8 Expert Tips to Fortify Your Digital Fortress

It’s Cyber Awareness Month, so let’s make sure you’re secured with our cyber security guide!

In today’s digital age, protecting your online presence is essential. With cyber threats seemingly lurking around every virtual corner, it’s high time we all sharpened our digital knowhow. So, to help, we’ve created a short list of the 8 most useful (and easy!) tips to help you stay safe online

1. Stick to the Secure Side of the Web

It’s not too common a site these days, but try to stick to secure sites. What do we mean by that? Essentially, if there’s a padlock in the address bar, the communication between you and the site is secured. However, criminals now this trick and will often create secure sites, to fool victims. That’s why you also need to….

2. Be Sherlock: Investigate, investigate, investigate

Ever received an email from a long-lost Nigerian prince, offering you unimaginable riches? Don’t let curiosity get the best of you. Scrutinize the sender of any unfamiliar or bizarre emails, and never click on suspicious links! Also, make sure if you’re on a website it’s the legitimate site – some scammers use web addresses that are close to the original to fool you (think Aamazon instead of Amazon, and you get the idea.)

3. Passwords: Unleash Your Inner Creativity

The timeless advice remains as true as ever: never underestimate the power of a strong, unique password. Remember that “unique” means never repeating the same password for different accounts. That way, if one of your passwords gets compromised, it doesn’t mean all of your accounts do. Using longer passphrases, rather than a single word, can be your secret weapon against hackers. Mix upper- and lower-case letters, toss in some numbers and symbols, and voilà! You’ve got yourself a digital fortress! Not got time for that? Fine, grab yourself a password manager and you’re good to go.

4. Boost your security by using Two-Factor Authentication

One password isn’t enough! Bulk up your defences with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). It’s like having an extra lock on your front door. After entering your password, you’ll need a one-time code generated password. It can be a little tricky to get set up, but once it’s set up, you’re good to go.

5. Keep your software up to date

Hackers love exploiting software vulnerabilities. Stay ahead by updating your software and apps. Software updates often contain crucial security patches that keep your system resilient against the latest threats.

6. Backup, Backup, Backup!

Imagine losing all your data in a digital apocalypse! To avoid such a nightmare, embrace the habit of regular backups. Whether it’s to the cloud or an external hard drive, ensure your valuable files have a safe haven. Additionally, you can get Windows or your Mac to automate this for you – just pick a date and where to store the backup and your OS will do the rest.

7. The Power of VPNs

We’ve all been there – you’re out and about, and all of a sudden – no internet connection. But, just as you start to despair, free Wi-Fi is available! Before you connect remember, an open network is much like a public swimming pool – you’re not sure who else is using it. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a great way to connect to open networks, whilst keeping your data safe. But remember, make sure you get a VPN provider you can trust – such as ours!

8. Stay Tuned for More Wisdom

Finally, keep the curiosity alive! The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and knowledge is your most effective weapon. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates, tips, and insights to ensure you’re always ahead.

To learn more about Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out the event website.