Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing sector expected to hit $350 billion worldwide by 2026, with anti-virus software, cyber consultancy and anonymising VPN connections increasingly popular. It’s the latest hot topic, with evolving methods and constant developments to prevent and combat the growing trends of online crime.

Forecasts reveal that global cybercrime damage extends to 6$ trillion annually. With financial transactions, social interactions, and connections becoming digitized, organizations and individuals leave their data vulnerable in the hands of internet-based platforms.

The daily activities and tasks people take for granted (from using social media platforms to writing and reading emails) leave a digital trail of data. When unprotected, data can become the target of cybercriminals.

The effects of getting hacked are debilitating

Cybercrimes are expected to cost the global economy $5.2 trillion from 2019 to 2023, data reveals. The victims of cyberattacks experience financial loss due to stunted operations, investigation costs, security consulting, damage control, acquiring of new cybersecurity measures, and loss of clients.

When hackers target individuals they

• Hijack usernames and passwords
• Abusively use their Social Security number
• Steal money
• Ruin their credit
• Sell their sensitive information to parties who use it for illegal purposes
• Make purchases

With the alarmingly high cybercrime rates, organizations and individuals need to place cybersecurity higher in their priorities. Here are three habits that can stop hackers in their tracks.

1.      Use an Encrypted Network

Encryption is vital to browse the web safely. Sadly, the Internet traffic is usually unencrypted, making you an ideal target for cybercriminals looking for ways to steal your sensitive data to leverage it. Encryption allows you to keep your online activities safe from the eyes of third parties that want to observe your online browsing or steal your information.

There are multiple ways to hide your Internet traffic from prying eyes, but the best one is to use a Virtual Private Network that keeps your internet connection under wraps. A VPN encrypts your Internet connection so no third party can observe your online activity, access your browsing history or steal your sensitive data.

It can successfully shield you from hackers because it improves your privacy and security. It also protects your when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network that hackers may use to inject malware into your device or steal your data.

Two main features of a VPN:

Encryption – the VPN is developed to enable secure information between two devices connected to the Internet. It encrypts your data before sending it to the VPN server and from there to the online destination.

IP masking – your IP address can sometimes provide information about your actual home address and allow third parties to track your online activities. When you use a VPN, you connect to the VPN server before browsing the Internet that hides your real IP address. Hackers cannot identify your location, access your data, track your network, or hack your IoT devices.

When you’re looking for a VPN, you can get a VPN free trial to determine if it fits your needs. During the trial period, keep an eye on the following features:

• Secure protocols
• Kill-switch
• Supported platforms
• History

2.      Create strong passwords for each account

Your passwords grant access to your life, and cybercriminals have numerous password-hacking methods at their disposal to break them. As you may have guessed, the best practice to protect yourself from hacking is to create strong, unique passwords for all accounts.

However, with the increasing number of online accounts you’re expected to manage nowadays, you are tempted to use the same one (preferably one easy-to-remember) for all. And the issue with simple passwords is everyone uses them, and hackers can easily guess them or buy them on the black market. When you create strong passwords, there are fewer chances for cybercriminals to compromise them.

The anatomy of an impossible-to-crack password

• Use a minimum of 15 characters
• Mix characters (lower and upper case, numbers, symbols)
• Avoid common substitutions
• Don’t use memorable keyboard paths
• Don’t use full names or words
• Use a phrase easy to remember (Nothing good happens after 3 am)

3.      Enable two-factor authentication

Gone are the days when only your email password protected you from hacking. Even if you have a unique, strong password developed following the mentioned steps, malware can still get into your devices. Or someone can see you typing your password, memorize it, and log into your account. Brute-force attacks and credential stuffing are common cyber threats.

Two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security to your devices and accounts and protect you against phishing emails. If a malicious third party sends you a dodgy email to trick you into logging in with your credentials to a fake website, this feature can protect you because only a legitimate web page can send you a working two-factor code.

When you want to log into one of your accounts, you receive a unique one-time password, a link, or a secret code on your registered email or mobile number. Supposing your social media platforms, bank, or credit card company allows you to enable two-factor authentication, do it immediately.

Third-party apps like Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator also enable two-factor authentication. After installing them, you can enable this option for all apps installed on your internet-connected device that support two-factor authentication. It would be wise to also enable it on financial platforms, cloud storage platforms, and eCommerce websites.

Conclusion 

45% of data breaches are the result of hacking. You don’t have to be part of that 45% because you can adopt the above three digital habits to prevent cybercriminals from accessing and stealing your sensitive information. Use a VPN to boost your privacy and security, hide your browsing history and hide your sensitive information from cybercriminals or other malicious third parties.

Create a strong password that follows the listed rules to prevent hackers from breaking into your accounts, and activate two-factor authentication to safeguard your apps and accounts.

The secret to protecting your online privacy is to keep up with the latest updates in the cybersecurity sector. New threats are constantly emerging but so do new solutions to dealing with them.