Internet security is a generic term to describe the multitude of tactics used to protect a consumer and safeguard their activities and transactions over the Internet.
What do you need to know about Internet Security?
When you browse the Internet, you are exposed to all cyber threats. Gone are the days when attackers only targeted businesses and corporations.
As an individual home user, you are equally vulnerable to attack. And if your kids use your computer to play or work, you’re just “upping the ante.” Cybercriminals can outwit even the best of us, and kids don’t stand a chance against their tactics.
So, what do you need to know about Internet safety? You need to know as much as possible, so we’ve developed this article to provide you with the comprehensive information you’ll need to arm yourself and keep your computer and data safe.
Types of Internet Security Threats:
There are a variety of Internet security threats and types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, worms, and phishing attacks.
A Computer Virus:
A computer virus is malicious code that attaches itself to clean files, replicates itself, and attempts to infect other clean files.
You can unintentionally execute a virus by opening an infected email attachment, running an infected executable file, visiting an infected website, or clicking an infected website advertisement.
Although computer viruses are rare today, accounting for less than 10% of all malware attacks, they are no less malicious than other security threats.
Trojans:
Trojans are a symbolic reference to the Trojan Horse. Since it was similar to Greek mythology, today’s Trojans are disguised as something legitimate and harmless, such as a legitimate application or malware hidden within a legitimate application.
Trojans act unobtrusively, opening backdoors to give attackers or other malware variants easy access to systems. A backdoor is a stealthy method of bypassing normal authentication or encryption on a system. It can be used to secure remote access to a system or to gain access to privileged information to corrupt or steal it.
Ransomware:
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous types of malware for internet security. Originally designed to take control of a system by locking out a user until they pay the cybercriminal a ransom to restore access, modern ransomware variants will encrypt your data. They can even exfiltrate data from your system to increase attackers’ leverage.
Worms:
Worms infect one system and replicate themselves through other systems across the network, using each consecutive infection to spread further. Worms reside in a system’s memory and can replicate hundreds of times, consuming network bandwidth.
Phishing:
Phishing is a common attack technique that uses deceptive communications from a seemingly reputable source to gain access to your personal and sensitive information. Attackers phish this information using email, instant messages, SMS, and websites.
The attacker poses as a trusted organization, such as a bank, government institution, or legitimate business, to exploit your trust and trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading a malicious attachment (malware), or disclosing sensitive information, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), financial information, or your credentials.
How to protect your home network:
While you can’t stop every cyberattack, there are rules you can follow to mitigate threats and recover more easily if you become a victim.
- Choose a Strong Password.
Always choose a strong and unique password for every website and app you use. In many cases, a website, app, or online account may give you requirements to create a password; for example, it must be at least X characters long and include at least X numbers and X symbols, etc. Never share your passwords with anyone, online or offline.
Also, use something other than spreadsheets or Word documents to remember your passwords. If breached, these documents will be available to the attacker. Instead, use a secure password manager to keep track of your passwords.
- Multi-Factor Authorization
Multi-Factor Authorization is your best tactic to prevent many attacks and secure your Internet security. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides a second layer of protection for your online accounts beyond your password.
With MFA, you sign into your account online. Still, instead of getting immediate access, you must provide additional information, such as a Personal Identification Number (PIN), a unique verification code, answers to questions only you know, etc. Sometimes, the MFA sends a text message to your mobile phone.
Many websites now allow you to set up MFA. It is the best defense against blocking an attacker from hijacking your account because if your password is stolen, the thief will not be able to access your account because another method of access is required. Check.
- Education
Education is the second-best tactic to prevent attacks. Stay on top of what’s happening in the cybersecurity space.
A lot of information is available online about the latest attacks. Information is power when it comes to combating cyber threats.
The more you know about frequent or new attacks, the better decisions you’ll make when clicking links, visiting strange websites, opening unexpected emails, or downloading documents.
- Choose a secure browser.
A secure browser provides additional internet security features to prevent cyber-attacks while browsing the Internet.
For example, some browsers will display a warning message if you try to visit a site that contains malware( early launch anti malware). The most secure browsers include Brave Browser, Tor Browser, Firefox Browser, Iridium Browser, Epic Privacy Browser, and GNU IceCat Browser.
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera are less secure, and experts suggest that you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when using these browsers for better protection.
- Use a firewall.
It would be best if you had a firewall on your network. A firewall is a network internet security system that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic between a trusted and untrusted network and blocks suspicious traffic based on security rules. A firewall is your first line of defense in mitigating online cyber-attacks.
- Install software updates as soon as possible.
Cybercriminals take advantage of internet security holes in software, which is one of the reasons software vendors provide updates. Constantly update your cybersecurity software and other applications as soon as possible to ensure internet security holes are closed, and your system is protected.
- Use only secure networks.
If you’re sitting in a coffee shop or your doctor’s office surfing the Internet, you’re not on a secure network. This means that you are more vulnerable to attack. Always use a secure network regardless of location, and keep passwords unique and strong.
- Be careful what you click and download.
Think before you click! If you receive a strange email, are visiting a strange website, or get an unexpected online advertisement, be careful what you do.
Cybercriminals continually refine their attack strategies by playing on your emotions:
- Creating fear.
- Tapping into your curiosity.
- Asking for help.
- Tempting you to empathize or sympathize.
- Make sure to create a backup of your system image.
If you are attacked, you may lose your data, and the only way to recover it is with your backup. Internet Security experts agree that you should always follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: Keep your data in three places (one production copy and two backups) across two mediums., with a backup stored offsite, such as in the cloud.
- Invest in cyber protection software.
While cybersecurity software for internet security can protect you from a breach, it doesn’t fully protect your systems, applications, and data.
Alternatively, cyber protection for internet security is an integrated solution that combines cyber security, backup, and disaster recovery, ensuring that your PC or Mac is safe and secure no matter what happens, be it a malicious attack, data deleted because of human error, data corrupted due to hardware/software failure or natural or manufactured disaster. In short, any event that causes data loss.
