Strong Passwords, Regular Updates, More: How To Protect Your Personal & Professional Devices From Cyberattacks

Implementing the right cybersecurity solutions is essential in safeguarding your devices from hackers and other risks.

By Ratan Dargan

We are living in an era where the advent of the Internet and new-age technologies has certainly simplified our personal as well as professional lives. While the Internet has made things easier and more convenient for us, it has unavoidably opened up opportunities for various menaces, with cyberattacks being the significant one. With the occurrence of cyberattacks, the meaning of theft expanded to encompass breaking into computers to steal private data and duping people into disclosing personal information, such as bank account information and even identities.
 
Nowadays, as humanity has become more reliant on the Internet, cyberattacks are at an all-time high. According to a report by CheckPoint, there has been a surge of 18 per cent in weekly attacks on Indian organisations in 2023. For businesses, the lack of knowledge about cybercrime has made the issue worse. At a personal level, the bulk of the Indian population is still unsure where to go or whom to report to following the theft. According to a global survey by Experian, 30 per cent of Indian respondents who were surveyed said that they had been victims of identity theft online.
 
The repercussions of cybercrime may change depending on whether the perpetrator is an individual or a commercial enterprise. Cybercriminals can hack individual devices and violate their privacy. At the enterprise level, cybercriminals can exploit firms' competitiveness and hold their data for ransom. As a result, understanding various techniques for countering the threat of cybercrime at both the human and organisational levels has become crucial. So, let's delve into the tips to protect personal as well as professional devices from cyberattacks.

Tips To Protect Personal And Professional Devices

Keep your device up-to-date: It is now recommended that you use the latest versions of your operating system and software on all of your devices. Also, ensure that your apps and gadgets are up-to-date because new versions are effective in correcting bugs and security issues. Furthermore, install operating system updates regularly. The majority of upgrades include security patches that prevent criminals from accessing and misusing your data. The same is true for apps. For instance, you can use your browser to prohibit websites from tracking your movements, thereby increasing your online privacy. Thus, gadget enhancement has become an urgent need in order to keep your device reliable and safe from any form of cyberattacks.
 
Leverage strong passwords: The concept of validating everything and not trusting anyone has emerged as the most critical component of cybersecurity measures. Thus, using strong passwords has become an essential method of preventing attacks. Secure passwords need to be typically longer and more complex because hackers have a plethora of tools at their disposal to crack short, simple passwords in minutes. The more secure your passwords, the more difficult it is for hackers to break into your system. As a result, to safeguard your personal and professional devices, make your password at least eight characters long and include a mix of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and computer symbols.
 
Backup your data: You must have your data backed up in the event of a disaster (typically a cyberattack) to prevent significant downtime, data loss, and significant financial loss. Save all of your key information to a storage device, such as a USB, memory card, external hard drive, or online storage service. After important files have been backed up, make sure storage devices are not left attached to personal devices. If you've just finished your backups, you will still have access to your crucial files even if you need to reset or replace your devices. Likewise, if personal devices are compromised by cyberattacks that prevent you from accessing your important files until you pay a ransom, having recent backups can help you restore your files.
 
Spread awareness: There is no denying the fact that one of the most common reasons for becoming a victim of a cyber threat is a lack of knowledge. While the aforementioned tips will assist both individuals and professionals in protecting themselves, keep in mind that security techniques must evolve as well. Thus, establishing a workplace culture of cyber awareness through excellent training and seminars is one of the finest ways to remain ahead of the criminal game. The more security-conscious each person in a company will be, the more difficult it will become for hackers to target them, regardless of technological developments. On the one hand, the government is creating laws such as the Personal Data Protection Law to safeguard private information more accountably and responsibly.
 
It is no surprise that in today's digital era, getting started with securing personal and professional devices against cybercrime and cyberattacks can be difficult. While we can adopt best practices and follow the advice of professionals and real watchdogs, it is our responsibility to stay aware and vigilant to recognize cybercrime and take proper action. Thus, the most essential lesson here is to start implementing accurate cybersecurity solutions to help safeguard your devices from hackers and other risks.

(The author is the Co-Founder and CTO of ThoughtSol Infotech)

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