How to Improve Your Cybersecurity

Keep Your Apps up to Date

Many cyberattacks happen due to outdated software. Whether it’s a Windows machine without the latest security updates, or a simple browser plugin, it’s a vulnerability that can become an entry point for hackers. That is why software developers are always on the lookout for any issues within their apps and constantly issuing patches. Downloading the latest version of your apps regularly will help prevent most common hacks in circulation.

Granted, it takes a lot of time to check everything, but luckily most applications today can run automatic updates in the background. Operating systems already have their own updaters, as do most big-name apps, so take some time to familiarize yourself with how your apps update and, if needed, make a checklist of those you need to take care of manually.

Use Strong Passwords

Everything is password-protected these days, which often makes us recycle credentials, weakening our overall protection. We’ll remember those passwords without a problem, but they’re usually easy to guess, bruteforce, or get from a leak. Using longer phrases, avoiding any personally identifiable information, and combining random letters and numbers is a great way to strengthen your password.

Hackers often probe various services with the email and password combos they get from data breaches and leaks. Therefore, avoid repeating your passwords, especially in combination with the same email or username; if a service you use gets breached, only that particular account will be at risk.

Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication for your most important accounts and crypto wallet is an excellent extra layer of security around those accounts. Even if some data leaks, nobody but you can use the login information for access.

Switch to a Cold Wallet

As crypto users know, the convenience of a digital crypto wallet comes at a price: Its constant accessibility makes it much more vulnerable to attacks. On the other hand, transferring your funds to a “cold” wallet will massively improve your cybersecurity. You’ll be moving away from an always-online device and onto one that’s only ever connected to the internet or using your private key when you press a physical button. Manufacturers specialized in crypto wallets have proliferated drastically, so they have become very affordable - well worth the level of security they bring into your digital life.

While we’re talking wallets, another popular cryptocurrency enthusiast safety method is multi-walleting. This basically means splitting your portfolio across several wallets, using only one for day-to-day trading, while others work as backups. After all, there’s no limit to the number of wallets you can use, so long as you can afford them.

Connect via VPN

All websites use our private data to shove ads down our throats: There’s even a saying that “if a service is free, you are the product,” meaning that companies look at internet users as piles of data ready for harvesting and selling to the highest bidder. Our ISPs can spy on us, for example, throttling traffic if we spend “too much time” on Netflix. That’s why it’s recommended to use a VPN.

However, not all VPNs are created equal: Look for apps with valid no-log policies, located in countries outside the reach of the Five, Nina, and Fourteen Eyes Alliances, like Switzerland and Romania, and browser extensions to prevent WebRTC leaks. A good VPN will not only improve your online privacy, but unlock a lot of services with geo-restrictions, too.

Regular Backups

Any cybersecurity expert worth their salt will tell you that you can’t have too many backups. Depending on what type of work you do and how many wallets you have, consider making daily backups. Many great tools, as well as several cloud hosting services, can encrypt the data you’ve stored if you don’t have available offline storage.