Essential Practices for Individuals and Businesses to Stay Secure Online

In the early days, the Internet was much like the Wild West regarding security. In such a lawless environment, you were never sure how safe you were. Even though the modern internet is much safer, it’s also a double-edged sword.

Despite online security systems constantly improving, the tactics of cybercriminals adapt and become more severe too. To put this in perspective, the cost of cybercrime is expected to increase from $8.15 trillion in 2023, to $11.36 trillion by 2026.

Without a doubt, that is a massive cost to the global economy and neither you nor your business would want to be on that side of the statistics. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to incorporate practices to stay secure online.

What Are Cyber Threats?

A cyber threat is a malicious act that compromises the online security of you or your business, which often includes personal, private, and confidential data. Every attack varies depending on what the cybercriminal is after and how they operate.The most common attacks are in the form of malware, phishing, ransomware attacks, data breaches, but there are various other attacks.

How Can You Protect Yourself and Your Business?

Besides being monitored by third parties, something that may shape your behavior or even your thoughts, you and your assets are also at risk of being targeted by cybercriminals. There are ways to secure yourself, and companies such as Incogni can help you clear your digital footprint.
Protection for Individuals

1. Use strong and unique passwords
   Keeping tabs on many passwords is challenging, but it’s an essential part of our modern lives. The major problem is that hackers can access many of your accounts, multiplying the damage.
2. Check and install updates
   It’s imperative to keep your software and hardware updated as soon as these are available. It’s not just because of the improvements those updates might offer but also because they often patch security vulnerabilities, which are often critical.
3. Use 2-step verification
   It’s a hassle, but 2-step verification (2SV) is essential to keep you safe. You get a code by SMS or email that you must use when logging in to prove that you’re you. It’s safer because it requires more than just a password.
4. Back up your data
   Backing up files and documentation is essential because of potential hardware failures, but it’s also critical when dealing with cybersecurity. Ransomware attacks are unfortunately common, but you have nothing to fear if your information is secure elsewhere.
   

Protection for Businesses

1. Use a payment provider
   Storing your customers’ financial data safely is very difficult, and it doesn’t make much sense if you’re a small business. The best idea is to use payment providers such as Stripe that process payments on their side.
2. Enable 2SV
   We’ve mentioned how important this is as an individual. As a business, it’s a must. Imagine someone having unauthorized access to your customer’s account and making fraudulent transactions. It’s critical to allow customers to add this extra protection factor.
3. Use SSL certificates
   Using SSL is a must for any serious business. It means that the transferred data is encrypted, so it can’t be deciphered even if stolen. It’s crucial to use payment providers that also use this type of certificate.
4. Be updated
   Updating your platform is crucial. If you’re a small business, you’re particularly at risk because hackers understand you may not be as diligent as large corporations. If you get hacked, gaining your customer’s trust back can be challenging.