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

How to record screen on Windows 10/11

By TechCommuters / November 23, 2021

Have you often pondered how to display your desktop on whether you’re a Windows 11,10 user or recently updated towards the beta windows version 11? It is a question that almost all of us have asked. Using a display capturing app is the most straightforward approach to record a screen. And TweakShot is one of […]

How to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11?

By TechCommuters / November 21, 2021

Windows 11 is the leading operating system that is used on multiple systems globally. Many times users have the issue of recovering the permanently deleted files in Windows 11. There can be multiple reasons that may lead to the permanent deletion of files on this operating system. The good news is that technology helps the […]

How to Burn DVD on a Mac

By TechCommuters / November 16, 2021

Are you looking for a way to save movies on DVD, Blu-ray discs and share them with loved ones? You are at the right place; we will share steps to burn DVDs on Mac. Need of Burning Movies to DVD In pursuit of moving users to iCloud, Apple, for some years now, has been moving […]

6 Online Tools That Will Help You Write Essays

By TechCommuters / November 15, 2021

The world is changing. Along with the hustle and bustle, the way we perceive and adopt education is also evolving. Students don’t have to struggle as much in the olden days. Yes, they are more occupied and have deadly deadlines, so these tools are in the store for them to cope with the pressure! Mindnode […]

5 Best Plagiarism Checker Tools For Students

By TechCommuters / November 15, 2021

Plagiarism in papers can spoil your grades in college. Every student understands that it is a grave mistake and can leave them with zero. Therefore, it is a must to run a plagiarism checker on the document after you have done it. Below are given five top plagiarism tools you can reliably use for improved […]

Top 10 Programming Languages In 2024

By TechCommuters / November 12, 2021

Indeed, Programming Language is the main essential for pretty much every discipline whether it be Web Development, Machine Learning, Data Science, or some other. Every programming language has a huge demand in the programming field. In this article, you’ll find about the top 10 programming languages. Specifically, beginners firmly need to consider a few essential […]

How to Use Color Filters in Windows 11

By TechCommuters / November 10, 2021

For people with color vision disabilities and vision loss, to make things easy and help them deal with issues while working on a PC, Windows 11 provides built-in color filters. So, if you are looking for a way to use color filters, follow through with the step-by-step instructions and learn how to use color filters […]

How To Watch Youtube On TV

By TechCommuters / November 7, 2021

Take your YouTube stream to the next level in your living room. Are you happy with YouTube being a snack-sized place for videos? Or do you want to make it more than that? If your answer is yes, we know how you can make more out of it and make YouTube a substantial entertainment resource […]

How to Remove Bloatware from Windows 11?

By TechCommuters / November 6, 2021

Removing bloatware from Windows 11 is not impossible. If you know the correct instructions, it is as easy as 1-2-3. This article will explain everything clearly, thus helping get rid of bloatware from Windows 11. To begin with, we will learn how to remove bloatware using the traditional Uninstall function. Best Ways to Remove Bloatware […]

How to Block YouTube Channels

By TechCommuters / November 2, 2021

With more than 122 million users accessing YouTube daily, the video streaming service has been an undisputed winner. However, every once in a while, a YouTube channel posts inappropriate content or something you might not like. If you understand what we are saying, we are sailing in the same boat. In this post, we will […]