Everyone can be a victim of cybercriminals these days. Tactics are getting smarter and more effective. Users can make the wrong click online and fall directly into the trap of these thieves who are after our most sensitive information.
There is software available that promises us to keep us and all our data secure. However, it all starts with our habits when browsing on the Internet. If we have bad habits and reckless behavior in terms of where we click and provide all our information, not even the most effective and advanced cybersecurity system is going to save us.
In the following lines, we’ll review some of the things that we should not do when on the Internet.
Downloading from Any Website
Downloads are one of the main ways used by cybercriminals to have access to victims’ devices. By downloading the wrong file, we would be allowing the infection of our system, making everything easier for malicious agents to steal our data and, in some cases, cause serious damage to our hardware.
The problem is that malware is often disguised and offered as legit downloads. Then is when the user proceeds to download and get his or her device infected by the malware. In that point, only a strong cybersecurity software can save us.
Nonetheless, it is our responsibility to be careful about what we download. Pay attention to the website and determine if there is anything suspicious about it. When possible, just avoid downloads that aren’t 100 percent secure, coming from trusted sources that you know already.
Giving Up All Your Information
Privacy should be taken seriously. We give up too much information too often. Our home address, for example, should be provided only in exceptional situations and not every single time a website asks for it. This is a mistake done by many.
The same principle applies even with trusted sites. Not even potential employers, in case you’re looking for work, need to know your address. Take privacy very seriously and be jealous with information as email addresses, phone numbers, home and office addresses, legal documents, and so on.
Shopping on Unsecured Platforms
If you have to provide your credit card information, do it only with trusted providers. This habit must apply to both massive platforms and lesser-known e-commerce businesses.
Be sure that the online store is using an encrypted connection, something you can notice in the address bar of your web browser. The URL must begin with https and not with http. The “S” presence in the protocol means that the connection is encrypted and secure.
Going with Weak Passwords
A classic bad habits that too many Internet users have is to use an easy password for their online accounts. Indeed, passwords are the first line of defense in terms of cybersecurity. Malicious agents will work to get your password and part of it is simple plain guessing.
With straightforward passwords, cybercriminals have it too easy. And besides using simple passwords based on personal information that can be known at some point, you must avoid using the same password for more than two accounts.