As more of our lives and personal information is kept online it has become critical that we protect ourselves by implementing cybersecurity methods. Now, more than ever, we need to defend our data against malicious attacks that can come from anywhere in the world. Smartphones have slowly taken over our entire lives, now acting as a wallet, key, and personal communication device. But not only does our phone hold all of our personal information, but it is also just another point where hackers can attempt to infiltrate our personal network.
Here is where cybersecurity becomes so essential in defending our personal data. In an instant, your entire life can be wiped out. Your financial accounts drained, passwords compromised, and you could even have your identity stolen. If you store a lot of your data online and utilize things like online banking and cloud storage, it pays to learn a little about the best and most important cybersecurity method implemented in Canada.
Upgrade Your Cybersecurity Software
These days, it isn’t really about installing antivirus or malware scanners like it was before. We now have extremely intuitive and intelligent cybersecurity software platforms that are made for both enterprises and personal users. Some of these programs, lIke Crowdstrike for example, utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a network of secure endpoints for its clients. Imagine a giant digital net that covers every endpoint on the Crowdstrike platform. When one point is attacked, the platform sends this data to every other endpoint effectively creating a vast network of strengthened defenses.
Here is a list of some of the best Cybersecurity software platforms on the market:
- Crowdstrike
- Cloudflare
- SentinelOne
- Okta
- ZScaler
- McAfee
Many of these are enterprise and cloud security operators, but you can find cyber security platforms that cater to individuals and consumers as well. If you own a business or do a lot of work online, it is definitely worth investing in some of these cybersecurity tools.
Use a Private Browser
Have you ever seen Incognito Mode in Google Chrome or Private Browser Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium? These features come in handy when you are using a shared or public computer. Instead of having your logins and passwords saved in the many layers of internet browsing history, private browsers do not automatically save this information as regular browsers do. Private browsers also have some defenses against tracking based on cookies, which means sites and companies may not be able to follow your online behavior as easily.
So how do you use a private browser? Simply right-click on the Google Chrome logo in your taskbar and select New Incognito Window. Browse the internet as you wish and rest assured that once you close out of that Incognito Window, your internet history and data will be wiped clean.
Use High-Security Websites
This should be a no-brainer for people but you would definitely be surprised. Keep your passwords safe and always change them to keep them up to date. This is especially true if you often visit websites like online casinos. These sites work hard to provide a secure environment for their players to enjoy, especially when sensitive information like banking data is inputted into the site. In Canada, one example of a secure online casino that comes to mind is Dream Vegas. What sets Dream Vegas apart from its competitors? First, the site protects your information and will only use it as applicable by law. Second, Dream Vegas Casino has high security parameters where user payment methods and banking information is stored securely on the site.
Online casino sites will lose their player’s trust if they don’t have high-security features implemented. The industry is also governed by law and is held accountable for any data breaches or hacks that would result in user information being leaked. Any site that accepts direct payments will have a higher cybersecurity method implemented so that you can play without fear of your personal data being compromised.
Consider Multi-Factor Authentication
What is multi-factor authentication? You know when you sign up for a new account somewhere and they require you to confirm an email or enter a code that they sent to you via SMS? That is multi-factor authentication, and it is critical to sites to confirm that you are the person logging into your account. The rule for multi-factor authentication, as the name suggests, is to provide more than one confirmation that shows the website that you are indeed yourself. It is an essential component to identity security and access management systems and is widely becoming the norm for sites, particularly those that hold important personal data.
Protect Your Passwords
It’s still shocking to see how many people do not think passwords should be kept private. Protect your passwords by not writing them down or storing them in a place that is easily accessible to others. Update your passwords regularly, and change them completely, do not just alter the number on the end. Password management is a very basic yet effective cybersecurity method and should be followed regularly, even for sites that do not hold personal information. Try not to autosave passwords on your computer or smartphone, and do not use the same password for all of your accounts.
Keep Your Hardware Secure
This is yet another extra step you can take to ensure that your cyber security starts with the hardware you are using. Add passwords for logging into your computer, and even additional questions or multi-factor authentication if your device allows it. Fingerprint and retina or face scanners are good, but you also need to protect your login pins if your facial recognition doesn’t work. Even if you are the only user on your computer, make sure it is still password encrypted, just in case it one day falls into the wrong hands. Also, consider putting a limit on access to your devices if the password is entered incorrectly on too many occasions. These may seem basic and a hassle, but protecting your hardware is the first step in having a safe online presence.