Protecting you from cybercrimes 5 cybersecurity rules that you can apply
Whether you are an IT professional, a PC hobbyist, or without a technical background, you always need to handle things very carefully so as not to become a victim of cybercrime .
When a business network is compromised by ransomware, the culprit is rarely an evil genius hacker. The source of the problem is usually simpler: someone has been tricked by a clever piece of social engineering.
To avoid becoming a victim, here are five simple cybersecurity rules you can apply right away to protect yourself.
No need to panic
The natural human reaction when you see a potential threat is to panic and try to do something immediately to solve it.
If you receive an email alerting you that your credit card is about to be charged $480 to renew your non-existent subscription to a service, or that your computer is infected with ransomware, you might be tempted to call the toll-free number in that email.
This will of course connect you to a call center staffed by bad actors who will happily take your credit card details and process some real charges.
Scammers thrive on creating panic among people, so take the time you need to learn about the real threat and consult experts or the relevant authorities in your country before doing anything.
Do not open unknown attachments.
Many potential security threats come in the form of email attachments.
Sometimes they are executable programs, but more likely they are Word documents, PDF files, or HTML files that may be able to run exploit code, or simply try to convince you to enter credentials for an email or bank account.
If you receive an attachment from someone you don't know, the last thing you should do is open it.
Even if the attachment looks like it's from someone you know, it's best to be cautious, especially if the message is unexpected.
The sender's account information may be fake, or their account may have been hacked. If you suspect the attachment is malicious or if the message contains a link to a suspicious website, consider uploading it to Virus Total, a free website owned by a Soocell subsidiary, to scan it and alert you if it is known to be malicious.
Do not click on suspicious links.
Social engineering works by exploiting people's trust.
A scammer who puts minimal effort into a phishing attempt could impersonate an email service administrator and craft links that look close enough to the real thing to trick you.
If you receive an email that makes you think, “This doesn’t look right,” don’t open it.
Even if the message doesn't have any obvious signs, it's still okay to be suspicious, especially if you're asked to click on a link to do something you didn't ask for.
Don't install random apps.
When it comes to keeping your computer safe, the sad truth is that most malware gets on it because you voluntarily chose to install it by downloading a compromised program from a suspicious website.
Here's the obvious solution? Don't install random apps . And if you need to check a program, and you have Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, try running it in Windows Sandbox.
It is a feature that allows you to safely run your device completely isolated from your main system without any complicated setup.
So you can visit a suspicious website or test an unknown app without risk. And when you're done, just close the Sandbox, and all traces of your experience will be removed.
Use a password manager.
People are generally very bad at creating strong, random passwords. In contrast, it is impossible to remember the types of credentials and strong, unique passwords that will keep you secure.
In fact, using a password manager makes it easier to navigate the modern Internet and makes you more secure.
While you're at it, turn on two-factor authentication as well for extra security.