In the modern digital world, cybersecurity and privacy are two of the most vital concepts to understand. Learn about these two topics in this article.
Introduction
Cyberattacks New cyberattacks ramp up tensions with Russia are becoming more common. In 2017, the number of cyberattacks increased by a whopping 44% from the previous year.
In 2014, there were over 2 billion records that were stolen or compromised. That’s a record number, and it’s only going to rise in the future.
Cybersecurity is one of the greatest threats to modern society. It’s easy for malicious hackers to get access to sensitive data. It can be sold on the dark web or used to blackmail individuals. The possibilities are endless when it comes to how a hacker can use your data.
The US government considers cybersecurity and privacy to be two of their highest priorities. The government wants to implement a system that will protect private data. They also want to create new laws that will help to prevent cyber attacks. And they want to invest millions of dollars into cybersecurity research and development.
Cybersecurity and Privacy Importance
Do you decide not to take cybersecurity seriously? You could end up getting your identity stolen. Even getting blackmailed for something embarrassing that you said online.
As you can see, it’s very vital to understand what you can do. Especially to protect yourself from these attacks.
Let’s take a look at some specific examples of cases where cybersecurity is vital in daily life:
#1 You Work at a Company with Sensitive Information
Let’s say that your company has sensitive information. Like those stored on computers or in filing cabinets.
So, what if those computers or filing cabinets are not secure? Then there’s a chance that someone could steal this information. Also, use it against your company for financial gain.
#2 You Use Technology Daily
Technology is becoming more integrated into our lives every single day. We’re using technology for entertainment purposes. Also for communication, financial purposes, and we’re using technology for gaming purposes.
As you can see, technology is an integral part of our lives. That means we need to take steps to secure our technology. So that we don’t become victims of cyberattacks.
#3 You Use the Internet Daily
It’s hard to imagine life without the internet. We use it for our personal lives. Such as shopping online or researching health problems.
We also use it for our professional lives. Such as applying for jobs or doing research for work-related assignments. And we even use it for our financial lives. Such as banking online or doing transactions with cryptocurrency.
#4 You Send and Receive Emails
As you know, one of the easiest ways to become a victim of a cyberattack is to click on a malicious link in an email.
If you receive an email that looks like it’s from someone that you trust. But something seems off about the content of the email. Then don’t click on any links. Instead, open a new tab and type in the website address yourself.
#5 You Store Sensitive Information Online
Backing up your data is very important. But, it’s also very important to make sure that this data is encrypted.
What happens If you don’t take steps to encrypt your data? Then anyone can access that data by hacking into your cloud storage system.
#6 You Have an Online Presence
Having an online presence is essential if you want to do business online. However, having an online presence comes with certain risks. For example, your personal information can be stolen by hackers. As well as used to steal money from your bank account or credit cards.
#7 You Have Social Media Accounts
Do you have social media accounts? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Then you must take steps to secure this data.
Hackers can gain access to your profile and they can use it for various purposes. Such as sending spam messages or posting embarrassing things on your behalf.
Conclusion
As you can see, cybersecurity and privacy are two of the most vital concepts to understand.
These days, we’re constantly using technology and interacting with people online. That means it’s important for you to take steps to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
