During the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization has accelerated exponentially. For example, we have begun to use video conferencing 10 times more often. As the use of digital tools grows, the amount of data generated increases as well. The World Bank estimates that in 2022, the annual total Internet traffic will increase by about 50% compared to 2020 levels and reach 4.8 zettabytes. How to visualize this amount of data? Let’s imagine that you store 4.8 zettabytes on DVDs. Their number would be enough to go around the Earth six times.
The pandemic has also shown us how closely all enterprises are interconnected and how the growth of digitalization has brought the world to a new level of cyber threats and attacks. In 2021, we witnessed numerous violations of critical infrastructure and many attacks on supply chains. It became clear how the cybersecurity of one company can have a cascading effect on many others, from direct customers to end consumers. Therefore, many people started to use professional tools like windows live mail converter when working with data.
Cybersecurity Basics for Individual Users
To make sure that your data is reliably secured, follow the below tips:
1. Complex passwords
It is not recommended to store password information on the PC used for working on the Internet. Be sure to use two-step authentication, this will provide increased account protection.
2. Don’t use an obvious password
You cannot use data for the password that criminals can easily find out. Passwords should be complex, contain special characters and numbers. It is forbidden to use the same password for different sites. They should be different and should be changed every few weeks.
3. Checking the privacy policy
Before installing extensions on browsers or applications, and registering in them, the user is obliged to study the privacy policy. You need to make sure that applications or extensions do not have the right to use personal data.
4. Browser settings
The user must not give the browser permission to automatically remember passwords for sites. It is recommended to disable this option in the settings. Browser synchronization on PC and smartphones should be disabled as well.
5. Deleting cookies
Experts recommend regularly cleaning temporary files that contain information about the sites visited by the user. The frequency of cleaning should be several times a week. This minimizes the risk of hacking and access to personal data.
6. Public Wi-Fi networks
It is not recommended to use open public networks, because, via them, you can quickly hack a PC or gadget.
7. Regular antivirus software updates
It is the user’s responsibility to update the antivirus software regularly. It is best to install paid versions of antivirus programs, as they have many modules for protecting information.
The above recommendations are simple, but unfortunately, a few users follow them, which makes it easy for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities, steal confidential information and money. As for the companies, they also need to train their staff so that they can prevent hacking.