The internet can be a beneficial tool if used for the proper purposes. It allows you to connect with the world to find and share information. The internet has bridged gaps between people and made communication seamless; however, while it has proved tremendously helpful, it also makes you increasingly vulnerable to online threats such as viruses and spyware.
When you share information online, there is a possibility of hackers stealing sensitive information and then using data against you. Rest assured, when you’re online, you must ensure your data and identity are protected at all costs.
Let’s suppose you use VoIP for communication, which itself is vulnerable to attacks and online security threats but a necessity for companies looking to expand their portfolio to other countries. Since different companies work with various VoIP services tailored to their needs, if you need to Get VoIP for your business, it is better to refer to a commendable resource that helps you find the right features at the right price.
Here’s how you can ensure you’re protected when you’re online.
Use Private Internet Searches
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It would be best if you looked into downloading private search engines. These search engines work differently than public search engines. First of all, they don’t collect your data to send you targeted ads. Anything you search for is safe and secure since they don’t track you. You can use search engines such as Startpage, DuckDuckGo, Qwant, and HideMySearches.
Use a VPN
Going back to our previous example of using a business comparison resource, the best way to go about it would be to use a VPN service. The last thing you want is false information from your device trickle down to other devices on your network.
Corporate VPNs provide a secure connection from a remote location to your company’s network. This encrypts your data and hides your original data. It also shuffles your location and identity around, making it difficult for anyone to track your activities. Two examples of good VPN services are Expressvpn and NordVPN.
Browse Securely
If you can’t download a private search engine, you can use other ways to use the internet. You can browse securely through private browsing modes. Tor Browser and Mozilla browser are pioneers in providing you with safety and security.
You can leverage your security even further by installing security patches on your operating system and remove suspicious tracking features on your internet browser by adding browser extensions such as Adblock plus.
Use Private Storage
You may feel tempted to stick to Google Drive or Dropbox for cloud storage. After all, they are free and convenient, and you can purchase any additional storage easily. However, if you have files that contain sensitive information, you may want to invest in private storage.
You want to make sure everything you store in your cloud system is encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized people no matter how hard they try. You can use storage such as Cryptomator and Tresorit. These storages encrypt your files without tracking what is beyond the encryption and act as mediums for you to store all your files across multiple devices.
Two Factor Authentication
This may not seem much, but in this sector, passwords are incredibly vulnerable every day. Two-factor authentication ensures that your personal information and emails are not easily accessible. If you have any device that supports two-factor authentication, enable it right away.
When you use the two-factor authentication, you ensure that the attacker cannot use your login credentials by using your password. Even if a hacker manages to retrieve your password, they face another hurdle requiring your biometric, a USB device, or a pin on your cell phone. If you work in the corporate sector, two-factor authentication is very useful.
Secure Email
Emails are a common platform to violate a user’s privacy. However, the email’s security system has gone through several changes. Now, most corporations require end-to-end email encryption that allows you to send emails over HTTP-enabled sites/ You can also use email services such as Hushmail or ProtonMail to help you send and receive email.
These services are encrypted and follow strict privacy laws, so your email is untraceable, nor is the data ever compromised.
Use a Password Manager
You can’t remember all your passwords. For your devices, most companies now use your fingerprints as a security measure. Still, you can’t do this for your work computer. It’d be helpful if you’d invest in password managers instead. Bitwarden, Blur, and Enpass are a few tools you can use to manage your passwords. These tools can not only secure your password but also generate a password for you. Your password remains encrypted and has built-in security measures in place if you have auto-login enabled.
Use an Antivirus Software
The most common way hackers access your database is through malware. Cyber Attacks take place when viruses get into your database. These can occur if you click on a suspicious link, access a fraudulent network, use public Wi-Fi, or the wrong webpage.
Therefore, you must invest in good antivirus software. Platforms such as McAfee Antivirus Plus, Symantec Norton Antivirus, and Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus are a few security software designed for this purpose. Some software also protects your web browsing history and blocks any attempts of stealing critical information.
Use Ad Blockers
Ads use your data, such as your browser history, to match you with different advertisements. While this may seem harmless, you never know what malware is disguised as an ad to attack your network. You can invest in an Ad Guardian Blocker or uBlock Origin to block any unwanted ads. These platforms ensure safe and secure browsing without worrying about being traced or your data compromised.
Wrapping Up
The internet can be a fun or scary place if you’re not safe. While you enjoy a plethora of resources and tools available, you’re also putting your safety at risk. Fortunately, there are many internet tools that you can use to protect critical data.
Try switching over to private internet searches. Use a VPN to throw off any traces of your location and network location, and use private browsing mode. You can even use personal storage and two-factor authentication to ensure your security is solid. Use services that hide your email and look into strong password managers for a more secure internet experience.