What are The Biggest Cybersecurity Concerns People Have Today? Data breaches exposed 4.2 billion records in 2016 alone. The same year, more than 15 million people became victims of identity frauds in the United States. Who can forget the hacking of Google accounts of Hillary Clinton’s campaign aids! When the former secretary of state can fall prey to hacking, you have to ask yourself – how well can the cybersecurity laws protect your online privacy?
Ashley Madison, the website that offers dating services to married individuals also faced a data breach that left its users in utter disbelief. The hacker who stole the data asked the website to shut down and when it didn’t, they released gigabytes of data that contained .gov and .mil email IDs, which added to the embarrassment. These are just a few of the many, many data breaches that occur every year. Is your information safe on your mobile phone, laptop, cloud storage, or anywhere else when you are connected to the internet? Or is it just a matter of time before your credentials end up in the hands of blackmailing hackers? Here are the biggest concerns that people have when it comes to their cybersecurity.
How Safe Is My Password?
Keeper, a password manager, recently released the list of 25 most common passwords, and “123456” was one of the list toppers. Really? A password is the one string of characters that protects complete access to your online lives, and 123456 is the best you can do? According to experts, changing passwords constantly, and changing the security settings regularly is a good bet. But, like in any case, common sense is your best protection. Common sense also helps you address the next concern.
Are Public Wi-Fi Networks Safe?
No, public Wi–Fi networks are not safe at all. But, if you absolutely have to use them, then running a VPN could do the trick, as it would encrypt all your web traffic. If a link does not feel legit, simply do not click on it and downloading from untrusted parties is akin to handing your personal data to a hacker. But, what if the hacker can reach me? This brings us to the next concern.
Is the Device in My Pocket Really Private?
You may have heard about the DNC leaks and even the NSA hacks. These are but a tip of the large-scale cyber security attacks that plague us today. With such big organizations falling prey to data breaches, common people are concerned about how safe their own devices are?
When Will the Next Cyberattack Hit?
A majority of Americans believe that there will be a cyber attack on its public infrastructure soon. They are not completely wrong in expecting it. Remember the Mirai malware? Named after an anime series, this malware could turn Linux-based devices into bots that could be remotely controlled. They
can then be primed for a cyberattack, when convenient. Its source code has been released to the public and can be freely used by anyone. Mirai is one of the most notorious malwares ever created and has been used in a number of DDoS attacks in 2016.
Cybersecurity is an institutional concern, as much as it is an individual one. Inculcate good online habits. Manage your passwords well; do not respond to emails that promise you huge rewards for no apparent effort or reason; most importantly, scan your devices with an anti-virus. In case you think that your device has been infected, backup the data and format it. These are the small things that can make a huge difference to your online life, and its privacy and security.