With all the high-profile security breaches making the news and so many companies falling victim, it has never been more important to take a proactive approach to your identity and your data. Whether you are shopping online, connecting to your bank account or just surfing the web, taking the right steps now could save you a lot of time, hassle and money later.
There are a number of common mistakes computer users make when they go online. From choosing the wrong usernames and passwords to saving credit card information at their favorite shopping sites, these mistakes can have long-lasting consequences. If you are guilty of any of the following, you need to change your online ways before it is too late.
Using a weak password – Using a simple password could put your data and your identity at risk. A good password contains a number of different elements, including upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. If your passwords do not meet that criteria, you have some work to do.
Related:How to Set a Secure Password?
Using the same password across multiple sites — If you use the same password everywhere, a single security breach could compromise your information all over the web.
Making your email address your username — Email addresses are easy to steal, even for the most unsophisticated hacker. Using your email address as your username can be very dangerous.
Using your name in your username — Using your name could be just as dangerous as disclosing your email address. Avoid usernames that include part or all of your real name; that information is just too easy to find.
Doing sensitive work while on a public Wi-Fi network — Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, but they are inherently insecure. Sending sensitive data over a public Wi-Fi network is just asking for trouble.
Storing your credit card information on websites — Saving your credit card information is certainly convenient, especially when shopping at your favorite website. Even so, you should resist the temptation, since a data breach could leave your credit card information exposed.
Accidentally revealing your security questions – Security questions are designed to provide an extra layer of safety, but it is easy to disclose them accidentally. If your security question is the name of your high school mascot, listing your high school on Facebook could put your data at risk.
Staying safe online is not easy, but there are things you can do to keep yourself and your private data secure. These tips will help you secure your computer and surf safely.