These days we hear almost daily about serious data breaches, which could leak the personal data of millions of citizens to criminals. Below you will find some tips to ensure that your personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.
See also: Hackers impersonate job websites and steal personal information
Create secure passwords
When creating a password, think beyond words or numbers that a cybercriminal can easily guess, such as your date of birth. Choose a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and change them periodically. It’s also best to create a unique password rather than using the same password on multiple websites – a manager can help you keep your passwords organized.
Don't reveal too much personal information on social media
We all have that one friend who posts too many personal details about their life online. This can be annoying, but it can also put your personal information at risk . Check your privacy settings to know who sees your posts, and be careful when posting your location, hometown, date of birth, or other personal details.
See also: Intellihartx: Patients' personal information was stolen
Use free Wi-Fi with caution
A little online shopping never hurt anyone… or did it? Most free public Wi-Fi networks don’t have much security, which means others using the same network can easily access your activity. You should wait until you’re at home or on a secure, password-protected network before revealing your credit card.
Be careful with links and attached files
Cybercriminals are deceptive and often create phishing that look like legitimate communications from banks, service companies, or other businesses. Certain things, such as spelling mistakes or a different email address from the usual sender, can be a sign that the email is likely phishing.
See also: SSNDOB market: It sold the personal information of 24 million people
Check if the website is secure
Before you enter personal information on a website, take a look at the top of your browser. If there is a lock symbol and the URL starts with “https,” that means the website is secure. There are other ways to determine if the website is trustworthy, such as the privacy policy, contact information, or a “verified secure” badge.
Consider adding extra protection
Install antivirus, anti-spyware software, and a firewall. For extra protection, you may want to consider cybersecurity insurance, which can protect you if you fall victim to a cyberattack.
Source: chubb
