Secure Yourself from these Cyberthreats

As technology is evolving, cybercriminals are getting wiser and more resistant. Especially with the global lockdown and growth in work from home arrangements, users’ devices and data are all the more exposed to cyber threats that were once only discussed in theories. Here are the 3 most common types of cyberthreats that will further grow in popularity in 2021 and onwards. Read the article to find out more about these cyber activities and ways to protect yourself and your colleagues. 

Evil Twin Attacks

Evil twins are dummy Wi-Fi hotspots created to steal sensitive information of people active on the network. People who do not match the Wi-Fi credentials often end up connecting to a fake access point exclusively designed to gather private information, which is later sold on the dark web or held hostage against handsome amounts of ransom. Attackers use mainstream ways to attract then cheat internet users: they create similar Wi-Fi names to create ambiguity, offer strong signals on open platforms that don’t require a passcode.

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Protection Against Evil Twin Attacks

1. Reputable organizations often provide their Wi-Fi credentials in welcome booklets or display them on billboards and LEDs. Verify credentials before logging into a particular Wi-Fi point. Check Wi-Fi name (SSID) and connect to the one that’s the exact match; there should be no difference in the uppercase or lowercase letters as well. Remember that you are protected unless you stumble upon and enter the fake Wi-Fi network which even connects your device with a wrong password.
2. Do not connect your work devices to public Wi-Fi. If the matter is urgent, avoid logging official company portals because doing so may contribute to data leaks.
3. Do not access shopping websites on public WiFi without a VPN.
4. Use a cybersecurity tool that offers highest grade protection on public Wi-Fi. Buy VPN online to encrypt all internet traffic your device exchanges on the network. Activate it before browsing, gaming, streaming, and torrenting. With a VPN, you won’t even have to use incognito mode or private windows.

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware exclusively designed to obtain user IDs and passwords. These malicious software programs process the keyboard activity and analyze the password activity patterns to unlock targeted IDs. because this cyber threat is associated with passwords, the only way to prevent it is to practice efficient password habits.

Password Management Tips

1. Enable 2 Factor Authentication to prevent intruders from bypassing your digital payment and social media accounts. Use biometric verification in apps that support this feature.
2. Create unique, complex passwords for all online platforms. Passwords should be at least 8 characters in length, based on a random sequence of alphanumeric and special characters. Do not use your personal information like date of birth, spouse’s name, or address in the passwords because such can be easy to guess and crack.
3. Change passwords regularly after every 2 months. Consider setting reminders for this purpose.
4. Do not note down your passwords randomly in black and white. If physical security protocols are compromised, your passwords may end up in scammer’s hand.
5. Use a password management tool like Dashlane to generate strong unique passwords and auto-fill them without compromising on privacy and security.

Cyberstalking 

Cyberstalking is one of the fastest-growing cyber threats that shares features with mainstream harassment and emotional torture. A criminal portrays cyberstalking behavior by sending annoying and threatening content through emails, text messages and social media profiles. Such behaviors may be a result of hatred, jealousy, past conflicts or even psychotic conditions and if not intervened, criminals may end up physically harming their victims.

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Ways to Prevent Cyberstalking

1. Educate yourself and your children about local cyberstalking laws. Reach out to the closest lawyer or consultant if you notice cyberstalking behavior.
2. Avoid using social media on public Wi-fi networks or shared devices.
3. Change social media passwords regularly.
4. Review your friends and followers list. Remove, report or block any unknown profiles who seem fake and have no personal or professionals association with you.
5. Keep a close eye on suspicious profiles that regularly engage with your social media posts. Take quick necessary action in case you notice attention-seeking behavior or disrespectful comments.

Final Thoughts

All of these cyber threats are a result of the slightest negligence on a user’s part. While the results might not be as sensitive for an individual, business users can witness far-reaching effects of the littlest data leaks as well. Therefore, it is suggested to ensure maximum online privacy with a complete cybersecurity suite based on premium tools.  Buy VPN online, install an antivirus program, use a password manager and synchronize their credentials on different devices including your Wi-Fi router to achieve network and device-level security.