Few people
are comfortable leaving their homes or cars unlocked. It’s just too
easy for someone to break in and take your valuables. There’s a lot
at stake, both of a sentimental and monetary nature.
However, for some reason, people aren’t as careful with the
most valuable thing of all – their very identity. The biggest
threats to our livelihoods no longer come from break-ins or
muggings. They
come from cyber crime.
It’s easier than ever to steal someone’s identity, and it
doesn’t require a genius to do it either. Any hacker worth their
salt can do it if you’re unprotected.
As such, it is crucial you have the proper tools installed to
protect your information online. Here are the 3 crucial tools you
need.
1. A VPN
(Virtual Private Network)
When you use the internet, your server sends out signals,
telling websites where you are and sending other relevant data
across. Sticking to secure websites is a start, but it doesn’t do
much to prevent hackers from tracking you and your data. A virtual
private network (VPN) does just that and it is the most potent tool
to protect you.
A VPN routes your connection through an external server,
making it look like you’re somewhere else. It also encrypts your
data. Click through to learn more about
VPN encryption. You don’t need to know all the ins-and-outs to
benefit, as they are intuitive to use no matter what your
background.
2. Password Manager
One of the very people who created password regulations
finally admitted to what tech experts have known for a long time.
Making P4s$w0rd! your password
will not protect you. Software can be programmed to read 4 as A
when trying to decipher a password and it will take no extra time.
Those regulations make it difficult for humans to remember or
decipher passwords, but that’s not really where the danger lies.
Good passwords should be long, have a random combination of
words or letters, and must be different for each account. But this
is not very practical if you’re trying to remember them all. A
password manager remembers them for you, but goes a step further. It
comes up with passwords for you in the first place, so that you are
as secure as you can get. Stealing or deciphering passwords is still
one of the most common ways hackers get into accounts.
3. The Old Antivirus
Antivirus software might seem like some to be a relic from
the past. We remember the way it slowed down our computers while
barely protecting us. But it has evolved since then to be
lightweight and very effective. Viruses can still decimate your
computer and lay waste to all your protection.
There is a constant debate running over whether Macbook’s
need antivirus software or not. There are many experts who say they
don’t. There are many who say they do – most notably, the creators
of antivirus software themselves. It’s hard to say who is right, but
it’s generally good to be safe than sorry.
Use these 3 tools and your information will be much safer.
Without them, you are at constant risk.
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