Seven Technology Hacks and Tips to Up Your Security Quotient
When it comes to technology, the hottest issue on the planet right now is cybersecurity. You simply cannot be over-protected when it comes to safeguarding against a data breach or a cyberattack.
Whether you’re concerned about an entire network of computers, or simply your own PC or Mac, making sure you’re operating as safely as possible should always be at the top of your mind. You’ve got to be thinking about using adequate passwords and preventing virus infiltrations, or even the possibility of someone else gaining unwarranted access to your machine.
Here, then, are seven hacks and tips to help ensure your cyber-safety.
- Think your password is strong, and therefore impenetrable to hackers? Want to see how secure your password really is? https://howsecureismypassword.net can tell you how long it will take a hacker, using a computer, to crack your password. Be prepared for a wake-up call! And then schedule some time to change all your passwords.
- Want to see if your email address has been compromised? https://haveibeenpwned.com allows you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your email address has been compromised. A breached account means you might be the unwanted accomplice in a spear phishing scheme, where a cybercriminal might use your email to address someone who knows and trusts you, but he’s doing it to gain access to information that could damage a company.
- Don’t forget to guard your own machine every time and in every instance. Quickly lock your PC by pressing windows + L when you’re about to leave it unattended.
- Want to know if a website is safe? Google “safebrowsing:(website)” to see a 90-day history of malware attempts on its visitors.
- Need to share your wi-fi but don’t want to share your password? Locate a QR code generator online and generate a QR code for your wi-fi login. Print out the QR code, and you can allow your guests to scan the code to instantly connect to your wi-fi without having to use your password.
- Have a lost Android phone and a google account? Google search “find my phone” to locate your phone, lock your phone, or ring your phone remotely. The lock function is especially important these days, when most people have their work phone (as well as access to work systems) on their personal phone.
- This tip speaks to a different kind of safety… safeguarding yourself against making a lame-brained mistake. Prevent sending emails to the wrong person or sending it too soon by leaving the recipient field blank until your email is ready to go. You can even send an email to your draft folder without inserting a recipient (with some email services, you can simply x out of an email in progress, and you’ll be asked if you want to save your changes; that will create a draft. You can find the email again in your “Drafts” folder.)
