January 05, 2021

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Author: Billie Walden

Security Posture Methods You Should Follow

The security of stored data on your computer may be compromised. To believe it or not to believe it is up to everyone. But there are already several proven ways to make all your actions on the internet confidential, and your data is securely protected.

Protected Internet: is it a myth? Or is it an available option for everybody?

More and more often, there is news that the special services are watching someone, monitoring someone, listening, watching, etc. Some experts say that certain special services can already control absolutely any person on the planet. The internet used by millions and billions of people helps in many ways.

How to stop internet tracking? We’ve listed the best ways for that.

Even if you don’t give in to the panic of being harassed and constantly monitored, the prospect that data on the internet is poorly protected and easy to find out shouldn’t be encouraging. And to prevent the leakage of personal information, you can resort to a number of methods.

What are the security posture methods you can use? We’ve chosen the most proven ways of data protection.

15 security posture methods 

1. Check your social media privacy settings

Social networks collect a huge amount of information about the people who use them. Many people may be truly shocked by the amount of personal data that is freely available. You can partially solve this problem by changing the privacy settings in social networks.

Open the settings of the same Instagram or Facebook. They can find a dozen points that enable you to restrict unauthorized persons’ access to particular information.

Instagram Photo Flow Helps Hackers to Spy on Users. Do everything possible to avoid your data privacy leaks. 

2. Don’t use public cloud services for personal data storage

You can accidentally give out some important information in social networks and in cloud services that seem secure at first glance. People use public services like Google Docs to store databases, passwords, scanned documents, etc. Of course, you can’t do that. Services created for collaboration are not suitable for storing confidential information. It is better to use more highly specialized products.

We’ve already written about Dropbox privacy. If you don’t read this article, it’s high time to read and stop to store your files in Dropbox service.

3. Hide your main email address and phone number

To avoid running into spam, you need to use your mailbox and phone number only on trusted sites. To register on questionable resources, you should use secondary data. Or even start a one-time email, so that if something happens, you won’t find dozens of emails from various stores in your mailbox later.

Use updated Email Security Solutions for 2020.

4. Use messengers with enhanced encryption

Now almost all modern messengers are equipped with advanced data encryption systems. This even leads to scandals on a national scale. It is simply impossible to hack such messengers.

We’ve compared the most reliable messenger. You can choose from reading our previous article How Secure Is Your App: Wickr vs Signal vs Utopia.

5. Passwords should be complex and different

Password security is now being talked about everywhere. Complex 12-character passwords have become a cult and vital necessity. And such a means of protection is difficult to overestimate. This is not paranoia but a real opportunity to save your data. But it is extremely difficult to remember such passwords. You still need to create a new one for each service. Modern browsers and password storage programs come to the rescue.

Those who use Safari know that Apple’s proprietary browser creates passwords and stores them in the cloud so that the device owner never has to pick them up, invent them, or remember them again. Naturally, this function should not be neglected in any case.

If you want to choose the most private passwords, you can read our password guide.

6. Don’t leave your smartphone or PC unlocked

A huge number of people do not protect their computers, tablets, and smartphones in any way. They just leave them without a password, without being blocked by a fingerprint scanner, and so on. Surprisingly, many are simply too lazy to use such mechanisms. After all, Face ID or Touch ID may not work. You will have to enter the code, which is a long chore, and in General, it is also necessary to remember it. 

At the same time, many are guided by the fact that even if they steal a smartphone, they will find something interesting there. A lot of things, actually. Photos, geolocation, numbers, postal addresses, and much more. Therefore, you always need to set passwords and activate Face ID with Touch ID and analogs.

Even iOS 14 Has Been Hacked in 10 Seconds. You can read the article to know more.

7. Use Utopia P2P

Utopia is a decentralized ecosystem that provides secure and private internet usage for each person. It is a free place without censorship or online surveillance. The developers are anonymous so nobody can influence on them.

For registration, the person doesn’t add his private data, including email address, name, and phone number. Instead, the ecosystem generated a private key that gives access to the account.

Utopia includes an instant messenger, browser, crypto container, email, e-wallet, etc. Also, there are multiplayer games that allow the user to enjoy leisure time with friends.

8. Avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi network

Public Wi-Fi networks are probably one of the worst places to conduct online transactions or send some important data. These networks are usually not protected in any way, which means that unauthorized people can interfere with the traffic that passes through them. They, in turn, do this to force some valuable information that you can then earn. If possible, avoid such networks. And if you had to use it, you need to arm yourself with a good VPN service in advance.

Google is watching us everywhere. Read our article on this theme and be under protection from surveillance.

9. Install a good software package

Whether you are a Windows or Mac user, antivirus software alone is not enough to provide an acceptable security level. You must install a software package that includes virus and spam protection, secure web surfing tools, and email protection tools. As a rule, it is better to order such software from your internet service provider because they offer it to their customers at a reduced cost.

10. Update the software

It is proved that the most vulnerable places in security are gaps in the operating system and popular programs. So, Windows and Mac operating systems should always be up to date. 

Also, set up automatic updates of all software from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe – it is through security holes in the most popular software that many successful attacks occur. Such updates will often have the most recent fixes for all identified threats.

11. Configure your browser correctly

The security settings set in your browser settings by default already protect your computer and information from most cyberattacks that occur during site navigation. However, if your computer directly or indirectly comes into contact with important confidential information, open the browser settings, and study the security settings. The higher you raise the security level, the more you and your data will be protected in the network.

12. Protect your home network

Enable WPA2 encryption on the wireless router. Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one. Hide the name of your network so that only you can access it. Contact your internet service provider to help you set up security.

Did you know all types of network? You can learn how to distinguish them in our article.

13. Secure your connection with a VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are an extremely popular way to protect your internet connection. This protection is provided by encrypting and routing your internet traffic through a secure server located in any part of the world of your choice. There are many available and easy-to-use VPN services (see: ‘VPN easy guide’ to simple VPN services) that allow you to leave no network traces. And encryption, being one of the best online security tools, will protect your information, even if it was intercepted.

14. Don’t open suspicious emails

Very often, cyberattacks are carried out through emails. Hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated, so opening such an email will often take just one click to get infected. Open messages only from verified senders and be especially careful when clicking on links in messages sent by email.

Did you hear anything about email bomb that has been spreading through the internet? It would be best if you took all measures to avoid it.

15. Be vigilant

If you take work from home, whether you transfer work files on a flash drive or remotely connect to the work network from your laptop, data security is at risk. According to statistics, theft of confidential data often occurs from home computers, so before opening work data on them, perform a comprehensive scan of your home computer with an antivirus.

Read our Fully-Fledged Guide on Ways to Protect Your Data Online.

Conclusion

Suppose you think that following these tips is too difficult. In that case, your data’s security is already under threat, and this is an unacceptable luxury in the case of business. Remember that if you use internet, your attitude to online security should be strong enough. These steps will help to protect yourself in today’s world of cyber threats.