In the last ten years, the world has quietly shifted from one where wars are fought with missiles and hypersonic bombs to zeros and one where your enemy's strength is measured by how much information they have about you.
People are becoming more scared of their information being fed to big data machines than dying of cancer (Just kidding), but there has been a rise in cyber attacks, according to Forbes.
There were 2,365 cyberattacks in 2023, with 343,338,964 victims. 2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021 and bound to double in 2024.
Malicious actors have become more sophisticated, and so should you; securing your data is now more important than ever as our lives are increasingly intertwined with the online world.
From social media to online banking, we leave digital footprints everywhere we go. But with this convenience comes risk.
According to Proofpoint, 1 in every 3 Americans has been hit by identity theft, like Kemi, a 32-year-old Product Manager whose identity was stolen.
Her sim was cloned, and her two-factor authentication was bypassed. They wiped out her savings and maxed out her credit cards in minutes.
Kemi’s nightmare is far from unique. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) logged more than 1 million identity theft reports in 2023. These reports included more than 2.6 million related fraud cases, with total losses of more than $10.3 billion.
It gets even scarier as personal information stolen is sold to malicious actors who can use this information to blackmail their victims.
While the tales are glummy, you can protect yourself. Here are ten critical ways to safeguard your personal information online:
1. Fortify Your Passwords
Remember when your dog's name and birth year seemed like a clever password? Those days are long gone. Create strong, unique passwords for each account. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Better yet, use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
There are so many password generator platforms online, and they are mostly free.
Do not use simple and easy-to-guess passwords, as there are tools such as password crackers that can crack these passwords. I wrote an article on Build Your First Password Cracker.
You can even create your own password generator if you do not trust the online platforms. Find the steps outlined on GitHub.
2. Embrace Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Think of 2FA as a bouncer for your digital life. Even if someone cracks your password, they'll need a second form of identification to get in. Enable 2FA wherever possible, especially for email and financial accounts.
Use Authenticators for your 2FA, if possible, for more security if your password gets compromised.
Ensure your emails have recovery emails if you find out your emails are compromised. You can set up a recovery mail from here if you are using Google Mail.
Use obfuscated emails to avoid spam on your emails or compromised mail being sold on the dark web; Duckduckgo email protection conceals your email.
3. Be a Social Media Ninja
Oversharing on social media is like leaving your front door wide open. Adjust your privacy settings to control who sees your posts. Be cautious about what you share – that innocent vacation photo could tell burglars you're away from home.
Do not log in to your personal information on other people's devices; if you must, use incognito mode and make sure to log out and change all your passwords from your device when you log in.
Make sure not to share events in real time, such as vacations, eat-outs, and social events that might easily show where you are.
Clear your browsing history, cookies, and cache. Use private browsing modes when possible. It's like cleaning your house – a regular digital declutter keeps things tidy and secure.
Take a weekend and clean your online digital footprint.
Follow this guide to learn how to delete your social media footprint from the internet.
4. Treat Public Wi-Fi Like a Public Bathroom
It's convenient but potentially dirty. Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks. If you must, use a VPN to encrypt your data.
For more clarity, Public Wi-Fi is a bustling city park where everyone can hear your conversations.
This openness means your data travels over a shared network that others can potentially intercept. Without proper encryption, cybercriminals can eavesdrop on your online activities, steal personal information
To keep your online life private, treat public Wi-Fi like you would a crowded space - be cautious, keep your valuables close, and consider wearing a digital disguise (VPN) for extra protection.
There are lots of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) you can use to obfuscate your identity on the internet.
This article explored some of the best, both paid and free.
5. Update, Update, Update
Software updates are like vaccines for your devices. They patch vulnerabilities and protect against the latest threats. Don't ignore those update notifications – they could save you from a digital disease.
Before you scream Crowdstrike, I wrote an article about the patch that broke the internet. Who is getting fired?
Keep updating your devices whenever and however, as the updates protect your devices and keep them secure.
6. Use Security Software
Think of security software as your digital immune system. Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware programs, and keep them updated. They're your first line of defense against many online threats.
Stay away from free antivirus as most of them come with back doors or there are payloads for attacks as well.
Visit reputable sites to get the best product.
Protecting your personal information online isn't just about following a checklist. It's about developing a security-conscious mindset. Every click, every share, every download is an opportunity to safeguard your digital self.
Conclusion
The internet is a vast, wonderful place full of opportunities. But like any frontier, it has its dangers. By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can explore the digital world with confidence. Your online safety is in your hands – take control of it today.
Top comments (0)