Browsing online is one of those everyday acts you do that you probably don’t even think about. Any time you feel like looking up a topic, you browse. Any time you need to do your online banking or shop for shoes, you browse again.
But your browsing habits shouldn’t be an afterthought, according to cyber security experts. And the big reason for this is that you can unknowingly be making yourself vulnerable to hackers and computer viruses with every wrong browsing move you make. According to tech security experts, these browsing mistakes practically guarantee a computer virus.
Clicking on suspicious links
Phishing scams and malicious links can quickly lead to a virus or malware infection, says Tech Expert Jared Floyd, founder at Ajax Creative. “Always be wary of links that seem too good to be true or are from unknown sources,” Floyd says.
Ignoring software updates
“Software updates are essential in fixing security vulnerabilities and preventing hackers from exploiting them,” Floyd says. “Ignoring them leaves your computer open to attack.”
Downloading from untrusted sources
Downloading software or files from untrusted sources can lead to malware infection — “Always download from trusted websites and sources,” Floyd reminds us.
Using weak passwords
As if you need yet another reminder: using your birthday, or some combination of your address, is a bad idea when constructing a password. “Weak passwords are an easy target for hackers,” Floyd says,. “Use complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.”
Not using antivirus software
“Antivirus software can detect and prevent viruses and malware from infecting your computer,” Floyd says. Put simply: not using it leaves your computer vulnerable to attack.
Ways To Boost Your Browsing Security
Cyber attacks can be difficult to detect precisely because they resemble everyday bugs, errors, and scams, warns Tech Security Expert Sean O’Brien, a Visiting Lecturer in Cybersecurity at Yale Law School. “Cyber criminals often use emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources to trick users into giving up sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card information,” O’Brien says. “These phishing messages are detectable, if you know what the signs are — such as bad spelling, phony email addresses, dodgy domain names, and links to executable files and PDFs.”
If you’re experiencing unusual or suspicious activity in your operating system or web browser, that may also be a sign of an attack, O’Brien warns: “This can include pop-up messages, changes to computer settings, and unexpected files or programs on the computer, such as screenshots suddenly appearing on your desktop. Criminals have been known to use malware that logs keystrokes and takes intermittent screenshots which can be exfiltrated from the computer later on.”
Here are five tips O’Brien recommends for protecting yourself against cyber attacks:
** Keeping software up to date — “Regularly updating operating systems and software can help prevent cyber attacks by patching known vulnerabilities,” O’Brien says.
** Using strong passwords — Strong passwords that are unique and complex can help prevent unauthorized access to online accounts, O’Brien says.
** Being cautious with email and messages — “Users should be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links in messages, particularly if they are from unknown sources,” O’Brien says.
** Installing antivirus software — Antivirus software can help detect and remove malware infections — so it’s important to make use of.
** Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) — And, finally, perhaps one of the most important security measures you can take, according to O’Brien: “2FA provides an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of identification, such as a code from an ‘authenticator’ app on a smartphone, in addition to a password.”
