In today’s digital world, it’s super important to be safe and fully aware of the behaviors that can put yourself at risk.
There are a lot of security features that exist today, which make it easier to keep yourself safe online. However, they can’t protect you from everything, which is why it’s smart to be aware of the little mistakes that can actually set you up for big-time fraud. Using information from tech and cybersecurity pros, we’re listing three ‘dangerous’ habits you should stop doing to keep yourself and your data safe.
1. Using Public Wi-Fi
If you’re someone who works remotely and likes travelling around or needs to work on the go a lot, there’s a good chance you’ve dabbled in your fair share of public Wi-Fi use. However, these networks are not always safe, which is why it’s best to use your own hotspot or work on your own Wi-Fi router when possible.
“When you connect to public Wi-Fi, you’re trusting that the provider of that Wi-Fi has taken the correct precautions to secure the network,” explains cybersecurity pro Aimee Simpson. “If they haven’t, malicious actors could intercept traffic and listen in on what you’re doing on your device (passwords, bank transfers, private sites for work, etc). It’s a risk that you shouldn’t take unless you’re absolutely confident in the security standard of the Wi-Fi you’re connecting to.”
2. Clicking On Links From Suspicious Senders
One of the most common scams people face in the tech world today is texts and emails that come from people posing as a bank, delivery service, insurance company, etc. The scammers tend to send ‘urgent’ messages along with links that can lead to a whole lot of trouble, which is why you should always check the contact or number to see if it’s legitimate before clicking on anything.
“They appear as real and let you know that you have a problem with your account or that you have a package,” explains tech expert Paul DeMott. “They make them urgent so that you go crazy and click on the link. The link directs to a fake website, which resembles your bank. When you type your login, they have captured it.”
3. Using The Same Login For Various Sites
These days, just about every website you use or make a purchase on will ask you to create an account with them. When you want to get this process over with, there’s a chance you’ll use the same username and password over and over again. You might not realize it, but that can actually be very risky.
“Every time you create an account and log in with the same password, you’re creating another opportunity for malicious actors,” adds Simpson. “If they manage to breach into one of these sites and find your username and password, the fact that you use it everywhere means they now have unbridled access to all of your devices and accounts.”
