If you’re sharing your personal information online without any safety or security, then you might become the next victim of cybercrime. As technology advances, so do the methods hackers use to gain access to your data.

If you're not staying ahead of the curve, you're at risk for a cyber attack because hackers are always in search of new ways to steal information, and if you're not prepared, they can easily gain access to your confidential data. 

To stay ahead of hackers, you need to be aware of the latest scams, schemes, and techniques they use. In this blog post, we will discuss seven tips that you can follow to stay ahead of hackers and protect yourself online.

7 Ways To Stay Ahead Of Hackers

There are some known ways to stay ahead of hackers/cybercriminals:

1. Use Strong Passwords

A password that is at least eight characters long and has a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, digits, and symbols is considered strong. For example, @2HotPeetzas#7 such passwords are difficult to crack. You should never use easily guessed words like your name, birth date, or hometown in your passwords.

Never use the same password at more than one site. In the event that a hacker acquires your password, they will test it on other websites to determine if it functions. You can also use a password manager. A password manager is software that helps you create and store strong passwords. 

It can also generate codes for 2FA and fill in online forms automatically. Never use the same password at more than one site. In the event that a hacker acquires your password, they will test it on other websites to determine if it functions. 

2. Two-factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that can be used to protect your accounts. With 2FA turned on, you will need to enter both your password and a code sent to your phone to log into your account. 

Even if hackers know your password, it will be considerably more difficult for them to access your account as a result. 

3. Keep Your Software Up to Date

One of the best ways to protect yourself from cybercrime is to ensure all your software is up to date. Most software updates include security patches that fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. 

Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain access to your computer or steal your data. So, it's important to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they are available. 

4. Be Aware Of What Links You Click On

When you receive an email with a link, especially from an unknown sender, please do not click on it. Often, these links are malicious and can install malware on your computer or mobile device. 

If you are unsure about a link, you can hover over it with your mouse to see where it would take you if you clicked on it. If the link looks suspicious, do not click on it. Keep in mind that legitimate companies send emails that use your first and last name for personal salutation. Hence, the email is spam if the salutation is addressed to a vague "Valued Customer."

5. Back-Up Your Data Regularly

Another way to protect yourself from cybercrime is to regularly back up your data. This way, if your computer or mobile device is ever attacked by ransomware, you can restore your data from the backup and won't have to pay the ransom.

You should back up your data to an external hard drive or a cloud-based storage service.

6. Be Careful When Using Public Wi-Fi

When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you open yourself up to potential cyber-attacks. Hackers can set up fake public Wi-Fi networks and use them to steal people's passwords and other sensitive information.

So, it's important to be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks. Only connect to networks you trust, and avoid entering sensitive information (such as your password) while connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

7. Do Not Provide Your Personal Information Online Unnecessarily

It would be best if you were careful about what personal information you share online. Criminals can collect this information to commit identity theft or fraud. So, only provide your personal information to websites that you trust, and be sure to check the privacy policy of any website before providing your information.

If you are using someone else's computer, always use incognito mode when browsing the internet. This will prevent your browsing history and passwords from being saved on the computer.

Wrapping Up

Taking care of your privacy online can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. PrivacyHawk is a personal privacy manager that helps individual consumers protect their personal information from being exposed, sold, or exploited by corporations, scammers, and hackers.

With PrivacyHawk, you can take control of your personal information and keep it safe from prying eyes. So why wait? Sign up for PrivacyHawk today and take back your right to privacy.