6 most common cyber security mistakes you should avoid

According to statistics revealed by the eminent AV – TEST Institute, nearly 400,000 pieces of malware are detected every day. These huge numbers of malicious computer programmes give hackers ample opportunity to pick and choose targets. Users – on the other hand- keep repeating the same and common mistakes. As a result they are exploited easily. In the following section of the blog post let us explore few common mistakes that users commit and you can avoid them to stay safe from cybercriminals and cybercrime.

Clicking links from dubious or unknown sources –

clicking a link from an unknown source is one of the commonest mistakes that people make to get entrapped by cybercriminals. When you click unknown links you could be adding some nasty malware to your system. Other than clicking links visiting odd-ball sites, downloading music and apps from lesser known sources and grabbing free photos are few other common techniques of hackers to lure victims into their trap. The malicious malware could get access to your sensitive personal information including credit card numbers and bank details. To stay safe in this alarming circumstance it is your duty to stay alert all the time. Do not click any link that comes from unknown or irrelevant sources. Remember the most secure links usually appear at the top of Google searches. You should also make it a point to always buy software online in the UK from trusted sources that only deal in genuine products, like Softwareland. Saving a few bucks by investing on spurious or pirated software often leads to compromising with your safety and security online.

Avoid using unknown flash drives –

backing up all your important files and folders along with the system is definitely essential. But stay away from inserting anyone else’s USB or flash drive into your system. It is easy to place malware and other malicious programmes in an external drive. And it is possible to infest an entire network of computers with that external drive. So what is the bottom line? Never ever insert anyone else’s external drives into your system. At the same time stay away from  using your external drives in anyone else’s system as well. Scan your system at short and routine intervals to detect viruses and other malicious programmes.

Never download unsolicited antivirus software –

a pop up warning that says your computer is at great risk unless you download a free so and so antivirus immediately. Hackers play with your emotions, they know how to get you to download a file before you realise what you are doing. In this strategy they pretend as if their contaminated code is actually a programme that scans viruses. If you are not aware or alert up to a sufficient level you are likely to click that free download link thinking it will defend you from online threats. However, as it happens in many cases, when you click that malware link it blocks your computer from using authentic protection suites. Thus you become vulnerable to every type of cybercrime that exists. Make sure that your antivirus suite is always up to date with a pop up blocker. This way you can prevent unsafe and unwanted links from making their nasty appearance on your screen

Do not leave your webcam open to make your privacy vulnerable –

webcam hacks are a common approach to breach your privacy. A particular type of malware gives a hacker remote access not only to your computer but also to the webcam. A computer’s camera is usually not protected in the same way as another other device supported by network. But when your camera is on and is probably recording its light stays visible. You have to be careful about this. Just placing a black tape on the camera lens prevents an unauthorised user capture your photos and videos but it does not block audio. Keep the audio of your webcam disabled when you are not using it.

Never use any same password without the two-factor authentication –

do you maintain the same password for your banking, government and e-commerce websites? If the answer is yes then you should know you are making the task of a hacker unbelievably easier. This is called “daisy chaining”. A cybercriminal can easily break into all of your accounts and profiles just by breaking into just one. To cut a long story short, it is important to maintain different passwords for your different profiles and accounts. Change each password with fresh variations every few months or so. Remembering so many passwords is a difficult task but it is unbelievably better to let a hacker gain access to your profiles and accounts.

Never ever log into a public Wi-Fi facility –

never ever use a public Wi-Fi to access your personal information. This category of network systems is usually neither safe nor secure. Rather in many cases these are found to be a way to entrap you. As it has already been mentioned earlier, hacking is all about understanding your emotions to control your certain actions with it. Hackers know people prefer watching a network named Coffeeshop Wi-Fi when they stop by at the neighbourhood café for an energetic beverage. Thus cybercriminals create an alluring access point for every interested soul who is eager to join. The point of access is obviously contaminated with malicious malware. The moment you join the network, a cybercriminal gets access to your personal and sensitive information including passwords. Whenever you have to access the web to pay a bill on check on anything related to your banking and investment just do it from the safety of your home. Do not ever rely on public Wi-Fi under any circumstance.

Do away with weak passwords – when you are using different passwords for your different profiles and accounts make sure all your passwords are strong enough. When you use passwords that are not sufficiently complex you are exposing yourself to the hazard of brute force attack. A hacker can correctly guess your passwords just by using a special software application from remote location. The shorter, simpler and more linear passwords you use those are easier to remember. But those are also easier and faster for hackers to guess correctly.

These are some of the common mistakes that you should avoid at all costs to keep yourself safe from cybercrimes and cybercriminals. In addition to that it is also important to buy software online in the UK all the time. Pirated software is always in risk to contaminate your system with malware as well as other malicious programme codes. Always buy software applications from renowned and reputed vendors.