Ever got your FaceBook or Gmail account hacked? If not, it's only a matter of time before it happens, with the increasing amount of data we share online and the type of people who have access to it
So how do you keep hackers away, and yet maintain our digital lifestyles? Here are three simple steps you can take to protect your money, credit card information, and privacy:
1) Learn to Recognize Phishing E-Mails
"Phishing" the the act of disguising emails and communications to make it appear as if it's coming from a reputable source. Most PayPal users are already bombarded with hundreds of fake emails that appear to be official PayPal ones.
But on closer inspection, these emails always bring you to a fake website in order to steal your PayPal login. Once the hacker has that, you can rest assured that your entire PayPal account will be drained to it's last penny.
Please don't click on the links in the email. Instead, type in the address directly in your browser and login that way.
2) Always Backup All Your Data
I've lost all my data once, and it was horrible. Not more than twelve months later, it happened all over again. Most people will never back up their data, and all it takes for them to lose everything is a hard disk failure.
Today you can easily get an external disk drive for less than $40.With that disk, you can make sure important data is regularly backed up in case your computer crashes. You can also find a lot of programs online that allow you to backup data to an online server.
Whichever method you use, backup regularly.
3) Never Use The Same Password for Everything
If you're using the same password to access everything online, you're making a big mistake. All a hacker need to do is find out that "universal" password, and he'll have access to all you personal data.
You need to create a unique password for everything. That way, even if a hacker gets into your email for example, he still cannot get access to your online banking system just by guessing your password.
It's always better to use a password manager software, and create a unique password for each online service you use. A good password manager will help you store all your passwords securely, and give you access via different computers and even your mobile phone.
There you go - three simple steps that will ensure your online safety, and the safety of your loved ones.
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