Home

Category: Cyber Security

  • Best VPN for iPhone

    Best VPN for iPhone

    While it might sound weird that you’d want a VPN for a phone, it’s not a bad idea to have one. While iOS is great at protecting user security, it’s not able to help you when you’re surfing the web. The real reason you’ll want one of these is if you use public Wi-Fi often. Public networks are often unsecure, and any data sent to and from your phone while on them could be intercepted by hackers. If you want to keep your encrypted info safe from prying eyes, try these VPNs! They offer great protection for your mobile browsing.  

    Golden Frog VyprVPN 

    Golden Frog is a clean, well laid-out VPN with a lot to offer. While it doesn’t offer as many licenses per subscription as some of the competition, it’s a solid pick. It’s ten dollars to start and five bucks a month. Sadly, it doesn’t offer any ad-blocking. What it does offer, though, is a free trial and a ton of servers. Your server speeds on this one will be blisteringly fast! If speed is your bag, try Golden Frog. 

    Cyber Ghost VPN 

    Offering seven licenses per $2.75 a month subscription, Cyber Ghost is a good choice. The interface is unique and weird in a good way. Privacy is a major concern of this one, and it does a good job logging very little user data. You can’t location spoof while streaming, though, so if you’re trying to appear as though you’re somewhere else, this isn’t the right VPN. That said, this is still a fine VPN, and it costs $12 to get started. The $2.75 per month deal is limited time, though, so check it out soon! 

    Nord VPN for iPhone 

    If you’ve ever looked into VPNs, you’ve definitely seen the name Nord. They’re well-renowned for a reason, and it’s because they’re good. Their VPN for iPhone offers a ton of servers and great features. Just like Cyber Ghost, it’s $12 to get started and $2.75 per month. Also, like Cyber Ghost, that’s a limited time price. That said, if you’re looking for a strong iPhone VPN, this is a great pick. Offering six simultaneous connections and blocking ads is a pretty mean feat on an iPhone. The app and layout are both friendly and welcoming, too! Great for first-time VPN users. 

    Our Favorite VPN for iPhone: KeepSolid VPN Unlimited 

    Starting a $8.99 per month, this is a fantastic VPN for the money. It supports Open VPN and sports great speeds. KeepSolid boasts servers specifically tooled for streaming, which is awesome. It also offers a personal VPN server for users! That said, it has no free trial, which is a bummer. Compared to Nord it has a small number of servers, too. That said, the interface is excellent, and the user experience is top-notch. If you’re looking for a fantastic VPN for iPhone, this is the one for you! 


  • VPNs: What They are, and Why You Need One

    VPNs: What They are, and Why You Need One

    You might have heard a bit about VPNs on the internet or around the office, but you’re not sure what they are or whether you need one. Today we’ll be taking a more in-depth look at VPNs, what they do, and whether getting one is right for you.

    Do You Need a VPN?

    What’s a VPN?

    Let’s start by defining some terms. Firstly, we need to explain what a VPN even is! “VPN” stands for “virtual private network”. Essentially, these private networks allow you to securely connect with another network over the internet. VPNs keep your data private from any software that would spy on you, and they offer incredibly secure connections to other servers on the internet.

    Originally, VPNs were created for business employees to work remotely, connecting to the secure business network from their home office. However, their popularity in recent years has little to do with corporate espionage or remote work, though they are still used for this. No, the modern applications of VPNs are much more varied, though they share a common thread: secure connections.

    Modern VPNs

    Today, VPNs are popular among internet users because they allow them to privately browse the internet without drawing attention from advertisers or the site’s own regional locks. VPNs forward all of your internet activity to a remote network, essentially “outsourcing” your internet access and then feeding it back to your home computer.

    One of the most common uses for today’s VPNs include sidestepping region restrictions by “geospoofing,” or fooling a website into thinking you’re accessing it from a different location than your current one. This has a multitude of uses, from watching videos on streaming services that your region can’t see to avoiding government-mandated internet censorship.

    The Benefits

    The benefits of VPN usage are mainly connected to the fact that you’re essentially browsing the internet through a remote server. This allows you to appear as though you’re not located where you’re accessing the internet from. This, in turn, offers you a bit of anonymity on the internet, so you can safely use unsecured WiFi networks, avoid internet censors and even avoid detection for some of your activities.

    VPNs are quite popular among torrent users for this very reason. In many countries, it’s illegal to share files of music or movies, so torrent sites and the people who frequent them often use geospoofing to avoid the law enforcement of their localities. Of course, we can’t condone this usage, as intellectual property rights are an important cornerstone of the exchange of information.

    How to Get One

    Now for the fun part: actually getting a VPN. It’s not as simple as Googling “VPN” and just flipping a switch, you have to find a VPN service you’d like to use, or perhaps use one a friend has set up. Some services are free and offer only the very basics of a virtual network. Other services, like Nord VPN and Tunnelbear, have paid tiers that give you access to more features and a more robust geospoofing selection.

    In short, if you want to use a VPN to simply encrypt your browsing and watch some videos that aren’t available in your country normally, a free VPN will be fine for you. Otherwise, if you’re a power user with more varied needs, you might need to opt to pay for a more robust VPN service. Another option is to set up your own VPN, though most people don’t have the resources to set up servers in various countries and then encrypt traffic to them from their home computer. In either case, just make sure that whatever you do isn’t illegal, as cybercrimes can still carry stiff penalties depending on where you live, and VPNs won’t protect you from law enforcement.


  • The Tools You Need to Protect Yourself from Cyber Criminals

    The Tools You Need to Protect Yourself from Cyber Criminals

    Cyber crime is a major problem in our internet-based world. More than 90% of all transactions now occur digitally, and all of your data is stored on some database somewhere. Your most sensitive information is on the internet and it may even be unsecured as you’re reading this. There are over 4,000 cyber crimes committed every single day, and any of them could be attempts to get to your data. New crimes require new methods of protecting yourself. Here are some of the tools you need to protect yourself from cyber criminals.

    Tools to Protect Yourself from Cyber Criminals

    Why Now?

    You might be asking why this is suddenly such a huge concern. The internet has been a major part of our lives for more than 20 years now. Haven’t these cyber criminals all been stopped by now? Well, unfortunately, cyber crime isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, it’s on the rise now more than ever. In 2017 alone there were 27% more online crimes committed than in 2016. As the world becomes more connected, your data is more vulnerable than ever.

    Going online without the tools you need to protect yourself from online criminals is like walking through a dark alley alone at night while wearing a nice watch. Do you deserve to be mugged for that? No, absolutely not. Should you expect to be? Sadly, that’s the world we live in. If you go online and start making purchases or paying bills without any protection, it’s a matter of when your data gets stolen, not if. Unfortunately this is just the way cyber criminals operate. There’s a way to keep yourself safe, though, and that’s through information security technology.

    Information Security

    Information security technology is offered by sites like Lifelock, Norton, McAfee and the like. These security suites, as they are called, are typically paid services that allow you to browse without worrying about your data. They offer you peace of mind by giving you a number of services that keep your data private and make it much harder to steal.

    The ways they do this vary from suite to suite and can change based on the level of security you’re after. One of the main ways these security suites can keep you safe is through encryption. Data encryption is a process by which data is translated into incomprehensible gibberish that can only be deciphered by possessing the encryption key. This is a lot like old-school spy codes that replace letters with other letter and can be decoded with the right key.

    Encryption might not be foolproof, but it makes your data that much harder to steal. Generally, cyber criminals can’t be bothered to go to the work of decrypting a complex cypher, so they’ll sooner avoid your data altogether.

    Other Security Measures

    That’s not the only security you need to keep in mind online, though. Most security suites also include firewalls or virus protection. These are computer scripts or programs that intercept fishy lines of code that might be viruses. Many viruses exist solely to cause problems on your computer by replicating themselves and slowing your system down. More malicious viruses, however, may include commands that involve copying your keystrokes and sending your passwords to criminals.

    Another way to avoid keystroke-logging viruses would be through using a password manager. Password managers are another great aspect of cyber security you can use to keep your information safe online! They are typically paid services, some of which are included with security suites, that keep track of your passwords across different sites. Generally these services encrypt your password and help keep your information safe from outside parties by making your passwords complex strings of letters and numbers.

    Virtual Private Networks

    Another favorite tool to stymie online criminals is through use of a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, like Nord. VPNs allow you to use private servers to connect to the internet, which helps you to steer clear of seedier elements online. VPNs often can boost your internet speeds, as well, allowing you to connect more quickly and avoid data throttling and slowdown.

    Another widely-used but often maligned use of VPNs is “geo-spoofing,” a process through which a user tricks a site into thinking they are physically somewhere else. This is often used to sidestep regional blackouts on media. While many sites don’t appreciate this use of VPNs, it’s one of the most common reasons people use them. Most VPNs require a monthly fee to access, though there are some free ones out there, too.


  • Best Kids Internet Monitoring Programs

    Best Kids Internet Monitoring Programs

    It can be hard to parent effectively in the age of information. The internet is a big, unregulated place full of things kids probably shouldn’t see. While the simplest solution is to simply keep young children away from the internet, that’s an unlikely solution. That’s where these internet monitoring programs come in!

    Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    Net Nanny Review

    This service is so well-known that its name is almost synonymous with internet monitoring programs in general. This service costs $40 a month, which makes it a bit on the pricier side. However, it works across multiple platforms and offers control directly from an app. If you have Android, that is! Sorry, iPhone users.

    Net Nanny allows you to choose from a variety of filters to stop access to tons of different types of content. Most monitoring services prevent access to nudity or violence, of course. Net Nanny lets you increase the granularity of what is filtered, however. This allows you to rest easy knowing your children’s particular fears or phobias are being filtered out.

    Symantec Norton Family Premier Review

    Norton, well-known for their antivirus software, also has a well-regarding internet monitoring service. This service is highly recommended, due to its high-quality web interface and strong filtering tools. You can monitor and filter access from all devices that are connected to a network. This allows you to keep your children safe no matter what device they’re using.

    The only downside to Norton’s service is that it isn’t available on Mac. If your household doesn’t own a Mac, however, you have nothing to worry about. Another notable shortcoming is a lack of strong social media controls, but you can always just ban social media sites outright to avoid the problem. What 8-year-old needs Facebook, anyway?

    Qustodio

    A well-made and easy-to-use tracker, Qustodio works across Macs, Windows and mobile devices. It allows for strong filtering and monitoring tools, as well. It has a somewhat outdated web interface, but that’s outweighed by the strength of its monitoring and filtering. If your house has a wide variety of devices, from iOS to Android to Macs and PCs, this is the best monitoring program for you.

    The only notable downside to Qustodio is its relatively high price. The service runs $50, which is a touch expensive. However, it’s well-worth the robust monitoring and peace of mind it offers.


  • Protect Your Identity Online With These Tools

    Protect Your Identity Online With These Tools

    Whether it’s another big data breach or someone trying to steal your passwords, there’s always something to watch out for online. However, there are a number of tools you can use to protect your identity and browse without worrying. Today we’re taking a closer look into some of these tools to help you understand what you need to surf the web worry-free.

    Protect Your Identity Online

    VPN

    A VPN, or a virtual private network, is a fancy-sounding name for a relatively simple service. Originally created to allow people to access their work intranet while working from home, a VPN allows you to “tunnel” your internet traffic to an external server. Essentially, a VPN hides who you are when you’re browsing online by making it look like traffic from your computer is coming from somewhere else. By tunneling your traffic to another server, your traffic can appear to be coming from a distant country, and your identity is hidden from websites you visit.

    This offers you some unique benefits. For instance, it allows you to access websites that might be blacked out in your area. You can sidestep local blackouts on sites like Netflix, on regional sports teams you want to watch and even on banned content in your area. While doing this is technically against the user agreement of the sites in question, the ethics of doing so are left for you to decide for yourself. In either case, a VPN is a great way to hide your identity online and protect your activity from prying eyes.

    Password Manager

    Everyone knows the first rule of making passwords for your online accounts is that you need to make each site have a different password. If you’ve got tons of logins for various websites, such as online banking, paying bills and social media, it can be hard to keep track of all your passwords, though. That’s where cloud password managers come in. These convenient and time-saving services are also incredibly good at securing your online information.

    A password manager service allows you to hide all of your passwords on a remote server that you access with one master password. This allows you to keep track of all of your passwords easily, while also hiding them from potential keystroke-monitoring programs or simply people watching your fingers while you input them. While it might sound risky to keep all of your platforms saved on one server, it’s actually much safer to keep them encrypted in this way than to store them in a text file on your computer, or on a physical piece of media that can be stolen.

    Careful Browsing

    Scammers and phishers are everywhere online. The illusion of anonymity emboldens con men and grifters to try to steal your information, your credit and your money. As such, you need to be careful when you’re browsing online. Even a strong VPN and encrypted passwords can’t keep your identity safe if you fall for a phishing scam. Make sure you’re vigilant about the sites you visit, and never input your personal information into a site you don’t trust.

    If you get an email or see an offer online that’s too good to be true, it is. Never give someone your password, you Social Security number or your credit card information online. The only exceptions to this are verified government websites, sites you pay your bills through and known online sellers like Amazon or eBay. A fishy site with a strange domain name and broken English in all of the item descriptions is probably not the site you should be shopping on. Remember: if it looks suspect online, don’t input any personal information.


  • 3 Crazy New Credit Scams, Don’t Be A Victim!

    3 Crazy New Credit Scams, Don’t Be A Victim!

    Let’s face facts – if you don’t take credit fraud seriously, scammers will, and at your expense, search for credit fraud alerts. At a time when more and more people are turning their backs on cash in favor of credit and debit cards, the risk of credit fraud is higher than ever. Yet Americans don’t seem to be doing enough to protect themselves against credit scams.

    In this new generation, you might have had to be convinced by your kids or grandkids at some point that using your credit card online is safe. “It doesn’t feel safe,” you may say, but they tell you that’s the way everyone shops all the time, and their credit card information is totally safe.

    But they’re wrong. Credit card numbers do get stolen, and credit fraud does happen, both online and offline. In fact, security experts say virtually everyone has been the victim of at least one data breach at this point.

    New survey data from AARP show that Americans are unnecessarily putting themselves at greater risk by failing to adopt smart digital safety practices. In fact, 47% of U.S. adults have reported being victimized by a fraudulent purchase using their credit or debit card.

    Here is a look at 4 of the most convincing scams that you will want to be on the lookout for:

    1. The Jury Duty Credit Card Scam

    In this scam, the con artist calls the victim claiming to be a representative from the local court in their area. They tell the victim that because they failed to show up for a scheduled jury duty an arrest warrant has been issued in their name. The victim replies by saying that they never received a jury duty notice.

    The scammer then says that, in order to clear up the matter, they need to verify some information. The scammer will go on to ask for personal information including the victim’s address, social security number, birth date, and credit card numbers. The unknowing victim, who is frazzled and worried about the arrest warrant, complies and gives the caller the information, becoming subject to identity theft and credit card fraud.

    2. “Skimming” Your Card

    Skimming machines, known as “skimmers” have become high-tech these days. Recently, skimmers have been found in gas pumps and ATMs across the country. With these skimmers, credit card data is collected and transferred via Bluetooth to the scammers who can then replicate the cards and go on a shopping spree. Other traditional, less technological skimming tricks include restaurant waitstaff and retail employees skimming your credit card and then using it to make small purchases that are very often missed by the victim.

    The bottom line is that you should always look your bill over carefully each month and report discrepancies immediately to your credit card company. If reported in time, you will never be liable for fraudulent purchases.

    3. Scam Phone Call Claiming to Reduce Your Credit Card Debt

    In this marketing scam, the victim receives a phone call from someone who claims that he is a representative of their credit card company and can get them significantly reduced interest rates and debt payments. The catch? The victim needs to provide their credit card information to confirm their identity.

    Recently, these types of marketing cons came under the scrutiny of the FTC, and it is now illegal to demand upfront fees for debt settlement services. In addition, debt reduction companies are now required to maintain a dedicated account, entirely owned by the client, for use in paying creditors. However, not everyone knows this and therefore is still a potential victim to this sneaky scheme.

    Make sure to monitor your credit card statements, bank statements, and credit reports on a regular basis. The earlier you catch a potentially fraudulent transaction, the better the chances that you’ll be able to prevent further trouble!


  • Don’t get Hacked! Use a Password Manager

    Don’t get Hacked! Use a Password Manager

    Your password is one of your strongest tools to protect your accounts and all your personal data. But too many people do not pick out good passwords and then their information is vulnerable. To protect yourself against hackers and keep your online data and identity safe, you need to know all the rules about passwords.

    The Importance of Your Password

    The first thing we need to look at here is the importance of the password. The password is considered one of the most important things for any system that you would like to use. It is a great way to maintain your own identity online so that no one else is able to view the account at all. If you don’t have a good strong password, it is more likely that someone will guess it and take over the account. A password can be almost anything that you would like. Some organizations may set up certain safety parameters to make sure your password is safe, such as requiring one uppercase and one lowercase letter or some numbers or special symbols. Other websites give you more freedom. No matter the policy in place with that website, picking a strong password is a must. The stronger your password, the harder it is for someone to guess what the password is. Many hackers will try to steal your password with a password cracker, and one method is to just try out all of the most common password types. If your password is on the list, they have a better chance to get onto some of your important accounts.

    Ways Hackers Can Get Your Password

    Hackers are really good at discovering passwords, especially if you use a really simple password. They are able to try a few different methods to get ahold of your password and use it for their needs. Some of the most common ways a hacker can get your password include:

    Password Recycling

    Many times a hacker can harvest a list of passwords from a data breach. Passwords and credentials from data breaches are often bought and sold illegally. These passwords can be leaked and other hackers will decide to use them the way that they would like. Using the same email and password for multiple accounts can mean if one account is compromised in a data breach, your other accounts will also be at risk. The hacker is able to use that same password to access all of the sites that they want under your name. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that all of the passwords across your accounts are different and use a password management tool to help.

    Wi-Fi Sniffing

    This method allows a hacker to get onto your Wi-Fi and access all of the data that goes between you and other systems. This one takes some time because they need to get onto the Wi-Fi and then take the time to figure out where the passwords are located. But once they do, they can get all of the information they want. A good way to prevent against this is to make sure your Wi-Fi is strong and has a good protocol behind it, encrypt everything that is sent between you and another person, and do not use common passwords like your phone number or street address as your Wi-Fi password.

    Security Questions

    If you happen to forget a password on one of your accounts,  you will need to answer a few security questions before you have a chance to reset the password. Security questions may seem like a good idea, but they are usually weak and if the hacker has gotten ahold of your email or other passwords, they can probably figure it out. A good idea is to answer security questions differently for different accounts.

    Dictionary Attacks

    This is known as a type of brute force attack. While some sites will disable the account after three failed attempts, the dictionary attack can still be effective on websites that do not require this. To work with a dictionary attack, the hacker will need to run a script of their own that is able to try out all the words in the dictionary. To make this option harder to accomplish, make sure there is a minimum of one capital letter in the password.

    Why You Should Have Different Passwords for Each Website You Visit

    It is important that you have a different password for all of the websites that you decide to visit. This will help you keep your information safe. If there is a data breach or the hacker is able to gain access to your password on one site, they will try to use that same password on other sites as well. If you used the same password on all of them, then the hacker has access to all of your accounts. However, if you have different passwords on each account, this task becomes harder. Many people worry about remembering all those passwords, especially if they have a lot of them to keep in mind all the time. This is why you should choose a password manager. It can hold onto your passwords safely and make sure that you can get onto each website while the hacker can’t.

    Why Should I Have a Long Password?

    The longer you can make your password, the better. This makes it even harder for a hacker to get onto your system and gain the information that they need. Shorter passwords are not as tough to work with and can make it easier for the hacker to do any of the tasks that we talked about above. The longer, and more complicated, the password, the better for everyone. If you can, try to make the password into a bunch of letters and numbers mixed together. It shouldn’t even make sense or be readable. This makes it much harder on a hacker. Your password manager can handle the work for you by making sure you can remember those passwords later on.

    The Requirements of a Good Password

    We have spent some time talking about passwords and learning how important they are for protecting your information. Now we need to look at some of the recommendations that you need to remember in order to write out a good password and keep your data and personal information safe.

    If you are using a website that has specific instructions and requirements of their own for creating a password, then make sure to follow those instead. This will make it easier to keep it safe and are often really safe on their own. Some of the requirements you should consider when it comes to picking out a good password includes: It is 12 characters long at least: You should pick out a password that is longer than normal. There is not a minimum password length that each person will agree on, but picking one that is at least 12 characters long will make a big difference. If you can make one that is longer, you are doing even better. You also want to include a good deal of variety in the password. You should include capital letters, lowercase letters, symbols,  and numbers to make sure that the password is as strong as possible.  Don’t use words from the dictionary. Stay away from some of the more common dictionary words or even combinations of dictionary words. This will make it easier for the hacker to do a dictionary attack on you. Do not use substitutions that are obvious. As an example, substituting zero for ‘o’ or 3 for ‘e’ is not good practice. “H0us3” vs. “house” is just too easy to guess.

    What Should I Do If I Think Someone Has My Password?

    So your password was stolen and now someone else has been able to get onto your account. This can be a big hassle and lead to loss of data, money or worse. Sometimes even the good passwords can be taken if there is a big data breach. Knowing how to handle this situation can help you protect your own data safe. The first step to take is change up your passwords right away. Sign up for some text alerts for your accounts and if something does show up on your account, you will get a notification about this. If you were the one who did make that purchase, then you won’t have to do anything, but if it was a hacker, then you will need to make some changes and changing your password is the first step. If there are any other accounts that have the same password, then you need to change those as well. This leaves a little more protection on your accounts so you know everything will stay safe. If you suspect that someone has gotten your password, there are a few resources you can check out to help see whether your account information is readily available online.

    These include:

    1. haveibeenpwned.com: This website holds onto a database of password and username combinations found after a public leak.
    2. LastPass: This website will take a look at all the email addresses in your database and then will check those against a database to see if your information has been leaked.
    3. 1Password: This one works as a password manager as well, but has features that will check out whether your passwords have been leaked.

    How Password Management Software Can Help You Keep Your Information Safe

    Now that you know how important it is to have some tough passwords that are different for all of your accounts, you may be worried about who you will remember all of these different passwords for your needs. This is where a password manager will come into play. The password manager can take all of the work out of remembering and keep all your data safe. Benefits of using a password manager include:

    -You Don’t Need a Good Memory

    The main benefit of using this password manager is that it will give your security online a boost. You can make the passwords as strong as you would like without having to remember them. You can make them long with lots of different random characters and symbols and numbers and the password manager will remember it all for you.

    -You Can Choose Tougher Passwords

    Without having to remember all of those passwords, you can use stronger ones and even go with ones that are a random match of numbers and letters. This helps you to really get something strong that is hard to break through. You can even use a different password for each access point so if there is a breach, it won’t result in everything getting ruined in the process.

    -You Have Fast Access to Websites and Accounts

    These password managers help you to get onto your accounts quickly. You just need to type in one password and you can then automatically get all of your accounts opened up for you. This helps you to speed up your time without having to type in all of the usernames and passwords and remember them all.

    -Password Managers can help with more than just passwords

    While the password manager is awesome for helping with passwords, you will find that it can help you to store and manager a lot more than that. For example, some of these are designed to help you store and access the information for your credit card. Others can make it so you need to do more than one step to authenticate it is you so your information and data will stay safe.

    -They Help with Managing Any Accounts That are Shared

    If you share an account with others in the company, it is important to make sure that you can manage the passwords and only allow those with the right credentials to get one. A password manager makes it easier for you to manage and change the password when it is necessary. Some even have some features so that one person is able to be in control the password on the account while providing access to some other users, without even having to give out the password.

    There are many great password managers that you can choose to use to help you keep track of all those complicated passwords you now need to make. Some of the best include:

    1. Kaspersky
    2. Keeper
    3. Dashlane
    4. NordPass
    5. Google Chrome also has a password manager built in for you.
    6. RoboForm

    When it comes to your password, the stronger you can make it and the more you monitor your accounts, the easier it is to keep hackers away and protect all of your data. Make sure to check out the tips above to help you take care of yourself online.


  • Cyber Security at Home: How to Stay Protected

    Cyber Security at Home: How to Stay Protected

    The most essential transactions these days happen over the internet. However, even though the increasingly connected world makes work easier, we expose most of our personal information to hackers. Hackers have several ways of stealing essential information that is put to misuse. This article has detailed several new tricks that hackers can use to steal your data and the best practices to promote more robust security.

    Latest tricks hackers use today and how to stay safe

    Phishing

    This is a fake email that hackers create that looks legitimate. The primary goal of using email phishing is to steal confidential information such as bank account details and passwords. The email may appear to have originated from the company you work for or your bank. The email tries to create panic or urgency by tricking users into providing their personal information. For instance, you may receive an email from your bank claiming that your ATM is disabled, and you have to confirm your card number for re-activation. Most users fall for the email, which malicious hackers send to have your data.

    How to protect your data

    When you receive a fake email, look for grammatical errors in email addresses or domain names. Hackers also use email addresses that resemble well-known organizations but slightly are altered.

    Also, check if the email has a link. If one is present, hover your mouse on the link and check if the URL matches the link provided in the email.

    Hackers use threats such as your account has been blocked or your security is compromised. Avoid such tricks.

    Malware

    Hackers write this malicious software intending to compromise your home computer cybersecurity to access confidential information. The software can perform functions that include deleting or stealing vital data, tracking the victim’s activities secretly, and modifying the system’s core functionalities. Some factors that lead to malware installation in your system, include running a pirated or older version of an operating system, installing pirated software or clicking on unknown links.

    Some of these malware software’s include:

    • A virus that can infect your software and disable system functionality
    • Trojans that create backdoors in your home computer cybersecurity for hackers to monitor your activities
    • Spyware that hackers design to spy on a user and track everything they do online including your surfing habits, passwords, and credit card numbers.

    How to maintain safety

    • Install legitimate antivirus software.
    • Avoid clicking on fake antivirus pop-ups generated from websites.
    • Avoid downloading fake software
    • Update your operating systems often
    • Avoid downloading pirated software or apps since they may contain malware

    Insecure networks

    Connecting your devices and systems to insecure networks creates an excellent opportunity for hackers to access your files and monitor your online activities. With that, a hacker can steal your bank account password and your social accounts or even inject malware on your trusted sites. With the wide range of programs available on the internet, a hacker can get close to your residence and gain access to your accounting data, passwords, usernames, and critical files. If such in-depth knowledge gets into the wrong hands, it can cause damaging consequences to your business.

    Connecting to free Wi-Fi at the airport or coffee shop is dangerous, especially when carrying out essential activities online, like having private conversations, banking, or browsing your email. The networks are not protected and can give hackers an opportunity in the same region to snoop on you.

    How to protect your data

    Do not connect to open, untrustworthy Wi-Fi networks. Free Wi-Fi may not be safe. When in a hotel or bar with Wi-Fi, do not connect randomly to any open network. Ask the staff which Wi-Fi is safe to connect to. That can minimize the chances of your accounts being hacked.

    Also, avoid accessing any vital information while connected or performing bank transactions. Use strong encryption like WPA2 on your home Wi-Fi router instead of WEP security or Open.

    Physical security threats

    This is threat involves people accessing your devices, such as mobile devices, laptops, and hard drives physically.

    People underestimate physical security threats in favor of technical threats like malware and email phishing. However, physical security threats occur when one can physically gain access to vital information, such as information collected from stolen devices.

    These physical breaches can take place at your home or workplace. For instance, one could access an unattended system that is not protected by a password or get access to your confidential files.

    How to stay safe

    • Use encrypted USBs and computer hard drives when storing confidential information. Avoid writing your passwords on a notepad or post-it.
    • Also, protect your system with a strong password. Avoid leaving your pc or phone unlocked. Ensure that you have proper backup and enable remote wipe services in case you lose your phone.

    Smishing

    This is where a hacker tries to trick you into providing them with your data via either an SMS message or a phone call. This technique is becoming more common and is a growing threat to online security.

    Smishing utilizes elements of social engineering to have you submit your vital data. The hacker earns the user’s trust and gets access to their personal information. The data can be anything from details of your bank account, OTPs, or online password to gain access your accounts. An attacker can use the information for various attacks. Sometimes the SMS messages come with short links with tempting offers and deals. When you click the link, the malware gets installed on your device.

    How to protect your data

    • Avoid sharing your personal information over an SMS or phone call
    • Before clicking links in a message, make sure you verify its identity. If you get a message claiming it is from a person you know and requests for critical data, contact the person using the phone number in your contacts and verify that they have requested the data.

    Malicious mobile apps

    Most people believe that every app available on the Apple Store or Google Playstore is legitimate. However, not every app on these stores is safe. Some apps contain some malicious codes that can jeopardize your privacy.

    A malicious app may have a code snippet that installs on your mobile phone or tablet. The app may also request permissions that may be valuable to hackers in getting your vital information, including your text messages, media, and contacts.

    It is essential to be smart before accepting permissions such as:

    • Accounts access
    • SMS permission
    • Microphone access
    • Contacts
    • Device admin permission

    How to protect your data

    • Before downloading an app from Google Playstore or Apple store, first, check the permissions.
    • Check the app’s reviews and ratings
    • Avoid downloading applications from unknown sources
    • Do not download cracked or pirated apps

    Top 10 vulnerabilities of using the same password

    Password reuse is among serious cybersecurity concerns. Users and administrators can use several ways to increase their password security, but they are often not adopted. Below is how you can ensure vital information in your web application is not compromised because of password reuse.

    The danger of password reuse

    Even with the most secure password, using it on several applications and websites can make it insecure. With the increasing global data breaches, there is a high chance that your password is stored in some applications or sites. Fortunately, some sites do not store passwords in plain text, meaning that the hacker only compromises the password hash in case of a data breach. In that case, a hacker only requires less time to get the password.

    Password manager security

    Most users resort to password managers to deal with password reuse. Most of the password managers are easy to use and cross-platform. That means that one can store their password database in the cloud and access it via a web interface from your mobile phone or PC. Password managers deal with password reuse and can generate unique passwords. However, such passwords can be challenging to remember.

    Length or complexity

    The most common password policy that administrators enforce in web applications, among other systems, is the length and complexity policy. However, the policy is weak.

    A few websites can check how long it can take a hacker to crack their password using a brute-force attack. For instance, if you feed an 8-character password with special characters, upper and lowercase, as well as numbers into the website, it can determine how long it can take to break the password. The sites can guide you on how to increase the complexity of your password.

    Is length enough?

    If the brute-force method is the only password cracking process, password length would be the best way to outdo attacks. However, dictionary attacks can decrypt passwords with commonly used words. A password with similar letters would be a hard nut to crack. If you use fake words that are easy to memorize, you can avoid the dictionary attacks.

    A false sense of security

    Force users to change their passwords regularly to increase your password security. Web applications and other systems use this common mechanism. Such mechanisms store hashes of old passwords, limiting the user to reuse their previous passwords.

    However, this policy introduces a false sense of security since most people only one character at the end, and they keep replacing it after every few months. Therefore, it is better not to implement this mechanism in your web application since it does not prevent dictionary attacks.

    Clear text passwords

    They are passwords stored in configuration files in exact text or passwords that remain visible even after the end-user types them. They are vulnerable to password hacking, be it as configuration files or inputs.

    The passwords pose a threat to password security since they expose the user’s credentials and allow attackers to act as legitimate users to access the accounts.

    Multi-factor Authentication

    Nowadays, the most robust defense against password attacks is the (MFA) multi-factor authentication. The mechanism is also part of most compliance requirements of DSS, PCI among others.

    The common (MFA) method is the one that the web application sends a one-time code SMS to the user’s mobile number. However, hackers compromise such mechanisms using SIM-swap attacks. They trick the mobile operator into providing a duplicate SIM card of the user and use it to get the SMS with a one-time code.

    To avoid that, use one-time-password (OTP) solutions like FreeOTP or Google Authenticator. Mobile apps send a push notification to your phone or send a one-time code generated by the app.

    Password recovery systems

    Applications with systems that allow users to reset or recover their password can also offer hackers the opportunity to access your vital information. The remember, a forgotten password mechanism is a possible way of authenticating a user, but it must be strong.

    Hackers can act as users and attempt to access users’ accounts by trying resetting the password. Applications that depend on security questions like a pet’s name or birthday are insignificant for authentication since attackers can access vital information for users in social networking accounts.

    Hardware tokens

    It is the ultimate security option for MFA. They are now becoming popular, especially the hardware keys. The idea has been in existence for several years and was used by certain software designers to combat piracy. Besides, there are keys one can use for mobile phones and computers. They can use either a wireless one or a physical interface.

    The hardware security mechanisms are now part of regular computing machines like laptops and desktops. Computers have hardware modules that offer encryption technologies. Operating systems like Windows 10 is compatible with the FIDO2 standard. That means that any device with Windows 10 and the hardware module can function as a hardware key. Nowadays, phones come with facial recognition or fingerprint scanners. With all these features and password combinations, one is sure of extra security.

    All passwords matter

    Most web application developers think that when an unprivileged user experiences a password breach, it will not endanger the web application. However, that is not the case. For instance, if a hacker uses SQL injection to a list of password hashes and hacks a user’s password, they can use it to gain access to privileged accounts in the system. The hacker can also get a user’s password via email phishing, social engineering, or malware, which is beyond a web application developer.

    Therefore, the application developer should make sure that users are using secure passwords at all times. You can test for weak passwords or use a password security mechanism in your application.