4 Big Cyber Security tips for everyday people

It is no longer the 1990s. Cyber security news will become more and more shocking. We ALL need to look after our own privacy and security. So what can we do? The most important thing is to THINK and not abdicate responsibility to others.

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Be savvy with basics

• Listen to information security people. They can help.
• Use UNIQUE, long, non-word passwords (The password you used everywhere in the 90s has been hacked and published)
• Think before you click a link or open an attachment.
• Think before connecting to an insecure wireless network. Do you really know who set it up?

Don't shout all your details to the world

• Use RFID protection in your 'old school' wallet.
• Use a quality, trustworthy, popular VPN (Virtual Private Network) (You have nothing to hide? You do have a right to some privacy)
• Use 2 factor authentication (not SMS based if possible)
• Delete unnecessary wireless networks from your devices and only turn on wireless when required.

Make conscious decisions about your privacy for the future because once data is out there you can't bring it back.

• Learn about ad blocking, anti tracking and browser fingerprinting.
• Do you really want to be logged on to Facebook and Google and followed all over the web all the time? You might, and that is fine. Just decide how much information you want to give away and do it knowing some of the implications.
• Consider quarantining data leaking activity in dedicated browsers. (Eg Netflix, Facebook, Google). And be warned, cross browser identification work has begun already.
• Do you think your future buying decisions will never be manipulated by marketers who have artificial intelligence and know more about you than your spouse?
• Can you guarantee that all the organizations that have your data will never be hacked?

Be humble and learn

• Anyone can be duped. Attacks are very sophisticated and we are all human.
• The more you learn, the safer you will be.
• Plan to be hacked. You will be. Individuals are soft targets. Just don't be the lowest hanging fruit for criminals.

Best wishes, stay safe.
Feedback and links to cyber security information is most welcome
THANK YOU