The importance of Safer Internet Day has not changed
While the benefits of the Internet are numerous and widespread, we must all take precautions to protect ourselves and our valuable personal information while using it. The Internet has become a ubiquitous part of daily life.
Without the proper safety precautions to make sure you’re safe while using the Internet, you should n’t drive your car down a freeway without your seatbelt on.
Strong passwords are crucial to prevent credential theft, which is used to access corporate networks, escalate privileges to steal data, and eventually launch attacks like ransomware.
Safer Internet Day is on February 6 and serves as a timely reminder of how to protect yourself online. According to Christopher Budd, director of threat research at Sophos X-Ops:
Passwords are still crucial even though we all despise them and realize how annoying they are. Major corporations are still being compromised today as a result of poor password management practices by the companies or their employees.
One of the best ways to maintain your security is still to use different passwords for each website ( or at least each significant website ). A multifactor authentication app is essential for securing important accounts and information, in addition to using unique passwords.
Sophos X-Ops discovered that compromised credentials were the most frequent root cause of attacks in the first half of 2023, demonstrating the significance of strong passwords. In more than half ( 56 % of the attacks remediated ), cybercriminals used stolen log-in information to access a company’s network, an increase of 26 % from 2022.
Budd emphasizes the importance of keeping in mind the strength of “no.”
Avoiding disclosure of your data and information in the first place is the best way to protect it. A website does n’t necessarily need or have a right to your birthday just because they ask you for it. Simply put, a website or servicecannot lose, accidentally disclose, or have your information stolen from them if it does n’t have it.
It will be much easier for you to stay safer online if you adhere to these two fundamental cyber hygiene principles: strong passwords and not disclosing data in the first place.
The following advice will help you stay even safer online:
- When clicking on links, exercise caution.
- Update every device, app, and application.
- Purchase quality security software.
- Consider all unsolicited communications—texts, phone calls, and emails—suspicious.
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