Security is a very important aspect in the digitally connected world because if you are not aware of digital security you may loose your hard earned money and also get blackmailed by the hackers so what are the important step which may help you to stay protected while enjoying this connected world. so these tips can be used to save you from data theft and being hacked or a victim of online fraud.
so what are the steps which can be used to protect let's elaborate them.
1. Avoid phishing sites : so what are these phishing sites , phishing sites are sites which look like the original sites but when you enter your credential to it the you information are actually provided to the hacker and the hacker may use it to as there need. so how to avoid the phishing sites, actually that is very simple always look for the lock icon on web browser address bar is it shows it is locked it means the website has the right encryption enabled on it and it is protected but wait what is the "Encryption". Encryption is method to encode the require information in a predefined way and it will decoded only where is it intended to do so . now if any one tries to capture the data packed while in wire or in transport and tries to read it. the hacker can not be able to extract information from it . and in this way the data is saved from the hackers or man in between(a hacking technique ).
Basically there the are Two methods which are mostly employed for website and email protection these days. one is SSL(secure socket layer) and the another is TLS(transport layer security).
for details of SSL and TLS look this post.
2. Wi-Fi Router/Modem/ONT Security: Wi-Fi is very useful technology it makes the life so easier that you do not have to seat on a place to use internet if your are using Wi-Fi for communication but it opens the doors for the hacker to get into your network and make your life pathetic. so what should i do to ensure no one is able to hack my router . there are many steps that can be used to prevent you from data theft or other issues related to hacking.
some tips are:
a. Use strong Password i.e one capital letter, one small letter one special character and some digits. never use your birthday, anniversary, your name, your wife's name or your children name as password this may lead to giving your house doors key to the thieves.
b.Never use Unknown DNS providers: DNS means Domain Name System /Server is a service that translate a domain name to IP(Internet protocol) with the help of dns records if you are using a compromised dns it may route your domain to wrong IP and that may leads to a phishing sites. so never use unknown dns providers. if you don't know about DNS providers it is always better to stick with the default DNS of your router or the dns provided by your ISP.
c. Disable UDP: always disable udp (user datagram protocol) in router if you don't have any application that needs it. and most of default values of router /modem/ONT are set for maximum security levels so don't change it .if you don't know what your are doing.
d. Port Forwarding: never do port forwarding for experimental purpose if you don't know about the details of port forwarding and if you necessarily wants to do so. enable it do your work and disable it. because it may leads to attackers first choice to enter in to your network.
3. Phones security: all phone are smart today and first target for hacking so your phone is very important for your digital security so what you can do to secure your phone from hackers .
Here are some tips.
1. Update your phone software regularly in now days android and iOS release security updates regularly so when a update is available don't skip install anyway. old phones with no updates have more chances to get hacked and data theft so always try to get phones with latest software running with latest software updates.
2.never and never forward any WhatsApp massage that has tinny URL with message that if you will forward it to 10 or 20 peoples you will get some gift or cash reward for it. actually this may scam once you click on link it will install some malicious code in your phone and that will be used to get you tracked or hacked your personal details along with bank credentials.
3.Always try to buy a phone in which the manufacturer gives a guarantee of at least 2 or 3 updates of software so that you don't need to buy anew phone for at least 4 year on a security point of view.
4.Never click on class 0 massages on phone : Class 0 massages are massages that popup on the screen but don't save on the phone if you saw this type of massages on phone ask your service provider to block this types of massages . as this type of massage have some encrypted codes which may lead you to some phishing website or install some malicious code the phone.
5.do not us public wi-fi for online financial transaction. the public wi-fi open network have more potential of threats so don't use it. there is also a method of sim jacking in which the attacker collect all your information from various social media websites and he tries to get a new sim where they can OTP SMS for transaction. to avoid sim jacking never respond to a call OR sms asking for OTP for upgradation of your sim card or to give you a bill discount if you provide them your OTP.
6. when ever you exchange your phone all use privacy eraser app or computer software after factory resetting and before giving to to the exchange agency . the formatted phone data may be recovered so after formatting if your run privacy erase for 1 or 2 times it may impossible for any software to recover the files from that phone.
you may google for some paid or open source privacy eraser software.
These are the some basic tips you may to secure your digital identity and a peace of mind .
THANK YOU
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In next post on security i will show you some advance tips on network vulnerability the their solutions.