The recent series of cyber-attacks - which affected many institutions and sectors around the world - shed light on the fragility and weakness of the cyber security system in various countries and institutions, and indicates the importance of addressing this fragility as soon as possible, and the need to invest in this vital sector of humanity, as cyber attacks have increased - carried out by specialized hacking gangs - this year (2021) by 30% compared to last year, and there is a cyber attack every 11 seconds that occurs somewhere in the world. Information security experts expect that the resulting losses will reach 6 trillion dollars by the end of this year, as reported by Tech Newsworld.
A world war that saves no one
“Cyber ​​security will be one of the biggest problems the world faces,” says Michael Orlando National, the acting director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in America, which is the major war that we must confront without delay, noting that the United States “loses between 225 to 600 billion dollars annually in the field of intellectual property only due to hacker attacks,” according to his statements, which were recently reported by the CNBC platform.
Cyber ​​Security Ventures estimates that cybercrime globally will cost $10.5 trillion by 2025, which underscores the importance of enhancing digital security, whether at the level of governments, private companies and individuals.
Governments and major companies have begun great efforts to develop an integrated system for protection, but what is our role - as individuals and ordinary users - in this global battle?
We certainly have a big role, and this was discussed by Danny Behar, CEO of Web Safe 101 and a specialist in cybersecurity, in an article published by Forbes recently. The writer stresses that cybercrime is not limited to governments and large companies; Rather, it extends to all members of society, and the duty to confront these crimes falls on everyone.
In this context, the writer points out, “The importance of providing protection for everyone’s computer, and everyone in this world should worry about their personal data being hacked, and it doesn’t matter what type of computer it is, as long as you have data, it is at risk, and for this reason, ensuring security on devices is Personality and work equipment are essential." The digital security expert provides a set of guidelines that everyone should follow to stay protected.
Constantly updating systems and software والبرامج
Many people consider that updating the systems and programs they use is annoying and unimportant, however, these updates are the best defense against cyber attacks, as updates address weaknesses in these programs, and protect your device from hackers. To keep your software up to date, turn on the Automatic Updates option to install them as soon as they become available
fire wall
A firewall or firewall is a security system that closes computer ports by acting as a barrier between your device and the Internet. Firewalls are especially useful; Because it filters out viruses, malware and other threats that you may encounter on a daily basis while surfing the net.
Most operating systems come with a built-in firewall; You can find it by accessing the Security section of the Control Panel. And if you want additional protection, you can also choose to install additional firewalls. In either case, make sure your device´s firewall is enabled and kept up to date.
Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
A VPN encrypts your connection and hides your IP address so that your ISP or anyone else can monitor your network activity.
Using Public Wi-Fi is one of the biggest mistakes people make, and this may seem convenient to many people, but it is the most dangerous act you can commit; It can put all your data at risk. The use of a VPN greatly reduces these risks, so do not use public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN; in order to protect you.
Antivirus software
Internet connection comes with inherent weaknesses in the face of cyber attacks and viruses, and the most important way to combat this is by installing antivirus and malware programs, and there are many of them available for free online, however, you should pay attention to the need to install only one antivirus program on your device every time, and you should only download them from trustworthy sources.
passwords
Many people use the same password on the various websites they interact with, which may be convenient, but it exposes you to significant security risks such as theft of your digital identity. Ideally, you should use a unique password for each of the sites you interact with and change it every three months to ensure maximum security.
However it can be difficult for you to remember different passwords, this is where password managers come in who can help you keep track of different passwords and can also help create strong passwords, which can then be entered automatically.
Two-factor authentication 2FA is another useful security method that users should take advantage of. This way, hackers can´t access your accounts even if they get your password; With two-factor authentication, additional verification information will be requested such as a PIN code sent to your email or mobile phone.
personal behaviors
Accessing your computer remotely isn´t the only way hackers can get hold of your data, how you act matters too, and perhaps the most important factor in keeping your computer safe is never leaving it unattended in a public place. It should be locked when not in use, even if you are only going to be away from it for 5 minutes. Never leave your device unlocked.
Beware of links
Phishing scams - especially sextortion scams - are becoming increasingly common and can pose a major security threat. To avoid falling victim to these scams, do not open unfamiliar links or files, be wary of strange emails, and always hover over links before clicking on them.
Backups
If the worst happens and you become a victim of hackers and your data is hacked or stolen; It is essential to have backups so that you can restore your data as quickly as possible, frequent backups are the solution, and it is preferable to use both cloud storage and physical storage to ensure the security of your data.
Following these guidelines can help you increase your security level, but they are not comprehensive solutions that completely eliminate the threat of data breaches and cyber attacks.
When it comes to the security of your computer, always be careful.
