Gone are the days when you could pay little to no attention to what happens on the internet. These days, you have to be extra cautious of what you do or share online and with whom.
Governments, hackers, and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) place internet users under strict surveillance, thereby gaining access to their internet activities. Hence, users must play their part in guarding their privacy and not just leave it to the companies they interact with
online.
This article will examine what a cyberattack is and how people can shield themselves from cyberattacks through personal privacy compliance. Thinking about what privacy compliance is? We have an article for you on that.
What is a Cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a strike or violation instigated against a system, computer, network, or website by a cybercriminal. Cybercriminals launch attacks to steal data, disable networks, or disrupt and halt operations. Cybercriminals use several technologies to launch their attacks. Common cyber-attacks are hacking, malware, Denial of Service, Zero-day exploit, etc.
Statistics showed that cyberattacks launched since the Russia-Ukraine conflict increased by 196%. This cyberattack affected the Ukrainian government and its military. Likewise, cyberattacks launched on Russian businesses rose by 4%. These cyberattacks are not limited to these countries, and there are many more.
How to Protect yourself from Cyberattacks through Privacy Compliance
Imagine leaving your door unlocked because you think the government or security agents are responsible for your safety. That’d be unwise, right? Even though companies have to follow privacy rules, know that your safety starts with you.
Let’s outline ways you can protect yourself from cyberattacks by complying with privacy regulations as a user.
1. Be Selective
Our email inboxes house numerous sensitive information prone to theft if hijacked by cybercriminals or the government. Hence, users should click links in emails selectively.
It would be best to refrain from clicking links from unknown or non-trusted sources. Clicking those links could lead you to fall victim to phishing, financial fraud, hacking, etc.
2. Drop the Cookies
Cookies can be enticing. As it is, some website owners might withhold you from accessing their content without accepting their cookies. They do not give the option to decline.
However, before you accept a cookie, be sure that the website is safe and trust the website. Websites use cookies to store your personal information and trace your browsing activities. Do not accept all cookies to avoid exposure to threats, risks, and loss.
3. Check Websites
At times, you could be in haste to get a piece of information from the internet. It could land you on an unsafe website. Once you find yourself on a vulnerable website, exit without delay.
To add to this, check for the padlock icon, which depicts an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. An SSL certificate portrays a website as safe. It also shows that it has an encrypted connection.
An SSL-secured website is safe to transact on and share personal information like names, addresses, credit card numbers, passwords, etc.
4. Don’t Overshare
You could feel tempted to share excess information online, especially while on social media. Whenever you think this, consider the possible aftermaths. Sharing extra information about you online will not make people know you better. It will only expose you to threats.
For example, information like your most-loved city or first school attended is a great way to guess your security questions & answers or passwords. So, limit what you share, and don’t forget to create strong passwords.
5. Browse Privately
The private browsing feature does not entirely keep your privacy. Nevertheless, using the private mode on your browser keeps you from websites that want to monitor you with cookies. It also doesn’t keep a history of the files you download from the internet.
6. Use an Antivirus Software
An antivirus software finds and removes viruses from computer systems. Examples of antivirus software are; Kaspersky, BitDefender, and Norton. So, download and activate any of them on your computer.
This software makes you non-susceptible to hack because it will protect your personal information. To enjoy the maximum benefits of this software, update it regularly. Outdated software could expose your data to threats.
As established earlier, users need to ensure their safety online by complying with privacy regulations, just as companies do. Compliance with these safety tips and laws guarantees data protection.
Numerous companies comply with these rules and show their customers how to do the same. One of these prestigious companies is Zendata. Connect with us today, and let’s get started with your data protection and adjustment.