Published on June 19th, 2020
Ignorance is bliss. This centuries-old saying fits all aspects of our lives. Any danger we don’t know about, we simply ignore, hence why we feel blissful.
However, while bliss is a nice feeling to have, it’s not helpful. It’s important for us to stay aware of what dangers lurk around the corner, else we may find ourselves without bliss and privacy.
This goes for the Internet too. Cybersecurity threats litter the Internet, and it’s easy to find yourself at the mercy of a random virus or cybercriminal. To help you, I’ve put together a list of 5 cybersecurity threats you should be on the lookout for.
5 Digital Security Threats To Watch Out For
Keep in mind one thing: these cybersecurity threats range from user error to unavoidable dangers. With each one mentioned, I’ll give you a piece of advice to help you avoid the associated danger.
1. Phishing Scams
Let’s kick off the list by talking about a scam older than the Internet itself: phishing.
Phishing involves a stranger sending out an email or notification to multiple people, having some of those same people click on the email or notification, and tricking them into entering their personal information.
I know I don’t need to tell you why this is a bad thing. To avoid this, all you need to do is use a bit of common sense when scouring through your emails.
If you see an email from someone you don’t recognize, don’t click on it. And don’t enter your information on any website you don’t know!
2. Viruses
But some threats are more…well-hidden, viruses being among them. We all know the dangers of viruses.
These pieces of harmful software work their way into our devices, corrupting files, preventing our devices from operating correctly, and even locking us out of our own devices! Suffice to say, avoiding viruses should be your number one priority.
Sometimes, common sense isn’t enough to avoid viruses, which is why anti-virus software exists.
These pieces of software (such as Windows Defender) routinely scan your device, making sure there’s no virus present. If there is, the software will notify you and quarantine the virus, keeping it from causing further damage.
3. Weak Network Security
What if you already know about the threat viruses and phishing pose? What if you also like going out in public to work on your laptop?
Then I’d say you have a whole other issue to worry about. See, public networks offer convenience—no passwords, no complicated tech stuff, etc.
However, because they don’t require a password or possess any security barrier, they’re vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Well…you are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
According to ExpressVPN’s what is VPN guide, a Virtual Private Network can be used to encrypt your data and hide your IP address, making sure you appear anonymous to anyone on the same network as you—and yes, that includes public networks.
4. Weak Passwords
Passwords act as the first line of defense for our accounts. If someone were to correctly guess the password of your account, you’d be in trouble, and it’s possible you’d be locked out of your account.
Using strong passwords and refraining from using the same password for every account makes sure you’ll never end up in that situation.
You can even use a password locker, which generates strong passwords and stores all your passwords for you. It makes the process a whole lot easier.
5. Malware
To wrap up this list, I want to talk about malware. Short for “malicious software,” malware is a term used to describe software like ransomware, adware, and other, smaller forms of malicious software.
Like anti-virus software, companies make anti-malware software, which will make sure you’re not at the mercy of malware.
Conclusion
The Internet is littered with danger after danger. Ignorance may be bliss, but it sure isn’t secure, which is why you need to educate yourself on the dangers present on the Internet and make sure you keep yourself secure.
