Don’t give much thought to your online security? Well, you should! When it comes to online hacks and data breaches, 2017 was a dismal year. Millions of people were affected worldwide and it’s these stats that should serve as a worthy reminder that computer and internet users should be a lot more vigilant.
This means ensuring that your online security is the very best that it can be.
Online security affects South Africans too!
It’s easy to think that hacks and data breaches only affect the rest of world as we have heard so much about big breaches overseas. These include the 2013 Target hack as well as the hack on Equifax and Yahoo.
Unfortunately, South African’s have also been affected by online crime.If you take the hack on Ster Kinekor, where 6 million accounts were hacked for example, you will quickly realise just how easy it is to fall victim to an unscrupulous hacker, even in South Africa.
Every time you go online, register for a service or enter your personal info and password, you put yourself at risk. If you have been complacent until now, now is the time to change.
Best Practice Online Security For All South Africans To Follow
Following good online security practice is the only way to ensure that you don’t fall prey to online crime. Below are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Don’t use the same password for all of your online accounts.
- Make your passwords complicated so that they cannot be easily guessed. Using your birthday or pets name, for example, is considered a weak password.
- Don’t save your passwords to your computer. If you need to, write them down in a diary or keep them in the safe.
- Avoid keeping copies of your identity documents on your computer and if you can help it, don’t email these to anyone (their computer might not be secure). If you need to keep copies of important / sensitive documents, make sure that you back them up to a secure, encrypted and off site location. Check out our backup packages at Soteria Cloud.
- Check the haveibeenpwned.com website to check if your email address used for various websites has been hacked.
Let Soteria Cloud Help Protect Your Identity & Private Information
In your quest to improve on your online security, take the time to consult with our team at Soteria Cloud. We can assist you with safe and secure, encrypted online backup to help safeguard your sensitive data, as well as provide you with helpful tips and advice for safe and responsible online activities.