Whether protecting your money or safeguarding your privacy, securing your Internet and mobile devices is a critical first step for both goals. Unfortunately, it isn’t as straightforward as we’d like. Once upon a time, robust passwords and a solid anti-viral program were sufficient for the task. Everyone needs extra help to protect themselves from cyberspace's many potential bad actors. While no plan is foolproof, especially since technology evolves at the speed of light, these tips will help protect those using the Internet and mobile devices.

Understanding the Risks

Identity thieves increasingly target individuals, impacting more people every year. In 2023, reports documented over five million cases, resulting in an estimated $10.2 billion in cybercrime losses. These crimes have real victims. In addition to identity theft, failing to secure your Internet and mobile devices places you at risk for other problems, including:

• Malware
• Phishing
• Password hijacking
• Smart home hacking
• Sensitive data distribution
• Ransomware attacks

You get the picture. There are many bad actors out there who could harm your reputation, your business, your professional image, and your financial well-being. They can accomplish their goals easily by using information they access through various attacks. Securing your Internet and mobile devices is your first step to protecting yourself.

Securing Your Internet Connection

Because there are so many potential adverse outcomes, it is critical to secure your Internet connection. You have many methods available to help secure your home Internet connection. The more of these practices you adopt, the more secure your network becomes:

• Update your router to a WPA2 or WPA3 router.
• Change the default settings for your router.
• Establish a strong password for your router – never use factory default passwords.
• Update your router’s software frequently.
• Establish a guest network with a simpler password and prohibit guests from having administrative privileges on your network.
• Use the router’s firewall (if your router comes equipped with one, you probably must elect to turn it on).

Small steps like these can make a big difference in your home’s Internet security. If you’re not taking advantage of the options available to you, you’re placing your network and all the computers and devices on that network at risk.

Protecting Your Mobile Devices

You must protect your mobile devices from both theft and hacking. Lock your phone and set up a PIN to unlock it. Many modern phones provide biometric unlocking tools for quick access. Additionally, install security apps from reputable sources, be cautious when granting app permissions, and avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Safe Online Transactions

One of the first things you want to look for when making online transactions is the presence of specific security indicators. There are two that you specifically want to see. One is the lock symbol to the immediate left of the web address in your browser. The other is the presence of an “https” at the beginning of the URL. The “S” at the end indicates that the website is encrypted, promising greater security from hackers.

Privacy Settings and Social Media

The next thing you want to do to protect yourself, your Internet connection, and your mobile devices is to limit your exposure by limiting the number of people with access to information detailed in your profile and posts. The fewer people who can see your posts, the fewer people who have access to that information. Keeping the circle small or limiting certain bits of information to people you know and trust in the real world is a significant first step.

Backing Up Your Data

Ransomware attacks are growing in frequency and severity. One of the best ways to combat that is to back up your data regularly. It means that even if bad actors do shut your system down, the amount of data they can prevent you from accessing is limited to the data you loaded during your last backup. Daily backups offer the most significant protection from these types of attacks.

If Your Device is Lost or Stolen

If you’re like most people, your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet holds the keys to the kingdom about you and your life. From phone numbers and contact information to banking information, email communications, business notes, and family photographs – it’s all there! If your phone gets stolen, the last thing you want is for bad actors to have access to the treasure trove of information your mobile devices hold.

If your device is lost or stolen, several actions can help secure your stored information. First, remotely lock your device. While some criminals might bypass the lock, it will delay them. Report the theft to the police immediately. If you can't recover your phone quickly or believe someone might access its information, think about remotely erasing it. This step might make your phone unusable, but it prevents unauthorized access to your data.

Keeping Informed

With the constant evolution of technology, there are new threats daily. Stay up to date with the latest news about cybercrimes in your community and for specific equipment and mobile devices. Then, act to make your devices and the Internet unattractive to the average hacker.

Takeaways

Cybercrime is on the rise and is costly to its victims. There are things you can do to protect yourself, however. The more steps you take to secure your Internet connection and mobile devices, the less risk you will face. While there are no guarantees, the more action you take to thwart these attackers, the less likely they will be successful.