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Keeping your information safe online can be harder than it looks, and with computer systems constantly updating, it can be difficult to know how to keep your data protected. If you want to strengthen your online security, here are five easy steps to help you and your information stay safe online.
Protect your passwords
Your online passwords protect your data, your money and your identity. Make sure you stay safe by setting up two-factor authentication for important accounts, regularly reviewing your passwords and using a new password for every account you set up.
You can also invest in a password manager, which will create and store your passwords for you, or switch to a passkey, which is the most secure form of password, using biometrics to log you in to your account.
Beware of scam emails
Are you getting emails that don’t look quite right? It could be that the email address looks off, or the branding isn’t the same as it used to be. Whether it looks like it’s from your bank or a subscription, always think twice before clicking on a link in an email. If you’re unsure whether the email you’ve received is safe, head to the website instead and log in there.
Back up your data
Your laptop could be stolen, hacked, or suddenly break down. If you don’t have your data backed up when this happens, it could be lost forever. You can stop this from happening by keeping all your data from your devices backed up to a secure location. Whether it’s to a hard drive, the cloud or another device, this protects you from losing your information should something go wrong.
Keep your devices updated
All computers and smartphones run on an operating system that regularly updates. Part of the update will include security improvements that keep your information safe online. Make sure your updates don’t fall behind, leaving your device vulnerable. You can set your device to automatically update. Otherwise, you should get a notification every time a new update is ready.
Connect to secure networks
Secure networks keep your computer safe. If you connect to an unsecure network, such as public or free Wi-Fi, this may not be encrypted, meaning that other people could monitor you whilst you’re using the Internet. Many browsers will inform you if you’re using a connection that isn’t secure. You can check if your connection is secure by looking at the small lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
What do you think of these Internet safety tips? Did we miss any? If you’re wondering how you can make your accounts more secure, or you’re worried about your IT security, get in touch to find out more about how we can help.
