Tips for protecting your personal data online

Tips for protecting your personal data online

With the convenience of visiting websites on the Internet nowadays, putting in your personal details onto the websites has become trickier as compared to decades ago. For example, you can easily find many properties on Singapore property websites to look for a house that suits your needs and budget by just subscribing to their newsletters. By keying in your email or your personal details, you are risking getting your personal information leaked out as there are cyber criminals all around the world that can easily hack into a website’s database. The information gained such as names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, house address and etcetera will then be used for their own interests. This article will guide you through some tips to protect your personal data online.

1. Avoid password that is easy to guess

First of all, you should avoid having a password that is easily guessed. Avoid having a weak and short password that could easily be found from the dictionary. Having a weak and easily guessed password is definitely a no-no as it makes it easier for cyber criminal to figure out your password by using some softwares. For example, you should avoid password like 123456, 123123, password, abc123, iloveyou and etcetera. 

1. Get crazy with your passwords

It is advised by cybersecurity experts to use a complex password to secure your online accounts. Use a strong and unique password that is made up by at least 12 to 14 characters, with a combination of lower and upper case, numbers and symbols like ‘@’, ‘#’, ‘$’ and ‘%’. In addition, your passwords should be changed regularly for security purpose.

1. One account, one password

One of the common mistakes that most people have is that they use the exact same password for all the accounts. This is dangerous as hackers can easily guess your password to log in to all your available accounts. It is even more risky if your account is directly linked to any payment methods and this will allow the hacker to easily steal your money. Hence, it is important to have different passwords for different accounts. 

Try the password managers if you have trouble remembering many passwords for different accounts that you have. The strong password will then be able to be used for several accounts that you have.

1. Do not reveal your pet’s name online

Sharing your personal details online will make the hacker’s life easier. With the information shared publicly online, the hacker can use the information to guess a security question, such as pet’s name. The will then be able to reset the victim’s password.

Users that use personal details as passwords such as their birthday or pet’s name should be alert that these information could be easily found online. 

The hacker expert will also use a consumer’s data to create targeted e-mails to trick victim into giving more personal information. For example, hacker could send an e-mail to the victim to trick the victim into clicking the link. The victim will then be sent to some malicious website that will automatically download malware in the victim’s computer. This malware will then sent the hacker many personal information regarding the victim.

1. Be cautious with the information you share online

Be selective with the information that you share online. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Avoid sharing your credit card details on any retail, social network and commerce websites. You should also not share these details for any new sign ups for any online accounts. Do not share any personal information on mailing list of public forum as well.

1. How to figure an email is bogus

If the e-mail looks dodgy or strange, it is most probably that the e-mail is illegitimate. Do not open any links or attachments from the e-mail.

1. What to do with bogus emails

If you receive any unidentified e-mails, do not reply to the e-mail. Replying the e-mail will allow the hacker to know that the e-mail address is actively used and they will send more spam mails to you.If you receive any e-mails that look like it is from bank or retailer, you can call up the bank or retailer to double check, although dialing the numbers from suspicious e-mail should be avoided. 

Other than dodgy e-mail address, do look out for spelling mistakes and bad grammar to identify if the e-mail is genuine.

1. How to tell if links and websites are legitimate

If the website address contains a string of suspicious number, it is most likely a bogus link. In addition, legitimate websites tend to contain “https” for their web addresses instead of “http”.

1. What should you do when a website has been hacked

If a consumer suspect that the account he owns has been hacked and his personal data are stoelen, he should immediately change his password. As mentioned above, the password should be strong and complex to avoid getting hacked by hacker.

1. Closing an account does not mean it is the end

Some people might close down an account after a hack incident to protect themselves. However, closing down the account is not the end as the data night still be stored elsewhere. Do check the website policies before signing up for a new account. 

In conclusion, practice safe measures to prevent having your personal data stolen. It only makes sense to be smart about how and when you share the information on the websites. After all, prevention is always better than cure.

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