Since the dawn of the internet, protecting your personal data has quickly become more important than ever before. With the increasing number of cyberattacks, identity thefts, and data breaches, it’s become essential to take proactive steps toward keeping your data safe online.
Here are some practical tips to help you keep your data safe when browsing the internet, shopping online, or even participating in activities like online gambling.
Avoid Submitting Personal Information Online
While it might not always be possible, you should always try to avoid submitting your personal and financial details online unless you really have to.
When visiting a site, always think before you submit your personal data. Do they really need that information, and is there a way around giving it out? Sometimes, it can be better to look for alternatives.
A great example of this is no KYC (Know Your Customer) casinos, as they are perfect for anyone who might be concerned about their personal and financial data. But, on top of that, they also offer benefits such as a higher selection of games, bigger bets, and bigger bonuses.
For those who enjoy online gambling, no KYC Bitcoin online casinos offer an additional layer of privacy and security for your data.
While traditional online casinos often require personal information, such as ID, address details, and financial documents. No KYC casinos allow users to deposit and withdraw funds without providing personal and financial information.
As well as finding alternative sites or apps that require less data, you can also use a secondary email address and a fake phone number, such as Google Voice or something similar. This way, you’re limiting how much important data you actually share.
If you really have to dish out your personal details, make sure to check the site’s terms and conditions to see what they do with your information once they have it. It should be just to provide the service you are signing up to, however, keep an eye out for any mention of third parties.
Use Strong Passwords
This might seem obvious, but you would be surprised by the amount of data breaches that could have been avoided with better passwords.
Avoid using easily guessable passwords. Instead, make sure to use a password that includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
It’s important to make sure that you use a unique password for every site/account you have. Failing to use a unique password every time could lead to multiple accounts being breached at once. If you’re worried about forgetting your password, you could use a password manager to help you keep track of strong passwords.
As well as using strong passwords, you can push your online security even further by using 2FA (Two Factor Authentication). This requires you to confirm the login attempt with a third-party app, which then provides you with a secure 2FA code before you are able to log in.
Only Use Secure Websites
Before entering your personal or financial details on a website, check for the ‘https’ prefix on the URL and the padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar.
These indicate that the website is secure and that any data you enter will be encrypted. If you don’t see the padlock, and the URL only displays ‘http’, it means the site is not using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) which could leave your data vulnerable to breach.
Don’t Use Public Wi-Fi
While public Wi-Fi networks might be convenient, they are also extremely risky to use. Hackers have been known to gain personal information from computers connected to public Wi-Fi, making them a hotspot for data breaches.
If you really must access public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive data or making financial transactions. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, always use a VPN to add an extra layer of security.
Keep Software Updated
Running out-of-date software can be another security vulnerability, which could lead to your personal and financial data being stolen. Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, as your software could be missing out on the latest security patches.
Updating software is quick and easy, and can mean the difference between your data being secure or not. In most cases, you can even enable auto-updates, letting your computer do the updates for you, so you don’t need to worry about it.
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps protect your online activity by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet connection. Whether browsing, streaming, or shopping online, using a VPN ensures that your data is safe from hackers and protects your data online.
Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common ways hackers obtain personal information, such as passwords or credit card details. These scams can come in the form of emails, phone calls, or text messages and have become increasingly convincing over the years.
Make sure to be cautious when receiving unsolicited emails asking for personal data, and ensure you never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Phishing scams are one of the most dangerous exploits out there, but they can be avoided by simply learning to spot a fake link. Many phishing exploits will offer financial incentives as bait; however, if it sounds too good to be true, the chances are, it is.
