As we grow dependent on technology with each passing day, we need to develop better online security defenses! 52,974 cyber crimes were reported in India in 2021, which has increased by 6% from the previous year. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Telangana topped the list of states, accounting for more than 19%. Isn’t this shocking? We are sharing more of our private information with the internet, which is accessible to anyone online, as we continue to spend a lot more time online. These threats are evolving and increasing swiftly as more people access the internet through mobile devices. Regardless of the sort of information exchanged, many things, including your identity, may be in danger if it ends up in the wrong hands. It is crucial to safeguard this sensitive data from any kind of cyber-attacks. Cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent than ever. A single click on a shady link can wreak havoc by stealing data and costing money. As a result, users must now be vigilant to protect their data. As opposed to hardware, software, or system vulnerabilities, individuals are becoming a more popular target for cybercriminals. But first, we need to understand what exactly Cyber Security is. Simply said, the phrase "cyber security" refers to any technologies, procedures, and practices used to safeguard online information from illegal access or misuse. By adhering to internet safety guidelines and best cybersecurity practices, individuals contribute to cybersecurity every day.

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Why Cyber Security?

In the modern world, where information is frequently stored online and readily accessible to anybody who desires it, cyber security has become essential. Recently, news stories about Facebook and Google's data privacy practices were featured in various newspapers. Although it's critical to safeguard your data, businesses also need to know how to manage sensitive and private information supplied by consumers. Personal information is attacked in data breaches; private data is no longer private. Attackers may break into systems, networks, and accounts to steal data, including credit card numbers, bank account information, and valuable company information.

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Here are the Top 10 Cyber safety rules to help you avoid getting into cyber attacks online.

Keep your personal information strictly personal

Never enter your banking related information on a website that isn't secure (check the URL bar of your browser for the padlock or the "https://" prefix). Turn off your card using your mobile banking app if you believe your credit card information is being used fraudulently online. It's crucial to safeguard your personal information offline because it can spread quickly online once sensitive data has been taken. As you make transactions, remember to cover your PIN pad and be familiar with credit card skimmers at petrol pumps. Another option to protect your financial information is by using a chip debit card. The chip card is said to be more secure than the conventional magnetic strip debit card for several reasons, including the more advanced chip technology.

Always use proper Antivirus protection & Firewall

Software for AV (antivirus) protection has been the most popular method of thwarting hostile assaults. Antivirus software prevents malware and other harmful viruses from accessing your device and corrupting your data. Use antivirus programs from reputable providers, and only have one Antivirus application running on your system. Another crucial step in protecting your data from unwanted attacks is the use of a firewall. A firewall controls what traffic is allowed to reach your device and assists in blocking hackers, malware, and other harmful Internet activities. The firewalls included with Windows and Mac OS X are called Windows Firewalls and Mac Firewalls. A firewall should also be included in your router to shield your network from threats.

Use a very unique, strong password & store them in a password manager

An effective passphrase consists of at least two words, preferably more. Make sure the phrase has at least 10 characters. To make your passphrase more difficult, you can include capital letters, numerals, and other special characters or symbols. You could use a password manager because there are many different passwords and passphrases to remember. It is an encrypted digital vault that may protect sensitive data, credentials, and identities and is secured by a single master password or passphrase.

Always think before you click

This is one of the most significant cyber security recommendations you should consider if you want to protect your data. Keep an eye out for strange links that you may receive in emails, messages, or while visiting insecure websites. One of the most popular ways hackers get your personal data is through clickjacking. Just because you can click on these links doesn't mean you should since if they are malicious, you could lose a lot of money and have other negative effects on your life. Links in emails, such as those with password recovery instructions or bank statements, are among the most common ways for hackers to deceive you and steal your personal data. These links lead to bogus websites that are far too similar to legitimate websites, which hackers use to trick you into giving them your personal information and then accessing your account.

Have your privacy settings On

Both marketers and hackers want to know everything about you. Both can be benefited greatly from your online activity and social media use. However, you have control over your information. According to Lifehacker, you may adjust your web browser and mobile operating system to preserve your online privacy. Also available are privacy-enhancing settings on popular websites like Facebook. Because businesses need your personal information for marketing purposes, these settings might occasionally be (intentionally) difficult to find. Ensure that you have enabled and continue to enable these privacy protections.

Try setting up Two-Factor Authentication

Enable two-factor authentication to stop hackers from gaining access to your accounts and personal data. Increase your account security by adding this extra layer of protection, even if someone knows your password. You will be given the option to add a form of authentication in addition to the password, such as a code, fingerprint, one-time password (OTP) in your phone number or email, etc. By making it difficult for hackers to access your data by requiring you to input more than two credentials when signing in, this strategy makes your account more secure. This is just another of the most important cyber security precautions you must take.

Secure devices and keep your software up-to-date

Always make it a policy to secure the device you use with a password or a biometric feature like fingerprint, facial recognition, or a passcode. Make sure that you always lock your device when you are not using it and set it to auto lock automatically after a minute of inactivity.

Regularly backup your important data

Always use a password, biometric function, facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or PIN/passcode to safeguard your device (not your date of birth or bank PINs). Make sure you lock your device when not in use or configure it to do so automatically after a certain amount of inactivity. Install software only from reliable sources. Allow automatic updates on your systems and devices; software updates are frequently provided to address security risks and fix defects. Install them as soon as you are informed to do so, and remember to restart your device whenever necessary to make sure the update is implemented. The only option to recover your data if you fall victim to malware or ransomware is to clean your computers and restore them from a recent backup.

Never use public WiFi

Never connect to a public WiFi network without a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The communication between your device and the VPN server is encrypted when VPN software is used. Therefore, it will be considerably more challenging for cybercriminals to access your data on your smartphone. Use your phone network if you don't have a VPN and security is a concern. Avoid using unknown or untrusted portable storage devices, such as USBs Portable storage devices, like USBs, are simple to lose and can be used to introduce malware into UQ systems as well as onto your device. To avoid theft, trusted portable storage devices should be password-protected. And, folks, remember to spread the word – inform family and friends about good cyber security practices!