with the bug fixes, cybercriminals easily exploit these gaps to gain access to your system.
Mistake 3: Clicking on Suspicious Links
You may have recorded alerts about winning free coupons for a spa date. Well, if you never entered a contest, how come you won? So, such links are phishing scams and a common way cybercriminals gain access to your system.
Phishing attempts include an email with a seemingly legitimate link that actually leads to a fake website that steals your personal information. It’s important to be cautious when clicking on links in emails, especially if the email is unsolicited or from an unknown sender.
Mistake 4: Using Public wifi
Public wifi may seem convenient, but it is a major security risk. Cybercriminals can easily intercept data transmitted over public wifi, including sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. In case you are in a situation where you must use public wifi, try getting your hands on a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data.
Mistake 5: Not Backing Up Your Data
Losing data is a big catastrophe, more so if it is important for work or personal use. You must always regularly back up your data to avoid losing it in the event of a cyberattack or hardware failure. Cloud storage services are convenient, but it’s important to opt for a reputable provider that offers strong security measures.
Mistake 6: Ignoring Social Engineering
Social engineering is a skillful tactic by which cybercriminals trick people into sending sensitive information. Social engineering has many forms, such as a telephone call from a person claiming to be a tech support representative or an email from someone claiming to be a bank representative. You must be cautious when communicating during a conversation that requires sensitive information exchange, especially if the request is unsolicited.
Mistake 7: Not Using Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is an essential tool made to protect your system from malware and other cyber threats. Many people still fail to use antivirus software, leaving their systems vulnerable to attack.
Final note
It is crucial to choose reputable antivirus software and keep it up to date with the latest virus definitions. Ranger Wifi can help you with this! Our team of experts is here to lend a helping hand to your cyber safety needs.