20 Tips and Tricks To Avoid Online Hacking

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Cyber ​​crime is a global problem. Individuals as well as large companies are regularly attacked by hackers. Their methods evolve along with the strengthening of security systems and the growing phenomenon. But to protect against this type of attack, there were still effective techniques.

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On the Internet, with your computer or smartphone, you can practice basic tips to protect yourself from hackers.

1. Set a strong password

Passwords are useful for securing your device as well as your accounts on the Internet. This is a mandatory key on social networks as well as for email. But for a computer or smartphone, the choice is in the hands of the user to use it or not.

The first mistake to avoid is not setting a password for your device. You should also choose them carefully so that your passwords are not easily guessed.

The strongest passwords are those that are long and contain uppercase letters and special characters. Your password must also be neutral. It should not refer to your daily life or your environment.

The more complex the password, the more reliable it is. Using the same code for different accounts or devices is also not recommended. If a hacker manages to crack it, he will have access to all your data.

2. Change your password regularly

Most of the time, setting a strong password is not enough to stop hackers. They have different reinforced and discreet ways to hack your code. So changing your password regularly will negate their efforts.

By using the same password over a long period of time, it may be known by those around you. You should therefore change them regularly to protect yourself from their curiosity or malicious intent, as hacks can also come from your closest circle.

3. Choose a password manager

A password manager is an application that will make it easier for you to manage your security. They help you create strong passwords and then save them for later use.

To connect to an application or website, the password manager will be able to generate a suitable code for you with complete security.

This is an important type of application because you will need to set different passwords for all your internet connections. A password manager works like a safe guarding your access. It can also prevent you from locking or losing your account due to an incorrect password.

4. Use two-step authentication on the Internet

Passwords can be cracked. Or a little care can support hacker access to your account. To deal with this possibility, two-step authentication has been integrated into various applications and websites.

After validating your access, the authentication system will send you a confirmation code. This randomly generated 6-digit string must be re-entered to validate the connection to your account. This second code can be sent via SMS to your phone number or to an authentication application.

5. Use antivirus

Antivirus or anti-malware is a security application whose role is to intercept malicious software. They are programmed to detect threats from the Internet and your device. With this application, you can also schedule regular scans to detect the presence of viruses.

Therefore you should install a strong antivirus on your computer, smartphone, tablet and other devices. There are free antiviruses, but it is better to choose a paid license which gives you special advantages. It is also recommended to update your antivirus regularly to fix security vulnerabilities.

6. Pay attention to your email

The act of computer hijacking mostly goes through the mailbox. Phishing emails sent by scammers. They contain links that redirect to unofficial pages of the main website.

The pages are clones so they might look exactly like the official addresses. Its purpose is to steal your personal information. Your passwords or credit card information can be stolen with this method.

Therefore you should be careful with the emails you receive. Before clicking on any link, you can check the exact source of the email. This will prevent you from getting caught in a phishing trap. Link analysis is also recommended, as suspicious emails can also come from hacked relative accounts.

7. Find suspicious text messages

Phishing also bypasses your phone's messaging system. Suspicious messages may be disguised as warnings from your bank or insurance company. In these messages, the hacker usually offers a reward or opportunity. They often emphasize urgency and this should pique your curiosity.

Some dubious SMS can play with emotions by offering amazing bonuses or promotions. Do not click on the links contained in these messages.

8- Make purchases on secure websites

Apart from the main e-commerce sites, other platforms also sell various items. Some specialize in connecting buyers and sellers. Sometimes it can also be a showcase site for companies that sell their own products. All of these platforms integrate online payment systems.

But to make sure that you are really on a secure site and that your banking information is protected, check the address. Every secure website should be marked with HTTPS. Simple HTTP means your information can be stolen. Pay attention to these details the next time you make an online payment.

9. Don't download from dubious websites

There are many banned websites that offer free downloads of other software and files that are basically paid for. This platform is part of the dark web and escapes the scrutiny of the authorities.

No security is guaranteed on the websites that offer these free downloads. Virus-infected files abound in it. They can serve as Trojans for other malware that will attack your data.

10. Update your device security system

Whether Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android or iOS, all of these operating systems offer regular updates. You must continue the download once the notification is sent to you. Firewalls and security systems are frequently tightened in these updates.

Updates are generally made in response to new types of attacks. Not updating your system could expose you to hacking.

11. Install approved apps

For your smartphone, you should limit yourself to apps that come from official app stores. There is a Play Store for Android and an App Store for iPhone users.

The application security certificates in this store have been validated by the manufacturer. Therefore, they pose no potential threat to your data. Apps from other sources cannot be verified and hide security vulnerabilities. So it is recommended not to install applications from unknown sources. Because it can break security.

12. Don't save credit card information

It is easier today to make purchases on the Internet. Credit cards are often used to manage transactions, as they are more secure than debit cards. To validate the payment, you must enter your card information. It is advisable to never save it on a website.

Your browser may offer you this option to facilitate your next transaction. But never give in to this temptation. For credit cards, it is also recommended to use a card that is specifically dedicated to internet transactions. This further protects your main account in the event of a hacking attempt.

13. Block your phone if lost

It's possible that you lost your phone. The value of the device is not the most worrying, but the personal data it contains. You must enable remote lock of your smartphone the first time you use it. If it is lost, you can block the smartphone from your user account. This is a security tip that applies on Android as well as on iPhone.

14. Avoid public wifi

Public wifi is often free and can be tempting. But connecting to these hotspots can put your data at risk. Hackers easily infiltrate this network. They themselves can create access points to lure internet users into stealing their information. Access to your social media accounts or banking information can be intercepted on these unsecured networks.

15. Don't use common chargers

Public chargers save the lives of smartphone users. The urgent need to recharge your smartphone so as not to be disconnected pushes towards this public station. But these charging points can be infected with viruses.

Hackers have a strategic way of controlling connected smartphones. Malicious software can be installed without your knowledge and steal your personal data or harm your confidential files.

16. Check your connected objects

Apart from a computer or smartphone, many everyday objects can be connected to the Internet. This includes televisions and surveillance cameras. All these smart devices usually share the same wifi network.

This is a loophole because hackers can infiltrate your network through these potentially unsafe objects. However, you can set custom passwords for these different devices. It is also possible to strengthen security at the router level by installing a firewall.

17. Save important documents locally

To make your files available at any time or to free memory on disk storage, cloud solutions are often needed. This method of saving files to virtual storage can compromise your security.

Hackers also attack the servers of the company hosting your files. Incidents like these have made the sensitive data of Internet users public. Therefore, your highly confidential files should be stored locally. To keep control of the data stored in your cloud, it is recommended to disable automatic data downloading. Your privacy will be protected.

18. Define complex security questions

To recover a forgotten password or make administrative settings on your computer, you can set a security question with an answer that only you know.

During setup, choose complex questions whose answers are not easy to guess. You should also choose an answer that deviates from reality. Your news on social networks can betray you and suggest answers for hackers.

19. Check the status of your email address

Even with tight security on all sides, hackers can infiltrate your privacy. However, there is a very simple way to find out if your email address has been compromised. Some platforms allow you to analyze your email status. This will allow you to check your security and be aware of potential leaks of your data.

Still about the email address, it is also possible to find out the number of devices connected to it. Disable all unknown logins and change passwords if you suspect.

20. Use a VPN

Since most hacker attacks originate from the Internet, a VPN can help you. This app lets you surf the web incognito. They hide your IP address and then give you another one. The VPN also redirects your connection to virtual servers in different countries.

By being invisible on the Internet, it is less likely that hackers will be able to see you. The VPN also has a strong encryption system that prevents hackers from intercepting your sensitive data. The ideal is to install it on all your connected devices to minimize the risk.