We talk a lot about IT security and data protection on Navigaweb, the problem is that those who need to be informed the most ignore this kind of articles. Talking about security can be boring, but it is essential to know at least the basics to keep a PC away from viruses, to protect personal data and accounts of the most important sites, not to risk falling into traps that could compromise our security even in the real world.
In this article, trying to be as concise and simple as possible, we see here the 10 basic tips to use every technology safely, which should be considered and adopted every time an internet connection is used with the computer, smartphone, tablet, TV, router, webcam or any other electronic device.
1) Beware of social engineering attacks
The biggest security problem when connected to the internet and keeping communication channels like Facebook, Whatsapp or Email open, are not viruses, but deceptions, otherwise called social engineering attacks.
The most classic of these is that of Phishing, where the hacker, in order to steal access data or passwords, sends a message to the victim asking him, with a trick, to connect to a site and enter a personal password.
The site, perhaps identical to that of the online bank or Facebook, is actually a web page made by the same hacker so the password would be received without difficulty.
It is therefore necessary to suspect all links, e-mails, phone calls and other communications that require personal data and also not to disclose passwords for accessing online services to friends or relatives.
2) Lock each device with a password or code
If you have a computer you don't need to enter a password to access, that is not your computer, because everyone can use it without problems.
Nor is it necessary that these all have the opportunity to get their hands on it, considering that a computer connected to the internet can also be accessible from the network.
Protecting your PC with a password is therefore essential, whatever it is.
Even more important is this advice for mobile phones, which must always be locked with a password or access code, above all to prevent problems in the event of theft or loss.
3) Use strong passwords on website accounts
Both passwords and access codes must be strong, that is, they must not be tied to important dates, names of people or things.
I talked about this in the guide on how to choose secure passwords that are impossible to discover.
Whenever possible, also use two-factor authentication to log in to sites like Facebook, Google, Microsoft and others.
4) Use a Password Manager
Password managers are really important programs because they allow you to keep all website passwords memorized so that they are all different and impossible to remember and discover.
To use them, you just need to remember the unique master password, which will be the one to access all the others.
We have seen, in another article, which are the best password managers.
NOTE: I personally do not use any password manager but only the Google Chrome password manager.
This manager can be effective only if a password has been set to access the PCs used and if the smartphone is kept protected (READ ALSO: Securing the data of an Android mobile phone in 10 ways).
Obviously the Google account is protected by double password verification and with all the tools available (do the Google account security check)
5) Make automatic backups of computer data
Important documents, photos and information that you would not want to lose can be stored on each PC.
To avoid problems in the event of damage, unexpected events or viruses that may compromise access to this data, it is always necessary to keep a backup copy.
Speaking of a PC, in another article we saw all the backup and recovery tools included in Windows.
6) Install an antivirus and an antimalware program
Viruses and malware are always a threat so you must always use an antivirus program.
As seen, there are several excellent free antivirus to choose from such as, for example, Avira for Windows, Sophos AntiVirus for PC or Mac or Bitdefender Free that I am currently using.
In addition to antivirus, it is also important to keep an antimalware scan program such as Malwarebytes installed, to check every month for possible infections that have escaped the antivirus.
7) Block access to wireless router and wifi network
The router is the first line of defense for the home LAN.
Since routers are sold without access protection, it is important, among the first things to do on a new router, to change the login password for the router administrator and to change the name and password to access the wifi network.
8) Never send sensitive information by e-mail unless it is sent with an encrypted connection
Sensitive information such as financial data, tax returns or confidential business information should never be sent via email without encryption.
We have seen, in other articles, how Gmail is made secure by Google and how to encrypt end-to-end emails.
9) Do not write passwords or private information if connected to a public Wifi
Public Wi-Fi is convenient for connecting to the internet from anywhere for free, but they are also a danger to the confidentiality of the connection.
In fact, it may be that the public network to which we are connected is monitored by someone capable of capturing all the information we send.
To avoid problems, when surfing the internet from a public wifi connection, you must check that the sites where you write information are protected with a secure https connection and, above all, do not write access passwords.
If you really need to do this, use a VPN that makes the connection private.
We talked about this in the guide for safe surfing on public wifi network, free or unsecured
10) Always update software, systems and programs of devices connected to the internet, mainly routers, computers and mobile phones.
The updates, for the most part, are in fact patches to correct security problems that can facilitate intrusions and malware infections.
The one to always update programs and the operating system is certainly among the basic rules for computer security .
READ ALSO: Check if your PC is safe and protected from viruses and on the internet
