Tutorial: Tips to increase your protection and avoid being a victim of hackers

Many people wonder what they can do to increase their online protection and prevent your devices from being hacked and that your information is stolen by cyber criminals. The truth is that it is not always possible to do something, as was the case with all the controversy with Facebook. Criminals took advantage of a breach in the app's security to access users' accounts, and there wasn't much these users could do to prevent this from happening.

But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to avoid getting hacked. There is, like make life difficult for hackers and that's what this guide will show you. There are two types of attacks, those that come from security breaches of third-party applications that we need to trust to maintain our daily lives, and those that can be avoided with just a few simple security steps.

Constant update

This is a basic tip for anyone who wants to always stay safe: update. This means that you should always have the latest version of any operating system you use, as well as applications and the firmware your router, on all connected devices and any other device you use to connect to the internet.

Regarding the computer's operating system, it is not necessary to always use the newest version of the system. For example, on Windows, you don't necessarily need to use Windows 10, but if you use Windows 8, it's important to use the most up-to-date version of Windows 8. It's just not worth using versions that don't have more updates, as is the case with Windows XP.

That's because many attacks happen through systems that are old and therefore with more accessible holes. Whenever you update one of these systems, you are increasing and renewing their security, so it becomes much more difficult for hackers.

secure passwords

Another basic tip is do not repeat passwords on various services. But a lot of people still do this because, of course, it's hard to memorize so many passwords at once. For that, there are password manager apps, and even browser extensions. With them, all your passwords will be safe in one place and you will only need to remember the password to access them.

A tip for strong passwords is to forget capital letters, numbers and symbols and use a random combination of words. You might be wondering if it's not more dangerous to keep all your passwords in the same place instead of just a few in your mind, but the truth is, it's not. The chance of repeated passwords being discovered is much higher than that of your password manager being hacked.

The idea of ​​constantly changing passwords on services is also not welcome, because studies show that people who are forced to constantly change passwords choose passwords that are increasingly easier to be guessed.

Two-step authentication

But no matter how good your password is, an overriding recommendation is always use two-step authentication to increase protection. Nowadays, many services and applications offer this option that guarantees security by requiring not only a password, but a second form of authentication that can be, for example, a code sent by SMS.

However, the tip is always to avoid using this type of second authentication. Codes sent by SMS can be more easily intercepted by hackers, that can clone your cell phone number. So whenever possible choose another option, such as an authenticator application like Google Authenticator, DUO Mobile and Authy.

What to do and what not to do

Don't use Flash: You may have noticed that newer versions of some major browsers no longer support Flash. That's because he's full of gaps that make an attack easier. Fortunately, nowadays it is no longer necessary for you to have a complete internet browsing experience.

Use antivirus: This is more of a basic but important tip. Those who use Windows 10 already have Defender, but it is still advisable to have a third-party antivirus to ensure security. Macs aren't usually attacked by malware a lot, but it can happen, so it won't hurt to have one.

Use ad blockers (adblock): Too many hackers use advertisements to guide the user to malicious websites, so these blockers are quite useful in securing your system. What's more, they make the navigation, in addition to safer, much cleaner.

Use VPN: The VPN (VInternet Private Network) works as a secure channel between your computer and the internet, thus adding layers of security between them. This tip is especially important when you are using internet from public places or that many people use as a coffee shop, or a hotel.

Do not spread personal information: with social media nowadays it is much easier to find someone sharing personal information on these platforms. A very important care is not to share images of your credit card or an airline ticket, for example.

Do not open attachments without confirmation: many hackers use malicious programs hidden in Word or PDF documents, among others. If you don't know who sent you the email, if you didn't have confirmation and weren't expecting it, don't open it. If you want to take a chance, a tip is to save the file in Google Drive and open it within Drive, so it's safer because Google will be opening it and not your computer.

Protection also on the smartphone

Although many people believe that smartphones cannot be hacked or receive viruses, this is a myth. There are already some basic precautions to prevent this from happening. It is important to remember that in relation to the operating system, the iOS is still safer than Android. That's because Apple's system is extremely closed and has extensive security measures.

But for those who already have an Android or simply prefer Google's operating system, it's not a problem. However, some care needs to be taken. The first is always to put a password or pattern to unlock the smartphone. The most suitable is a password of at least 7 digits. The good news is that nowadays many models already come with a fingerprint sensor or even scanner face to it, which makes them safer.

Another care is with the applications. Always prefer apps from the Play Store, and still, always check the reviews on each one. Search the internet for important information and check if the developer is correct. That's because even the official Google store can be tricked by malicious apps, even if it's harder.

And finally, install an anti virus for mobile devices. A lot of people end up not giving value to these applications, but they can prevent malwares invade your device.