5 insanely easy tips for better online security
Internet security is a topic that has many interesting arguments, sometimes poles apart from each other. Depending upon who you are talking to, internet security is a terrifying scenario leading towards anarchy or it is all just a myth.
Edward Snowden, the NSA security analyst made startling revelations that US government is spying on its own citizens. Although many believe him and the evidence would suggest so, but there are some who oppose this idea.
Whether you think government spies on you or not is irrelevant. Because even without the government, our private information is not secure. We carry electronic devices that has all our information – literally. One cell phone hacked and give hacker more information in a few seconds than surveilling you for months.
Surely we are not going to stop using internet are we? Therefore here are some tips you can use for better safety.
- Use VPN when downloading stuff
Let’s not pretend we never download any music and movies with copyrights. Yes, we do. But did you know that you can be charged for this? How to protect yourself? Become anonymous.
A VPN will protect you. It will hide your IP and make you untraceable. You don’t need protection when downloading illegal stuff, so check this list of best vpns: https://vpntrends.com/best-vpn-services/.Remember there is government spying on you and hackers looking to steal your information and sell it to the highest bidder.
- Enable two-factor authentication
Two factor authentication is becoming quite a trend now and it pretty fool proofs your security. In two-factor authentication apart from entering the password you also have to put in the security code that is usually sent to your mobile phone.
A password can be guessed and found out. Many people normally use the same password for everything. So there is a risk involved but two-factor authentication eliminates that risk.
Just a little bit of time and effort can protect your privacy.
- Update your browser and devices
When it comes to updating browsers and software in general, there is nothing more boring you can do on the computer. However, updating browser, Windows and other software is very important – more important thank you think.
Normally these updates are patches that protect your system from recently discovered malware. Therefore keep your devices and browsers updated at all times.
- Use strong passwords and a password manager
Remembering password is a very difficult thing. Many users have same password for everything. In a survey conducted in United States, 80% of hack victims had generic passwords like 123456 or UnitedStates1990.
Unfortunately hackers and trouble makers know this trick very well. You should use apps like LastPass or 1Password that generate strong passwords and also manage them.
- Do a Google Security Checkup
No one particularly likes to take surveys, fill out forms, and do security checkups online although these things contribute to the betterment of a product or service. But people generally are very self-absorbed these days. Google probably realized this when they added a bonus to anyone who takes their security checkup. Google offers 2GB extra space on GDrive.
The program runs and scans all your Google accounts. After that it provides you with a log of all activity against your account. You see all the logins, from which devices on what dates – hence if there is any funny business, you can immediately pinpoint it.
About the author:
Nuur Hasan is a software developer and a political activist, he intends to dedicate his life to the becoming the voice of the voiceless.
