4 tips for a cybersecure end of year
During this Christmas period, we’ll be spending even more time online than usual. Both for buying gifts and for staying in touch with loved ones. Unfortunately, any increase in online activity also attracts the fraudsters. Here are four tips for a totally cybersecure end to the year.
Use strong, unique passwords for your important accounts
Make sure you always use strong passwords for accounts that contain sensitive data, as well as for your mailbox. This is because you use your e-mail address when you connect to other websites. So, if hackers are able to break into your mailbox, they can also easily access your other accounts.
Not sure how to create strong passwords? We suggest you invent your own password, made up of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as punctuation marks and numbers. Or else you can use a digital safe that creates passwords for you and keeps them safely and securely. Test Achats has tested a number of these password managers.
Activate two-step verification
To add even more protection to your e-mail account, you can activate two-step verification (also called 2FA or two-factor authentication). This means that in addition to your password, you also log in using a code that is sent to you on your smartphone. As a result, any intruder will not be able to rely on using just your password to hack into your account. Here’s how to activate this dual protection for your Google and Microsoft accounts.
Protect your devices and your data
Install an antivirus program on your computer and keep it up to date to deter viruses and other malware. The Test Achats antivirus comparison feature can help you to choose a good program.
Updates are also important to ensure the security of the operating system, software and applications on your computer and mobile devices. So always install them as soon as they become available.
To avoid losing data and important files through theft or ransomware, you should always keep backup copies. Find out how to make backups, both on your computer and on your smartphone, in the backups dossier designed by the experts at Test Achats.
Buy online with total security
It’s easy to buy things online, but before you go to the checkout with your shopping basket, you need to check a few things, such as the total cost and the return conditions and warranty terms. And make sure you’re in a bona fide online store.
When it comes to paying, use a secure payment method, such as a credit card or PayPal. Also make sure that the payment page is secure (https) and never make a purchase via a public WiFi network (i.e. one that is not secure).
You’ll find other tips for buying online securely in this complete dossier.