Find out how cyber smart you are

As you know, security is our favourite topic. The reason we keep harping on it is simple—the more connected and online people are, the more vulnerable they become. For instance, we might love the convenience of location services on our smartphones, but do we think about the fact that we’re basically allowing strangers to track our movements? Do we wonder why that new app we’re downloading asks for so many permissions?

To balance the advantages of technology and staying safe requires a different kind of street smarts. Perhaps we should call it cyber smarts. Kaspersky, makers of security solutions, listed the “top 10 habits of cyber-savvy people”. Here they are, and here’s why they are important:

1.  Protect devices with passwords: A password to access your phone, tablet or even computer is your first line of defence. Casual mischief makers are immediately stopped in their tracks.

2.  Update OS and apps: Software updates often plug vulnerabilities or add extra layers of security. Ignore them at your own risk. Keeping security software updated is also essential.

3.  Consider using a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN hides your IP address, allowing unhindered internet access, as well encrypts your communications, keeping you secure and private. Both free and paid VPN services are available, but it is imperative to go with a trusted party.

4.  Use strong passwords: Birthdates, house or car numbers, pets’ and kids’ names are a no-no. Figure out a system to create passwords that mean something to you and only you. If needed, use a password manager. Where possible, use two-factor authentication.

5.  Install apps wisely: As yourself why a simple torch app is asking for permission to view, say, contacts. Limiting permissions is not always in our control, so be suspicious of apps that ask for excessive access.

6.  Browse privately: Saving logins and passwords may be convenient, but it’s asking for trouble. Anyone can log into your accounts. Saved cookies and other settings are often used by marketeers to target ads or monitor your browsing behaviour. So use private browsing modes to ensure privacy.

7.  Check website legitimacy: This is especially true while banking or shopping. Check the URL to see that you’re on the correct site—most modern browsers will highlight the domain name of the website, like ‘bank.com’ or ‘onlinestore.com’. Also look for the padlock icon before making any transactions.

8.  Use messaging apps that have end-to-end encryption: This means that your messaging app should be encrypted in such a way that no one else may intercept and read it except you and the person it was intended for. While this sounds overly technical, a simple Google search will give you your answer.

9.  Use a screen privacy filter: If you need to work in a public place a lot—or for any reason want to prevent people around you looking at your screen—it might be a good idea to invest in a privacy filter that makes the screen clearly visible only when you’re directly in front of it. They cost about Rs 1,500 onwards and can go up to Rs 5,000.

10.  Back up, back up and then back up again: Despite our best efforts, tech tragedies do happen. Thus, a back up will make life much easier in the event of your device crashing, being stolen or falling down a mountain. But backups are complicated—copying everything to a hard drive that you keep in the house or office is not going to help if, say, there’s a fire or earthquake. Having a cloud backup would be useless if their servers fail or they shut shop. Thus, have multiple backups. It’s not as complicated as it sounds—a lot of it can be automated.

So what’s your score? How many of these 10 habits sound familiar?

Source | Financial Chronicle | 29 September 2015