The Internet is no longer a safe place. Whether you’re an individual or an enterprise, being aware of the best cybersecurity practices is the need of the hour in a world where 30,000 websites are hacked daily, a new attack is happening every 39 seconds, and 4,000 ransomware attacks are happening every day.
If this won’t make you concerned about cybersecurity, then nothing else will. But, does it mean we should stop using the internet?
Well, this is out of the question as our life is hugely based on the internet. Instead, one must stay aware of the cybersecurity trends and learn ways to do safe internet browsing.
Gladly, there are many ways to make it happen. All you need is expert assistance and guidance, which we are bringing to the table via this post.
Internet – The Boon that Turns into a bane in no time
When the internet came into being, no one thought that it would impact human life at such length. The internet does everything for us, starting from connecting us to the world to making everything possible in the virtual world.
However, one can’t deny that many unwanted and highly damaging dangers came along with the internet. For instance,
- You can be a victim of ransomware or virus attacks and end-up losing valuable digital assets.
- A phishing attack can drain out your bank balance in no time.
- In fact, this attack is so common that 90% of data breaches took place because of phishing only, confirms the Internet Crime Report
2022. - One can end up visiting a malicious website or application and lose all of your data.
One must be concerned about all these trends because the global expenses of data breaches were $4.24 million in 2021, and this figure is continuing to rise. Seeing all this, it’s not erroneous to say that the internet has slowly become a bane to boon, and one must be extra cautious while using it.
Top 10 Ways To Make the Internet A Safer Place To Be
Even though the internet has become a hub of endless hassles, humans can still conquer it and make its positive aspects work for them. Knowing the latest cybersecurity trends and learning safe internet browsing practices is what one requires to make this happen. Here is what can help on this front.
1. Use updated browsers, software, plugins, and other linked applications
Outdated versions of point-of-content with the internet are the best source via which a threat actor can break into one’s system and start endless havoc. It’s because outdated versions are easy to decode and manipulate. As their configuration details are already very familiar and well-known, it’s easy for cybercriminals to exploit them.
This is why updating the versions of tools like browsers, software, and applications is the first line of defense against cyber vulnerabilities. The best part is that one doesn’t have to spend a lot of money on these latest cybersecurity trends. In fact, most of the applications and software offer version updates free.
Other than a few Mb for downloading the versions, and a few minutes to complete and set up the version update, no other expenses are involved. All you need to do is not ignore the update notification and act immediately.
2. Use a synchronization-friendly browser
Having a browser that can synchronize all your accounts is one of the most widely adopted safe internet browsing. Such browsers trim down the dependency on the search engines and limit the exposure.
Also, it’s easy for end-users to sync the bookmarks on all the leading devices like tablets, smartphones, and laptops so that you enjoy a unified browsing experience while maintaining data integrity all across the devices.
3. Use a trusted VPN
VPN or Virtual Private Network is the one-stop solution for all your internet-related worries and hassles. With this tool, end-users can make the extra traffic safe and reduce the intrusion possibilities. It happens as VPN adds an added layer of encryption on the incoming/outgoing traffic, hides the actual IP address of the end-user, and makes the end-user connect with the server of another location.
With all these capabilities, it’s easy to keep the user data safe, ignore the internet’s vulnerabilities, and have a safe internet presence. It’s a proven fact that using the best VPN is a viable means to reduce cyber-attacks and protect data.
In the US, more than 70% of internet users have the backing of a VPN, as per Microsoft. But, the penetration of VPN is not that deep in developing countries, and it explains why there are more attacks in those regions.
4. Don’t hesitate to send a “do not track” request
Many of today’s cutting-edge browsers offer end-users the facility to command websites not to track their data. If they are unwilling to share their data and don’t want to get tracked, they can simply send a “do not track” request to the website.
The Internet is starting to respect end-user privacy and granting them more control over their data. Even applications also ask for the tracking locations and gain access to cameras, galleries, and other places. So, make most of these features and trim down access to your data.
5. Regularly clean the web browser cache and cookies
Get rid of unwanted cache and cookies. This is one of the most famous and latest trends in cybersecurity as it keeps ads and other applications having data access for a long time. You can do the job manually or automatically. Most of the modern-era browsers offer this facility.
6. Use anti-virus software
With this tool, you can get rid of the hassles involved in accessing blocked websites unknowingly, downloading corrupted software, visiting the blocked website, or even preventing a phishing attack. Trusted antivirus software keeps track of all the browsing activities and alerts you when a vulnerability is spotted. This early detection is very crucial for safe internet browsing seekers.
7. Stay aware of the digital keys and certificate
We know running an organization is an overwhelming job. But, that’s not an excuse to avoid critical aspects like digital keys. This is so common that according to Keyfactor’s 2020 Ponemon Report, 74% of organizations are unaware of the digital keys and used certificates. This gives an opportunity to threat actors to exploit these resources. So, it’s better to use software that can take care of all the digital keys, inform you about the update, and manage the access.
8. Block pop-ups
Pop-ups can divert you to malicious links or websites that are not good for your data health. The best way to stay tension-free is to use a pop-up blocker and ensure that you always visit a safe website.
9. Visit HTTPS URL
Websites with HTTPS URLs indicate that best website verification and authentication practices are adopted. Such websites are safe to use and are backed with SSL encryption. Being present on these websites will cause zero harm to your data.
10. Disable ‘auto-complete’ feature
One of the most underrated current cybersecurity trends is disabling the ‘auto-complete’ feature while filling any online form. With this simple step, you can prevent hijackers from stealing your credentials like personal details and login credentials.
Ending notes
We know the internet is becoming a bit more dangerous with each passing day. But, don’t lose hope as being aware of the best cybersecurity industry trends and implementing safe browsing tips will make it a safe place. All the above-mentioned tips and cybersecurity future trends are of great help. For detailed assistance, you can take the help of a cybersecurity expert.
