Guide on Internet Security: How To Protect Yourself Online

Guide on Internet Security

Last updated on August 28th, 2023 at 12:24 pm

What is internet security?

Internet security and network security refer to the same thing. However, internet security is slightly different from cybersecurity. In truth, it won’t be wrong to say that internet security is just but a segment of cybersecurity. It is prudent that you clearly understand the distinction between the two.  

By definition, internet security refers to all the measures, strategies, tools taken by an individual, enterprise, or government to secure the confidentiality and integrity of data and networks.

On the other hand, cybersecurity is more concerned with the general security of a system, websites, servers, computers, and everything in cyberspace.

Is Internet Security Necessary?

What is the essence of internet security to an individual or organization? Isn’t the cost of setting up internet security extremely high for me? These are questions most people ask me whenever I mention to them anything to do with internet security.

I often respond to them with one statement: “investing in internet security is a must-do. However, if you think it will be too costly to invest in internet security, perhaps it would help if you checked out how costly a cyber breach could be.”

RiskIQ estimates that cyber breaches cost businesses $2.9 million every minute, on average. The same report further reveals that enterprises lose $25 every minute to cybercriminals.

One reason to get internet security strategy is to protect yourself from such costs. Internet security is also vital in protecting your sensitive data and users’ data against cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

To stay safe on the internet, you first need to be aware of some of your susceptible threats. Below, I have briefly explained some of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats you should be mindful of.

Common internet security threats Nowadays.

1. Phishing

Phishing is one of the social engineering attacks that hackers use to target their victims. A cyber attacker will masquerade as a genuine entity to dupe a target to open an email attachment or click on a malicious link.  Upon clicking the attachment or opening the link, the victim might unknowingly download malware, reveal sensitive data, or freeze their network.

Attackers can also use phishing attacks to gain a position in corporate systems as part of a more significant cyber breach like the advanced persistent threat.

Phishing attacks have become so prevalent in recent times. According to a 2021 ProofPoint State of the Phish Report, 76% of businesses were victims of one or more phishing attacks in 2020. Without a doubt, phishing attacks are the most prevalent social-engineering attacks that you should protect yourself from.

2. Hacking and remote access

Remote working has been gaining momentum recently. Most companies are now opting to have their staff work from home. However, although this might be convenient to organizations, it might also expose your business to several internet security threats.

Remote working typically relies on the internet to exchange data outside the corporate infrastructure. For a seamless exchange of such data, one will require tools and devices, including those outside the control of an organization. As such, remote working is vulnerable to eavesdropping, data manipulation, BYOD threats, and Man-in-The-Middle attacks.

3. Malware

The word malware is a combination of malicious and software, which make up the definition of malware as malicious software. A malware attack is a type of cyber-attack that occurs when attackers craft malicious software and install it on a victim’s computer without the victim’s consent.

Malware attacks have been getting more sophisticated each year. It is one of the primary internet threats that could leave your system in shambles.

4. Ransomware

Ransomware is the most widespread malware attack that poses a significant risk to your entire system. It is sometimes called extortion software because it freezes up your entire system, denying you access to the system until you pay a ransom fee.

Mainly, hackers will demand that you pay the ransom fee in the form of Bitcoin to maintain their anonymity.

According to the FBI, there are over 4000 ransomware attacks each day. If you are keen on the cybersecurity news, you might have heard of the havoc the REvil hacking group has caused recently.

5. Denial of Service

Denial of Service attack is yet another common internet vulnerability. It occurs when legitimate users cannot access a system, device, data, or other network resource because of the actions of malicious cyber attackers. Vulnerable services to denial-of-service attacks include websites, emails, online accounts and all services that require the internet.

The five threats explained above can leave your entire system in devastation. To avoid the heavy repercussions of such attacks, it is wise that you have proper security measures to protect yourself from such threats. In the next section, we will learn about the basic security practices that will protect you from internet threats.

Internet Data Security Tips

● Use SSL Protocol

Installing an SSL certificate is one of the best security measures for staying protected on the internet. The SSL certificate is a digital certificate that combines with the HTTP protocol to form the HTTPS protocol that enables the safe transfer of data and information between two internet points such as website servers and website browsers.

If you have a website, you must ensure that you buy an SSL certificate to safeguard all sensitive data from data interceptions. Most websites, especially startups and small business owners, fear purchasing an SSL certificate because they think they are way too expensive.

However, that is usually not the case. There is no harm when you buy the cheapest SSL certificate. All SSL certificates, whether free or the most expensive ones, give the same encryption strength.

One of the critical things you have to check when buying an SSL certificate is the SSL provider. Some of the best SSL certificates you can go for include Rapid SSL certificate, Comodo SSL certificate and GeoTrust SSL certificates.

● Install an Antimalware and Keep It Updated

It would be best if you had antivirus software to safeguard yourself against internet-related malware attacks and viruses. Remember, we mentioned malware as one of the internet securities threats you are likely to encounter. To protect yourself against such threats, it will be wise to get antimalware software.

You must also remember that new malware and new threats are coming up daily, and this is why you must continually update your antimalware software to keep it well-equipped and, in a position, to fight new and emerging threats.

● Explore the Security Tools You Install

Internet security tools are a must-have. They uphold an internet user’s privacy and help safeguard your system against old and novel cyber vulnerabilities. The tools can help you conduct privacy audits and threat scans to find and remove security threats that might exist in your system. Some of the best security tools that you can consider purchasing include.

  • TotalAV
  • SolarWinds Security Event Manager
  • LifeLock
  • Acunetix

● Adhere to Best Password Practices

With internet security, having a strong password should never be an option but mandatory. Passwords protect your entire system against unauthorized entries. However, hackers have been known to break through weak passwords by employing dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.

If you are using a weak password, then your entire system is susceptible to data breaches. You can check out this page for some of the best password practices you must adhere to.

● Use Two-Factor Authentication

Passwords have proved to fail in keeping your system safe from cyber vulnerabilities. Therefore, it would be best if you had two-factor authentication to supplement your passwords. In two-factor authentication, apart from using passwords to authorize entry into your online accounts, you will also use extra authentication factors such as security codes, biometric factors and one-time passwords.

● Use up-to-date software and Operating systems.

Hackers usually figure out new hacking techniques. Old software and operating systems might be ill-equipped to protect your network from security threats. As a security measure, you must always ensure that you update your software to prevent any threats due to loopholes existing in old software versions.

To Wrap Up

Internet security threats can take you out of business. You must ensure that you know some of the threats you are vulnerable to and some of the actionable steps to prevent those threats. This article has tackled the meaning of internet security, cybersecurity threats, and solutions to those threats.

As a best practice, always ensure that you use multiple security solutions to strengthen your security walls. Lastly, do not forget to backup, just in case things go south.  

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Post

Recent Post

10 Best IPTV Apps For iOS & Android in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 27, 2024

Introduction: Watching TV on your phone or tablet has become incredibly popular in recent years. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) allows you to stream live TV, movies and shows directly on your mobile devices. With IPTV apps, you can take your favorite TV channels and content with you wherever you go. In 2024, there are tons […]

How To Fix Dns_Probe_Started Error [Top 10 Ways]

By TechCommuters / March 25, 2024

Introduction: The DNS_PROBE_STARTED error occurs when your DNS lookups are failing. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet—it translates domain names (e.g. google.com) into IP addresses needed to load websites. When you attempt to visit a website, your device sends a DNS lookup request to your DNS server. If the DNS […]

11 Best IPTV Player For Mac In 2024 [Free & Paid]

By TechCommuters / March 22, 2024

Are you interested in watching your favorite live TV channels, lots of trending movies, and TV series on a Mac device? Then, look nowhere else! You can get your hands on the perfect IPTV player for Mac. Such top IPTV apps can easily turn your Macbook into the ultimate entertainment center, which we will discuss […]

10 Best Free Caller ID Apps For Android In 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 20, 2024

Introduction: In today’s fast-paced digital world, our smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, serving as a gateway to constant communication. However, with the rise of spam calls, telemarketers, and unwanted contacts, managing incoming calls can become a daunting task. This is where caller ID apps come into play, offering a reliable […]

10 Best Free File Manager Apps For iPhone & iPad 2024

By TechCommuters / March 18, 2024

Introduction: Managing files across different cloud services and local storage on your iPhone or iPad can be a hassle. While iOS has fairly robust built-in file management capabilities through the Files app, many users find they need more advanced functionality. That’s where dedicated file manager apps come in. These apps allow you to access, organize, […]

15 Best Finder Alternatives for Mac in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 16, 2024

If you are a Mac user, you probably already have a bittersweet relationship with Mac Finder. It is an indeed powerful file manager and graphical user interface tool for Macintosh. But, despite being the default Apple program, it lacks many features. Plus, Apple hasn’t made any efforts to update Finder in a long time.    However, […]

10 Best Free MMORPG for Android in 2024 [Latest List]

By TechCommuters / March 13, 2024

Introduction: MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game) is an online game where a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual fantasy world. MMORPGs are extremely popular on PCs but are now also available on mobile devices. Mobile MMORPGs allow you to play these immersive and addictive games on the go on […]

9 Ways to Bypass Blocked Sites Without Using Proxies or VPNs

By TechCommuters / March 12, 2024

If your government or local ISP blocks certain websites, it must be really frustrating. While these blocks may be the reason for any violations by these websites, most of the cases involve these websites getting blocked for no apparent valid reasons. The Internet is full of knowledge and information, but these blocks can really be […]

Understanding FileVault and its Role in Data Security

By TechCommuters / March 11, 2024

Introduction: In this modern era where data breaches loom at large and data privacy is a serious concern, safeguarding personal and sensitive information is paramount. Keeping this in mind, Apple has designed this wonderful encryption software to safeguard the data of its Mac users which is known as FileVault. In this article, we will take […]

11 Best Free Duplicate Photo Finder for Android in 2024

By TechCommuters / March 10, 2024

Duplicate files are a perennial truth of any device. It generates in different forms due to different reasons. Multiple times file downloading, file sharing of the same file multiple times, and data backup of the same file are a few reasons why duplicate files accumulate on your device. You can find them in different forms […]