The internet incorporates a large portion of daily life. With so much information online, you can put yourself at risk and it’s necessary for you to find ways to protect yourself. Guarding your information online can help you avoid scams, hackers, and other trouble.
Change Your Passwords Frequently
Your passwords create a wall of security so only you can access your information. However, if someone else knows or discovers your passwords, your data can be easily accessed. To protect yourself, you need to create strong passwords and change those passwords frequently. Having one password in place for a long time increases the chance of someone hacking your password and gaining access to you. Cybersecurity experts have recommended that you change your passwords about every three months. To further increase your security, avoid using the same passwords repeatedly.
Make Sure Your Internet is Secure
Today, there is access to the internet almost everywhere you go so you can easily use your devices. While this access is convenient, it isn’t always safe. Using free public Wi-Fi can pose security risks. On an unsecured network, hackers can easily monitor online traffic and target individuals. They can gain access to your data and they can either use your information or transfer malware to your device. Whenever you access the internet, make sure you use a secure internet connection. This reduces the risks of hackers and protects your information. If you are able to, you can also use your data plan to access the internet when you’re out in public rather than using public Wi-Fi.
Be Careful What You Access
To stay safe online, you need to be cautious of everything that you click on. Not all sites are safe and some can lead to your devices getting viruses or your information can be stolen. Don’t click on suspicious ads or websites. Be wary of email scams. If an email seems suspicious, don’t bother opening and definitely do not click any links within the email. When on any website, make sure it is secure before you enter any of your personal information. Typical sites that begin with “https” are usually safe.
Your personal information can be used against you while you’re online. You need to be mindful of your online security and take measures to protect yourself. Be careful when you’re online and actively improve your online security.
Check out this article for more cybersecurity tips to follow in college!