With the holiday season and Christmas just around the corner, the internet has become a hot target for Christmas crooks, eagerly waiting to steal people’s identities and jeopardizing their privacy online.
Your digital privacy is of immense importance, not just to you but for evil individuals too since they can potentially sell your information or abuse it to earn an easy buck.
Ever Increasing Christmas Safety Risks
With the advancements in technology and the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT), our very homes are adorned with advanced tech gadgets including appliances, children’s toys, Wi-Fi built-in TVs, remote controlled lights, and other home accessories.
The very tools used to make our lives easier could make us fall victim to cyber attacks. Numerous gadgets include.
Source: Cabot Solutions
A recent study estimated that by 2020 there would be over 21 billion IoT connected devices. That begs the question: if this technology is designed to make our lives easier, why doesn’t it secure our privacy? Now, in theory, it most definitely should. However, in reality, that’s not the case.
When you buy tech, it has a default password or none at all. Moreover, the devices can get easily hacked through unsecured home Wi-Fi networks.
The advancements in tech and IoT have made cyber criminals progress as well. Hackers employ ingenious tools that can easily extract user information, highlighting the importance of the use of secure tools to supplement your online privacy.
Be Cautious of Malware
With so much already going on during the Christmas season, we hardly have time to go through the terms and conditions of a product, which escalates the risk of your smart devices being affected by malware and used as a spyware without your knowledge.
Source: Quora
Moreover, not all smart devices are ‘smart’ and normally have weak security standards.
Just recently, cheaply produced cameras, Christmas toy gadgets, high-tech Christmas toys, baby monitors and other devices were found to be the main culprits behind a major DDoS attack that took down leading websites such as Netflix, Twitter, and PayPal amongst various others. Such cases have long existed and are increasing day by day.
Security Tips During Christmas to Stay Safe Online
Here are some security tips to help remain safe during Christmas, while you shop or browse the web:
- Secure your wireless router by setting a strong alphanumeric password on it (one that cannot be easily guessed).
- Make sure to have a firewall running on your devices, especially your router.
- Use strong passwords on your internet accounts.
- Update your operating software. Updates carry essential blockades and affix potential loopholes.
- Employ the use of encryption technologies on your wireless router, for example, WPA2. To further strengthen the network and your online anonymity, use a VPN.
- A VPN will afford you the ability to be completely anonymous online by routing your IP to a different location. Moreover, you can bypass geo-restrictions and avail discounts from other regions.
A VPN uses robust encryption technologies along with internet protocols that enhance your online presence, keeping you safe from hackers and cyber criminals.
Recently, Kaspersky Labs’ David Emm said: “They’re in business because they can make use of our data.” This clearly means that apart from implementing the utilization of a VPN, one must be careful about the information they share online.
Be mindful of the information you share with others online. Have a happy Christmas and a safe new year!
PureVPN
November 24, 2022
4 years ago
