In 2021, we cannot think about leaving the internet; instead, our dependence on the cyber world will increase manifold in the years to come.
With the advent of technology, cybercrime has spiked too. As consumers and businesses, we are left with no other choice but to protect ourselves from cybercrime.
Research by Gartner states that the Cybersecurity market is expected to increase up to $170.4 billion by 2022.
Hackers will develop advanced methods to breach websites, and developers are keen on developing robust tools to counter them.
But what is there for you to know in this process? How can you protect yourself in simple ways?
Well, here are ten tips to protect yourself against the bad guys:
1. Install a security protocol
A business website should always be kept under strict surveillance. A robust security system should protect it.
Speaking of a robust security system, there is none better than a Secure Socket Layer or SSL certificate.
An SSL certificate is a security protocol that protects your website by encrypting the data transfer between a website and a server.
It uses a Public Key Infrastructure to commence and execute communication between two entities safely.
SSL are of three types, namely a regular single-domain SSL, Multi domain SSL and a Wildcard SSL; let’s look at all of them:
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Regular SSL
A regular SSL can protect a single domain at a given time. Therefore, it is suitable for small businesses that want to keep their operations to a single domain.
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Multi Domain SSL
Multi domain SSL certificate is an ideal certificate to secure multiple level of domains with robust 256-bit encryption and 2048-bit RSA key.
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Wildcard SSL
A wildcard SSL protects a primary domain along with an unlimited number of its first-level subdomains. Therefore, it is best for large businesses to expand their reach by adding more subdomains to their primary domain. To obtain a wildcard SSL, you must get either a Domain or Organizational validation, depending on your needs.
If you are looking to buy any of the three certificates, we recommend going for reliable CAs such as Comodo SSL Certificate, Sectigo SSL, RapidSSL, AlphaSSL or GeoTrust SSL certificates. They are cheap, trusted, effective, and have the best after-sale services.
2. Don’t use the same passwords everywhere
Do you want your Twitter, Facebook, Website, and system to get compromised all at once?
I believe not. Never use the same password to protect all your accounts.
Especially in the case of a website, it is a strict NO-NO. You cannot use your Facebook password there and assume that it is protected.
If remembering passwords is not your cup of tea then, go for a password manager.
PMs auto-generate passwords, and you don’t even have to remember a password again.
3. Use Google’s authenticator
Credentials are your last line of defense. If they get breached, no software can save your day.
Google’s Authentication tool can help safeguard your login page as they provide 2-factor authentication.
Whenever someone tries to log in to a Google Authenticated website, they have to type a “One Time Password” sent over their registered mobile number or email address.
If a user fails to enter the correct OTP, GA won’t allow them to log in even if they provide the correct password.
This robust tool should be a part of your login process.
4. Don’t indulge in random chats
You never know what the other person has in mind, which is why it is best to restrict your chat box to a limited number of people whom you can trust.
Never pass your personal information on your site’s chat support system. First, you must confirm whether the person on the other end is your customer or not.
Moreover, when accessing your website in public, always use a VPN to secure your connection.
There are plenty of options available when it comes to VPN. You can choose a reliable VPN and buy it.
5. Don’t trust websites
Here is one for the consumers, you must never trust any website that tries to get your personal details.
As a consumer, our protection is our responsibility. But unfortunately, no government body can protect you from cybercrime if you hand over your sensitive information to random websites.
Phishing attacks are quite common these days. Hackers send out unsolicited emails by copying a company’s email template.
Such emails can ask you to click on an unsolicited link or visit a random website to avail your offer.
Once clicked, such links redirect you to a website with malware that gets injected into your system.
6. Check out the reports
Some websites publish reports regarding cybercrime. By reading them, you can understand the pattern they are currently following to compromise websites.
Such reports can be helpful to plan your security strategy as they give you an insight into the current scenario.
Successful business owners always keep an eye on statistics so that they can optimize their security protocols accordingly.
Moreover, these reports will also help you train your staff for the upcoming attacks, and you can successfully repel a major upcoming attack.
7. Don’t go by default
Default settings are standard settings. They are integrated, keeping masses in mind.
But such settings can be dangerous. Since ads, pop-ups, and VPNs are not enabled by default, malicious ads and pop-ups can come up anytime and start auto-downloading malware into your device.
So, whenever you use an app or a website, always customize the settings according to your comfort.
Never trust the default setup to protect you from an upcoming cyberattack. Moreover, never trust apps and websites to be unbiased.
Some apps even have tie-ups with the bad guys; trusting their default settings can be catastrophic.
8. Keep upgrading yourself
You might think that it’s a developer’s job to educate himself, but that is untrue.
As a business owner, you have to take responsibility for your protection. Cybercrimes are evolving every day, and you must evolve in the same proportion too.
However, search engines, CMS platforms, security protocols, and plugins are advancing to tackle the threats and make the internet safe.
But you have to give yourself a chance against such cyber thieves if you find your back against the wall.
So, keep educating yourself.
9. Choose automatic updates
Automatic updates can help you stay clear of the update duty. We know how hectic your schedule might be and taking time out for regular manual updates is nearly impossible.
So, it is best to opt for an automatic update in your software so you no longer have to visit your settings.
Hackers won’t get a chance to compromise your system, and you can operate at your full potential without worrying about your software’s health.
10. Stay suspicious
Always be suspicious about what you receive in your official mail. Phishing attacks are more prominent than ever, which is why taking even a single email lightly may cost you a substantial amount of time and money.
The same goes for telephone calls too. If the caller Is making overwhelming claims, he might be trying to fool you into taking action.
Anything too good to believe should not be believed.
Moreover, avoid clicking unsolicited links in the mail or message as they too can contain malware that can harm your website or device.
To Conclude
Protection against cybercrime is one of the biggest challenges for a modern-day business owner which is why so many seek out a managed IT services provider.
For your website to rank and be in a secure space, you need to make constant efforts.
Regardless of how easy venturing on the internet has become, cybercrime will not go easy on people.
So, to give yourself a chance, you must have everything in a systematic order. Therefore, tracking and tracing is one big factor that comes out from this article.
If you can track your data communications and everyday conversations, fighting against cybercrime can be easy for you.
So, these were the ten ways to prevent cybercrime, ensure that you follow them and stay protected.