Taking cyber safety seriously? 5 unintentional mistakes you could be making

From video calls to virtual events to contactless payments to online shopping more than ever before, the pandemic has spurred a greater dependence on technology. But with increased dependence comes increased risks. As we adapt to the new normal, it is important to not only understand the threats we could be exposed to in the digital world but also ensure that we take proactive measures to secure our personal and professional data.

Some cybersecurity mistakes you could be unintentionally making:

Not using a virtual private network - In this age of digitization, data and personally identifiable information are of great value to cybercriminals, as they can be sold to data brokers while doing any type of advertising or marketing. A VPN – short for virtual private network – provides a more secure link between employees and businesses by encrypting data. It helps in keeping the information exchange secure and out of the reach of cybercriminals.


Using a public WiFi - According to the NortonLifeLock Digital Wellness Report, around 24% of the respondents used public Wi-Fi to access the internet. Using public Wi-Fi or an unsecured internet connection could leave your data vulnerable to eavesdroppers and hackers. Always use a wireless connection with security.

Leaving connected devices unarmed - Internet-connected devices such as streaming security cameras, light bulbs, and smart home products have in-built computers that store data. This means that they can also be vulnerable to security issues such as default passwords that are left unchanged since installation, or unsecured routers that protect these devices. Cybercriminals can easily bypass the poor security of these devices. The key to protecting privacy is learning how to properly set up and secure all internet-connected devices.

Being careless about personal information on social media - There are many risks that come with social accounts such as stalking, bullying, identity theft. Publicly broadcasting your location is not a safe thing to do. Be aware of online requests for personal information and delete all emails that do not come from a legitimate address. Users should also be vigilant about the kind of data they share online. There was a rise in the number of KYC frauds during the lockdown. The dark web holds all stolen data, and once your information is out there, it cannot be traced easily.

Not updating security and privacy settings - Not maintaining these settings can leave you vulnerable to phishing emails. A link that we thought only contained some news may lead us to a cyber threat that can do much more damage than just attacking our device. To avoid such vulnerabilities, keep your security and privacy settings up to date.