The more people use technology in their everyday lives, the more at risk they become to privacy violations.
To protect themselves, consumers need to secure the information they plug into the Internet and their devices. Outlined below are three security threats and ways to prevent an attack in your own home.
Cyber Crime
As technology in the digital age increasingly grows, so do the capabilities of cyber hackers. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to slip into people’s technology systems and steal valuable information. Attacks can be directly targeted to an individual or based upon a system’s vulnerability. When using the Internet, keep a few things in mind:
- Do not visit untrusted websites or utilize untrusted sources.
- Do not open or respond to unsolicited emails.
- Beware of emails that require any type of verification from unknown senders.
- Encrypt your wireless router in your home using WPA2.
- Password-protect your home wireless internet connection.
- Install anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software on your devices.
Mobile Devices
Hackers are known to target the information stored within mobile devices. Many popular apps feature an auto-login, potentially giving anyone access to your home security system, bank accounts, medical records and other assets just by obtaining your phone.
Before storing sensitive information, assure these security precautions are in order:
- Lock your device when you are not using it. Never leave your phone unattended without a password or passcode.
- Create strong, unique passwords for each application. Passwords should be at least eight characters long and difficult to guess.
- Disable auto-login features.
Social Media
While social media has its benefits, many people often forget how public these accounts can be. Hackers are now able to collect personal data from users’ accounts to help target their victims before the attack. With the click of a button, they can easily access where you live, your contact information, where you like to spend your time, etc. Stay safe with these tips:
- Do not include specific contact information on social profiles.
- Avoid posting when you are leaving town or your home for a long period of time.
- Only accept or follow people that you personally know.
- Set social accounts to private.
Keeping your home and personal information safe from hackers is essential to living in a technology-based world. Although security breaches are often hard to detect beforehand, you can help prevent them by taking necessary precautions.
