Here, we discuss the main principles of web security that will help you secure your sensitive information. Such knowledge is mandatory for every user of the Internet, especially students.
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Read on to find out the main principles of web security below.
Use strong password management
Nowadays, when a lot of people are knowledgeable in digital matters, understanding how to create strong passwords is the main step for ensuring security on the Internet and serving your online accounts. It should be strong and unique.
A password should be a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. If you use instead of passwords, your or family members’ birthdate, or other easily identifiable personal information, poses a severe risk to your accounts:
- Your password should have a minimum of 8–12 characters.
- Use a mix of different numbers, letters, and special characters.
- Avoid using information such as your name, birthdate, pet name, etc.
If your level of creativity isn’t enough, use password management tools that generate passwords instead of you. Also, the important step is to update your passwords regularly.
Understanding Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive data, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details. This is typically done by tricking you into giving them information, often using fake emails or websites that look real.
For example, untrue emails that appear to be from your educational institution request you to update your login credentials on a fake website designed to steal information.
Social engineering involves manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. It often exploits human psychology, trust, and helpfulness to gain access to personal data or networks.
For example, fake social media messages offering prizes require the recipient to provide personal details, leading to identity theft or financial fraud. Use our pieces of advice:
- Verify the authenticity of emails or messages.
- Double-check the URL of websites before entering any login credentials or sensitive data.
- Refrain from downloading attachments from unknown senders.
Such illegal methods are common cyber threats that aim to manipulate you or your close environment into disclosing some information or performing specific actions. Understanding these concepts is crucial for students to protect themselves online.
Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks When Working Outside the Home.
In student life, it is important to be mobile and can work wherever. That becomes the reason to connect to public Wi-Fi networks. In such situations, you expose yourself to various security threats, including the risk of data interception by hackers, who may potentially access confidential data.
Use a VPN to secure your internet connection through encryption and safeguard your data, which helps mask the user’s IP address and location.
Ensure that the websites you visit use HTTPS encryption, indicated by a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar, which helps secure data in transit.
Keep Devices and Software Updated
Regularly checking and updating devices is vital for maintaining the security of digital devices. These updates often contain patches for known weaknesses and loopholes that hackers could exploit.
Without these updates, devices become more susceptible to cyber threats. Here are a few practical tips for controlling updates:
- Enabling automatic update settings on devices and applications helps to avoid constantly checking for updates.
- Try to stay informed about the latest security patches by subscribing to technology blogs or setting up notifications from software providers.
If you need step-by-step instructions on enabling automatic updates for your operating systems and applications, you can Google it. Such information is in the public domain.
Protect Your Privacy On Your Social Media
Social media platforms have become a part of the daily lives of many students. But also they bring additional risk. Oversharing personal information can make you vulnerable to identity theft, cyberstalking, and online harassment.
Cybercriminals can exploit this information to create targeted phishing attacks or gain unauthorized access to accounts. You need to customize your profile visibility; it provides an understanding of who can see your profiles and posts.
Try not to share sensitive personal information, such as your real address, real-time location, phone number, or other identifying details, publicly on your profile. It is important to think twice before posting personal information. Once information is posted online, it can be challenging to retract, and you cannot control their future spending.
Follow the Rules For Safe Online Shopping
Online shopping and financial transactions are our everyday routine, and we should not forget what risks they may bring, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and unauthorized access to personal information. Try the following:
- Identifying secure websites before online shopping. It should start with ‘https://’ in the website’s URL, along with a padlock symbol in the address bar.
- They are verifying the site’s SSL certificate, as it indicates that the website is using encryption to secure the data being transmitted.
- Using secure payment gateways when making transactions online. Try to use reputable payment options, such as PayPal, Stripe, or other verified payment systems.
The Importance of Regular Data Backups
Data loss is a slightly different problem that does not depend on external intervention. Sometimes, it can be because of malware attacks, but in general, it happens for reasons such as software failure, accidental deletion, etc.
You can prevent this issue by backing up your files from devices. You could use cloud storage services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, etc, to save data on remote servers accessible via the Internet. In another way, use External Hard Drives that you can connect to a computer to store data.
They provide one more layer of security from potential online threats. When using cloud services, you can plan an automated schedule for backup processes. This could be daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the volume of new data generated.
To Sum Up
We aim for our article to safeguard you from fraudulent activities, ensuring that your educational experience remains secure without any danger to your account or sensitive data. Good luck!
