Do not change passwords and trust Wi-Fi in cafes. 7 mistakes that are dangerous to make on the Internet
Miscellaneous / / February 22, 2022
1. Use one password for all accounts
Incredibly, the most popular passwords are still remainTop 200 most common passwords / NordPass 123456 and qwerty. It would take attackers less than a second to crack them. Therefore, it is important to come up with complex passwords of length not lessTop 200 most common passwords / NordPass 12 characters containing letters, numbers and symbols.
Don't use the same password for all services. Having picked up the password to one of them, scammers will immediately gain access to others. For example, they will get to the account to which you have linked a bank card.
Learning by heart many passwords is difficult. Keeping their list on paper or in a file on a computer is also not an option - someone can access it. A password manager is a program that creates and stores secure combinations of numbers and letters. To log in, you will only need to remember one master password. You don't have to worry about someone intercepting information: most password managers use encryption to protect user data. Some programs have additional features. For example, they can alert you when your page has been hacked or protect against phishing attacks.
2. Disregard two-factor authentication
Even a complex password can sometimes be cracked. Therefore, in social networks, instant messengers and mail, you need to enable two-factor authentication. One more step will be added to the usual login with a username and password. For example, you will need to enter the code that came in an SMS or push notification. Even if someone else gets hold of the password, they will need your phone to enter all the data.
You can also use a separate application for two-factor authentication, for example, Google Authenticator or Yandex. Key. It will generate a new one-time code each time you enter your mail or social network. Install the program on your phone and select two-factor authentication using the application in the service settings. When you enter the site, a QR code will appear. Scan it in the app and wait for it to generate a new authentication code. Password managers are considered more secure than SMS because the message can be intercepted by a Trojan on the phone.
3. Opt out of antivirus
If you neglect protection, you can easily become a victim of malware. For example, when entering passwords and bank details, the virus will intercept them and transfer them to attackers. And you won’t even notice, because it will work in the background. Antivirus will help you find and remove malware, while it will not "load" the system and conflict with other useful services.
When choosing an antivirus, pay attention to additional features. As a rule, modern programs not only check suspicious files, but also offer comprehensive protection. They will help prevent hacker attacks, get rid of spam, or set parental access control to sites. In addition, the flexibility of settings is important for the antivirus: in order not to overload the computer, you can simply disable unnecessary functions.
New malware appears every day, so it's important to install a quality antivirus and update it regularly. Dr. Web Security Space provides reliable comprehensive protection against various types of threats: viruses, spyware, network worms, adware. Technologies Web allow you to detect fresh malware that is not yet in the virus databases. For example, a heuristic analyzer detects viruses by the characteristic features of the code. Dr. Web Security Space works on Windows, Linux and macOS, and additional protection for Android is included in the license. Antivirus settings are easy to manage, and if you have any questions, you can contact the 24/7 technical support.
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4. Start one email for all occasions
It seems that one box should be enough for registration on sites, subscriptions to mailing lists and business correspondence. But it's better to have multiple accounts for different purposes. For example, it is worth having a separate mail for storing confidential financial information. You will use it when logging into various banking applications. Another box is useful for correspondence. And the third account can be used to register on sites and online shopping.
This approach will prevent phishing attacks and identity theft. Even if attackers break into the mailbox with which you registered on the site, it will not be easy for them to take over your bank account. And spam often falls on public mail. When it becomes too much, you can simply delete the mailbox and create a new one without losing important information.
5. Trust public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi at an airport, coffee shop, or mall is convenient, but not always secure. The data you send and receive can be intercepted by someone else. The best option to protect yourself is not to use someone else's network. But if such a need arises, do not enter your social networks or mail and do not make purchases on the Internet: there is a risk that your account can be “hijacked”. Turn off the automatic Wi-Fi connection feature to prevent your phone from joining a rogue hotspot.
A public network must have an authorization page - you enter a phone number and receive a code. If the access point does not require a password, it is better not to use it. Behind the innocent "Airport_WiFi_Free" may be an attacker who wants to take over your personal data.
6. Follow unknown links and download obscure programs
Even if a friend sent the link, don't rush to open it - his account could have been hacked. It is better to call him or write to another social network and check if this is spam. If the message came from a store, check the website address. Often, scammers create fake pages whose addresses differ from the original resources by one character.
Downloading and installing programs from unknown sources is also not a good idea - as a result, you can "hook" a virus on your device. And in some cases, you won't have to download anything. For example, if you allowed the program to install applications from external sources on Android, a virus can enter your smartphone without your knowledge. You can check the access in the settings in the "Security" section.
To avoid infection, download programs only from the websites of their developers or use the official app store on your smartphone.
If a site is suspicious, before clicking on a link, check her with the help of Dr. Web is free for all users. And to save your data from viruses and other dangers, you should install Dr. Web Security Space. He imagines integrated network threat protection. The antivirus will block the entry of viruses and malware, as well as find and cure viruses that are already on the device. Antispam will block unwanted messages, and SpIDer Gate web antivirus will scan web pages and block phishing Internet resources.
Components Dr. Web Security Space prevent unauthorized camera and microphone recording and protect against hackers trying to break into your computer. There is also parental control, which will allow you to block the child's access to certain sites and limit the time of using the device.
Protect your data
7. Make purchases on unfamiliar sites
On the page of the online store, the address, phone number and details must be indicated. You can check the company on the website Federal Tax Service. Enter the TIN or OGRN of the company: if everything is in order with the registration, the search will return information about it. When placing an order, pay attention to what data the seller requests. If you need to attach a copy of your passport, indicate the mother's maiden name, then something is clearly wrong. Check that the page is using SSL encryption. This is usually indicated by the lock icon at the beginning of the address bar. SSL will not allow intercepting or replacing your personal data - login and password, bank card number, email address.
If you are making a purchase on a classifieds site, do not click on third-party links to place an order. Usually you can pay for the goods and delivery within the platform. If the seller sends a link, this is a scammer who is trying to lure you to a phishing site.
Disagree if someone offers to send your card details to make a payment for you. For payments on the Internet, it is advisable to have a separate card or electronic wallet. Transfer the required amount there right before buying.