Cyber safety: not only for teenagers

There are many different kinds of cyber-crime. Hackers might try to gain access to your personal information – such as your email password or banking details. They can do this by installing malware on your computer, trying to hack into your account, or tricking you into giving them the information. Then they could steal from you, impersonate you or even sell your details to the highest bidder.

A hacker might also try to use the Internet to scam you, sell you fake goods or make you do things that cost you money.

Whether you’re a new Internet user or an expert, you will benefit from reading the following tips and tools:

Never click on a link you did not expect to receive

The main way criminals infect computers with malware is by luring users to click on a link or open an attachment. The golden rule should always be not to open unless you are 100% sure.

Use different passwords on different sites

Using the same password for all of your accounts is like having one key that unlocks every door in your life. It would be extremely unwise for a person to just rely on one key to unlock the doors to their home, their car, their office and their safety deposit box, because if that key were to get lost, it would simultaneously create multiple high-risk situations that need to be addressed quickly.

Never reuse your main email password

A hacker who has cracked your main email password has the keys to your [virtual] kingdom. Passwords from the other sites you visit can be reset via your main email account. A criminal can trawl through your emails and find a treasure trove of personal data from banking to passport details, including your date of birth.

Use anti-virus software

“Antivirus” is a tool that protects your data and your PC against viruses, Trojans, botnets, rootkits, rogue security software, ransomware and all types of malicious software. Many people think that you can only get malware by downloading suspicious files or running unpatched software. The reality is that your computer could be infected just from your visiting a website. Even if you only visit websites you trust, the website itself could be compromised.

If in doubt, block

Just say no to social media invitations (such as Facebook-friend or LinkedIn connection requests) from people you don’t know. It’s the cyber equivalent of inviting the twitchy guy who looks at you at the bus stop into your home.

If you have a “wipe your phone” feature, you should set it up

Features such as Find My iPhone, Android Lost or BlackBerry Protect allow you to remotely erase all your personal data, should your device be lost or stolen. In the case where your phone is gone for good, having a wipe feature can protect your information from falling into the wrong hands. Even if you didn’t have the foresight to sign up, many wipe your phone features can be implemented after the fact.

Only shop online on secure sites

Before entering your card details, always ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol is showing in your browser. Additionally the beginning of the online retailer’s Internet address will change from “http” to “https” to indicate a connection is secure. Be wary of sites that change back to http once you’ve logged on.

Ignore pop-ups

Pop-ups can contain malicious software which can trick a user into verifying something. Always ignore pop-ups offering things like site surveys on e-commerce sites, as sometimes that’s where the malcode is.

Be wary of public Wi-Fi

These days, it’s not uncommon for us to connect to Wi-Fi wherever we go. In fact, we take it for granted that there must be Wi-Fi wherever we go! While the ability to connect just about anywhere is convenient, it also has opened the door for hackers to gain access to our personal information. If you are using an unsecured connection − in public, at home or in the office − you run the risk of exposing your sensitive data to hackers. If they hack the Wi-Fi connection you are using, they cannot only see data stored on your computer, but see data you are typing into online sites.

Add a DNS service to protect other devices

A DNS or domain name system service converts a web address (a series of letters) into a machine-readable IP address (a series of numbers). You’re probably using your ISP’s DNS service by default, but you can opt to subscribe to a service such as OpenDNS or Norton ConnectSafe, which redirects you if you attempt to access a malicious site.

 

Sources

www.getcybersafe.gc.ca
www.hubbardtwppd.org
safety.lovetoknow.com