Are you taking preventative measures to protect against cyber threats? If you have poor digital hygiene, you may be at risk for malware, viruses, data breaches and other cyber threats. Digital hygiene is similar to personal hygiene — except it refers to your digital habits rather than your personal grooming habits. By improving your digital hygiene, you’ll be better protected against cyber threats.
#1) Create Unique Passwords
Creating unique passwords for all your accounts promotes good digital hygiene. According to Google, nearly two in three internet users reuse passwords. Using the same password for multiple accounts is convenient, but it jeopardizes the security of your accounts. If multiple accounts have the same password and one of them is compromised, the hacker or individual behind the attack may access your other accounts.
#2) Enable MFA
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) will improve your digital hygiene. MFA is a verification method that’s used to further strengthen the security of a login-based account. With MFA enabled, you’ll have to perform an extra step to access the respective account. Along with entering your username and password, for instance, MFA may require you to enter a code that’s sent to your email address or smartphone.
#3) Delete Unneeded Data
Whether it’s stored locally on your computer or online via a cloud storage server, you should delete that you no longer want or need. Keeping the data will only increase the risk of a cyber attack. Data is sought after by hackers, many of whom either it use for identity theft. By deleting unneeded data, you’ll be less likely to sustain a cyber attack.
#4) Update, Update, Update!
We’ve all been guilty of postponing critical software updates. Performing an operating system (OS) update can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Therefore, many people postpone them. If you’re guilty of postponing software updates, though, it could lead to a cyber attack. Outdated software may contain flaws in its code, known as a vulnerability, that can be exploited for malicious purposes. Developers generally fix these flaws through the use of patches, which require an update.
#5) Use Multiple Layers of Security
Instead of relying on a single layer of security to protect against cyber attacks, use multiple layers. Some people assume that antivirus software is adequate. They only use antivirus software while ignoring other cybersecurity solutions. You can still use antivirus software, but consider adding other layers of security like a firewall and an intrusion detection system (IDS).
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