Today we depend on computers and the Internet for everything right from maintaining records, communicating through email, shopping through online stores, paying online through credit cards, entertainment and the list goes on. However information stored on computers is extremely prone to several vulnerable risks such as theft of credit card information, unauthorized purchases from your stolen card, viruses damaging your entire system, hackers breaking into your system and removing or altering files, and so on.
Considering vast amount of personal information stored in our PC’s and computers in offices, it becomes essential to ensure cyber security. Especially cyber spying or cyber espionage has become so common, and that’s why cyber security is very much important today. Hackers obtain personal and sensitive information without the knowledge of the users by using malicious cracking techniques such as Trojan horses and spyware. Although there is no fool proof method to ensure 100 % cyber security but by taking few preventive measures you can prevent most of the risks to a great extent.
Choose password carefully:
Generally many people commit the mistake of using password which are based on personal information. The first and foremost thing which you must do is create unique passwords which are not easy to guess. Try and use both lowercase and capital letters as it makes even more difficult to crack the password. Always go for longer passwords as they are far more secure than shorter ones. It is important that you don’t use the same password for all the programs you log into. Else if the hacker guesses the password he can easily log into all your programs.
Use updated anti-virus and Firewalls:
Always use the updated anti-virus program. No matter which anti-virus you buy, installing it always enhances your level of protection. Generally all anti-virus perform the same function. So your decision to choose a particular anti-virus can depend upon price, or particular features. Never ever open email attachment which claim to include anti-virus software as these emails are nothing but hoax. In addition, install Firewalls which provide protection to your network system from outside malicious hackers by blocking Internet traffic from uncertain, suspicious locations. Firewalls are extremely important for people who prefer ‘always on’ connections such as DSL modems or cable.
Caution in security:
Many websites and online services require users to register an account and provide a password, which is a good thing: they are being protective of your details (and whatever else you keep there). However be cautious about having one ‘universal’ password. If a hacker were to get hold of it, then they would have access to everything, and could even use it to change your details, and lock you out of your accounts. Repairing such damage would be very time-consuming.
Be wary of ‘Cloud Storage’:
Cloud Storage is a form of data-storage conducted solely online. It offers users either free or cheap use of its servers, and many people use it to ‘file’ documents and the like. It is an innovative and useful service. However, be wary of storing anything containing personal or confidential information in ‘The Cloud’, as it has gained a reputation for not being totally secure.
