In this post, I will show you 7 actionable steps to prevent and control cybercrimes.
Cybercrimes are criminal activities that are initiated or advanced via computing and networking platforms, including desktop and mobile devices, database servers, and Wi-Fi routers.
Besides, cybercriminals perform these crimes to bully an individual or group, hurt the sentiments of a community, fund terrorism, steal money, leak sensitive information, impersonate identities or propel any other illegal or unethical activities.
Common cyber crimes include phishing attacks, hacking social media accounts, DoS attacks, dating scams, spamming, cyberbullying, identity thefts, credit card frauds, and web jacking.
While there is no ultimate solution to these crimes unless there is 100% net neutrality and privacy in the digital world, you can take these 7 effective measures to ensure a safe online experience.
READ ALSO: Popular Types Of Cybercrimes
Table of Contents
7 Steps to Prevent And Control Cybercrimes
Enable 2 Factor Authentication
2 Factor Authentication is one of the highest standards of cybersecurity. While it comes built-in with many social media accounts, payment platforms, apps, and software programs, you can use a third-party 2FA provider for platforms that don’t have this feature. Also, some platforms do have 2Factor Authentication options including fingerprint passcodes but you may have to enable them manually.
READ ALSO: Is Windows Defender Enough for 2024?
2. Use a Secure Browser
While a popular user-friendly browser does give you convenience, it might not guarantee security and privacy. Use a secure browser, like Mozilla Firefox, that’s built on open-source technology, allows private windows, does not process, forward, or sell user data, and does not have an ads program. Secure browsers necessarily support DoH and encrypt search queries so that no cyberattacker can sniff the data packets you exchange through your server. When hackers can’t decode your online queries, there is a lesser chance of your accounts and devices being hacked.
3. Manage Internet Cookies
Internet cookies are small data packets your browser exchanges with websites you visit. There are different types of cookies and they have separate functions aiming towards one goal: providing a personalized and seamless online experience to the website visitor. There are, however, zombie and third-party cookies that can threaten your online security and introduce malware on your device.
To keep your digital fingerprints secure, regularly clear internet cookies from your browser. Do not delete all cookies since doing so might make it difficult for you to navigate certain websites. It is highly advisable to only accept cookies from secure websites only, ideally after reading their cookies and data collection policies.
READ ALSO: How To Hack A Smartphone With Xnspy App
4. Install an Antivirus Program
A critical step to prevent and control cybercrimes is to install an antivirus program.
Malicious redirects and spam advertisements are the biggest sources of cybercrimes. While you can’t get rid of all sorts of malware without a VPN, you can ensure device-level security against viruses by installing a strong antivirus program that examines wireless networks before connections and scans apps before you download or install them on your device.
Before you commit to a paid antivirus program, which is highly recommended if you prioritize safety over money, make sure to check the following factors:
- It should not crash and continue working with a VPN client running in the background.
- It should generate reports about apps that drain the battery and consume excessive data.
- It should signal a user about any potential data leakages or breaches beforehand.
5. Download a VPN
All internet users need 2 layers of protection to be 100% secure online. While antivirus programs provide the first layer (device-level security), a trusted VPN, like iProVPN, can protect your IP Address and guarantee network-level security for you, your family and your devices.
A VPN service hides your IP Address so that nobody including your internet service provider can monitor your online activities. When they can’t track you, they fail at creating your digital fingerprint, which is mandatory to access your devices and network. A VPN client can help you:
- prevent ISPs, cybercriminals, and hackers from accessing your sensitive information like the credit card number.
- protect all internet traffic you exchange via your network device.
- block ads that can otherwise introduce malware.
- bypass geo-restrictions and censorship on streaming and gaming platforms.
- protect your online activities without going incognito.
6. Encrypt your Emails
If your emails are not encrypted, cyber attackers and data miners can make supreme efforts and read your emails either in transit or in the recipient’s mailbox. To keep internet security and privacy intact, digital experts recommend 2 strong measures:
- Use a secure email service provider like ProtonMail or Tutanota. These platforms are built on open source technology and allow end-to-end encrypted email procedures. Their servers are based outside of the USA and so they are not bound to log or share users’ private information. To add to their standards of security, these email providers have compliance certificates on their official websites, they don’t collect personal information during the sign-up process and provide secure file sharing options.
- If you want to continue using popular services like Gmail, make sure all your emails are encrypted. Examine the security checklist provided by Gmail, set high-standard spam filters, regularly clear the junk folder, enable self-destructing emails and use 2Factor Authentication.
READ ALSO: How to Detect Fake Social Media Profiles
7. Set a Complex Network Security Key
Network Security Key is a Wi-Fi password that prevents unauthorized access to a wireless network. Its highest standard is WPA2, built on AES 256-bit encryption technology. If a hacker can duplicate your network security key, he can make drastic misuse of your online behavior.
To prevent cyber crimes such as data leaks and confidentiality breaches, I recommend all users to set a complex network security key based on a string of random alphanumeric and special characters.
Wrapping Things Up…
There you go! 7 actionable steps to prevent and control cybercrimes.
Online freedom and digital security are your basic rights. Follow these 7 steps and keep your privacy and internet safety intact. Once active, these steps can really protect your overall online presence and safeguard you from popular cyber crimes.
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About the Author:
Daniel Segun is the Founder and CEO of SecureBlitz Cybersecurity Media, with a background in Computer Science and Digital Marketing. When not writing, he's probably busy designing graphics or developing websites.
