Best Practices to protect yourself from Cyber Attacks and Fraud in 2023.

We entered the year 2023, and cyber threats and attacks are increasing every day requiring best practices to protect yourself.

Below are the few best practices to protect yourself from cyber attacks and cyber fraud.

1.   Keep your system up to date. 

Your laptop/desktop must be using with latest system software and application software.

2.   Avoid opening suspicious emails

Whenever you are checking your email, check the warning messages in the Inbox, if anything looks suspicious do not open the email. 

3.   Encrypt data while sharing files 

Sharing data in plain text can be accessed by hackers and your confidential information may lead to monitory and business loss hence always share your data in encrypted form, you may use

4.   Install anti-virus and anti-malware software. 

Always make sure that your system is protected from Anti-virus and additionally malware software must be installed to protect your system from virus and malware attacks. 

5.   Don’t be lazy with your password 

Your password must be a minimum of eight characters with a combination of alphabets, numbers, and special characters 

E.g. 

·      At least 8 characters long

·      Must be a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, and special symbols.

·      Random and unique.

6.   Enable 2-factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is one of the crucial factors to prevent unauthorized access to the application and systems. 2-Factor authentication provides an additional security layer that provides the authentication code to another device or mobile or app that helped to authenticate the real user.  

7.   Remove Ads from the system and web browser. 

Free ad endorsement through applications exploits the system and that eventually harms the system in the form of stealing data or installing malware software. 

8.   Always open HTTPS websites

Sometimes accessing websites without a secure layer, always check the websites, it must be a security layer with HTTPS.

9.   Avoid storing important in non-secure places.

Do not save your password in an email draft or anywhere in the plain text file. Always use password protector software to save your password. 

10. Always scan external storage devices for viruses. 

Whenever you are connecting external devices such as USB PEN Drive, External hard disk, etc. must be scanned first before opening it. 

11. Avoid using Public Internet networks.  

Don’t use a public and open network, nowadays there are many public internet providers and ad agencies tied up with other vendors for a certain duration as a freebee.

12. Always keep a backup of important data.

Keep multiple backups of your important data like contacts, emails, crypto access keys, personal photos, videos, and evidence. 

13. Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it.

Many a time, we use to turn on the Bluetooth in our mobile and forget to turn it off which leads to entering the mobile devices and data stolen and used for crimes and fraud.