We are living in an era where our personal information is so often at risk of being displayed to the whole world via the internet. Because of this it is important to understand and utilize various methods of online security in an effort to protect ourselves. It can be difficult to know which methods are legitimate, what works best, and where all you need to place security measures. Here, we will discuss several different methods of online security, how to implement them, and where it is most important to have security.
The first online security method we are going to discuss is passwords. Anytime you create an account online, whether it is social media, banking, bill pay, or any other imaginable type of account, you have to set up a password. Some sites require very specific things for passwords such as capital and lowercase letters, numbers or special characters. Other sites only require that they be a certain length. Still other websites do not have any requirements. Regardless, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure all of your passwords are secure.
The first rule of passwords is, never use the same one twice. Once you have used a password for any site, do not use that same password again. This includes using it on the same site and on any other site. Now, how to come up with a great password? You should never use common passwords such as “password” or “1234”. These are so easy to hack that they might as well not even be there. When you are creating a strong password, it is vital to use letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, try not to be predictable; use a number in the place of a letter, throw an exclamation point in to replace an “I”, make sure that the pattern is not obvious.
Always try to use words, dates and phrases that mean something to you, but would not mean anything to potential hackers. For example, many people use their own birth date or the birthday of someone they love. These dates are very easy for hackers to find and will be some of the first things they try. Instead use the date of your first kiss with your partner, your pets birthday, or the date you bought your first car. These are not as obvious and not as easy to find out. Also, do not use the name of the street you live on or them names or your children or pets. Instead, use the name of the street your best friend or your aunt lives on or the name of your sister’s cat that you hate. In other words, make it something you can remember, but stay away from the obvious.
Another thing to consider about passwords is if you will be able to remember them. If you do not have very many accounts, it is fairly easy to remember all of your passwords. If, however, you are like most people, you have so many accounts that it is basically impossible to remember that many different passwords. When this happens, it is important to have a way to keep track of your passwords and still keep them safe. One possible way to keep up with your passwords is to use Google’s “remember password” feature. That way Google does the remembering for you. If that is not for you, another possible solution is create a file on your phone or computer and put all of your passwords in that file. You will then need to password protect that file to keep other people from accessing all of your passwords. This way, you only need to remember one password versus multiple ones.
The next online security method we are going to talk about is virus and malware protection. Any device that you use to access the internet needs to have virus protection installed. This includes desktops, laptops, tablets/e-readers, smartphones and even gaming systems. Most devices do not come from the store with virus protection pre installed, therefore you need to make a concentrated effort with each and every device, to immediately download protection. Most virus protection apps have a multitude of features to customize for optimal protection on that device. These features include protection from viruses and malware sent in emails, viruses from browsing the internet, from clicking links, and viruses, malware, and trojans from downloads. These are just a few of the features offered by most virus protection apps.
If you do not know where to get a virus protection app from, always start with your device’s app store where applicable. If your device does not have an app store, then search for one using your browser. You can also buy protection software from any store that sells computers and computer accessories. When you purchase a new desktop, for example, you can ask the associate for assistance finding the software you need. Rest assured, though, that you do not have to be purchasing a new device to purchase virus protection software. Simply go to the appropriate store and ask an associate to help you find what you need. Likewise, you do not have to purchase a new handheld device to download a protection app. Keep in mind that most virus protection apps do have a fee, but there are also some decent free apps that work very well.
This is hardly a definitive list of online security measures. It is, however, an important start to protecting yourself online. No one wants to have their information stolen, so it is vital to make every effort to keep your information safe. Thankfully, there are companies out there to give a helping hand when you need an extra boost of online security. One such company is Zero Day Security, if you want to know more about protecting yourself online, be sure to check out their website. Online security is every bit as important for individuals as it is for big and small companies, so never hesitate to reach out to someone for help in making sure you are as protected as possible in all of your online endeavours.