3 tips on how entrepreneurs can stay safe online
Police statistics show that over £190,000 is lost every day in the UK by victims of cyber-crime, and over one-third of the victims are hacked via email accounts and social media, according to BBC.
The internet has transformed how we study, buy products, form relationships, and run businesses. While staying connected online is a positive thing; it also increases the risk of cyber crime. Finding ways to stay safe online is big for your business.
There are many ways in which crime happens online, including fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. That is why you need to be cautious not to fall victim to a cyberattack, whether you are spending time on the internet working, studying, or interacting with new friends. Here are some tips to help you stay safe online.
Set strong security passwords
When you fail to set a secure password for social media, banking, and shopping accounts, you leave room for hackers to steal your information. To enhance your safety online, consider creating strong security passwords using a mix of numbers, symbols, and letters. Make sure your passwords across all platforms are at least eight characters long and complicated.
Also, enable the two-step authentication factor and avoid using one password on multiple sites. If you find it difficult to remember your passwords, use a password manager to store your login details safely.
Don’t share personal details online
Talking about personal and financial details might sound like an excellent idea when approaching someone you like online. However, this trick could lead to a cyber attack. Hackers use fake social media profiles and prey on people’s emotions. They may even try to convince you to send money or share your bank account details by sharing a sob story. One of the best ways to keep scammers at bay is not being too open about your bank details, address, and credit card numbers.
Avoid interacting with phishing or scam emails
Most scam or phishing emails have attachments or links with generic texts. For instance, you may receive a social media post or email with a message like, “This looks funny.” Such emails often trick internet users into sharing passwords, usernames, and financial information. It is advisable not to open them even if you know the sender.
Staying safe online is essential if you want to benefit from the numerous opportunities available. Therefore, it is important to set strong passwords, not share personal information, and avoid emails sent by scammers. Also, download software from trusted sites and keep your devices’ security settings up to date.
