You might not be aware of it, but the internet is not a safe place. In fact, it is far from it, as millions of people get their data stolen every year while surfing the web. Phishing, social engineering by Bulletproof, data breaches, and viruses are only a few examples of cyber threats that might compromise your internet connection.
Nevertheless, you can boost your internet security by following a few simple steps – even if you are not a technophile. Below, you will find a list of valuable tips that can help you with this task. They range from renaming your routers and networks, using strong passwords, and investing in a VPN to testing your firewall and keeping everything up to date.
Top 8 Tips to Boost Your Internet Connection Security
Here is how you can go the extra mile with network security:
Tip #1. Change Your Password Regularly
One of internet users’ most common mistakes is using the same password for different accounts. This is not at all secure, as hackers can easily guess the credentials you use on one website and then try them out on other websites. To avoid this, you need to update your passwords regularly instead of using the same one over and over again.
To do so, you can use a password manager or an app that creates unique passwords for every account you have. If you are not sure whether or not your password is strong enough to keep your data secure, there is a simple way to find out. Simply use a password strength checking tool and make sure that your password has a high score.
Tip #2. Get a VPN
A VPN is an excellent security tool that can help you with internet security in a number of ways. First of all, it encrypts all of your data – including emails and instant messages – so that no one can read it except for you and the person you are chatting with. Second, a VPN keeps your online activity private so nobody can tell where exactly you are browsing from. Plus, a VPN allows you to access blocked websites from anywhere in the world.
You can get a VPN on any platform – from Android to Windows – and both free and paid options are available. However, if you want to ensure that you have the best possible protection, you should invest in a paid VPN service, as free VPNs often come with limited bandwidth and speed issues. Also, keep in mind that some VPNs only work on certain devices, such as smartphones and computers, while others work on several devices at once.
Tip #3. Use Anonymizers and Proxy Servers
Another great way to secure your internet connection is using an anonymiser, also known as a proxy. It is a server application that allows you to browse the internet anonymously by encrypting your IP address and making it look like you are somewhere else. There are numerous free proxy servers available online, but not all of them are legit and can actually compromise your security.
In order to make sure that the anonymiser you choose is safe, you can use a proxy checker tool to test it out. These tools check proxy servers considering different parameters, such as type, location, speed, anonymity, and tell you whether the proxy you are using is safe enough.
Tip #4. Test Your Firewall
Firewalls are quite easy to set up and use, but they also come with some downsides. For example, some firewalls require constant maintenance, which means that you have to regularly update the software and change your firewall rules accordingly. Also, firewalls may significantly slow down your network connection – especially older ones – so make sure that your firewall does not affect your performance before enabling it.
Tip #5. Keep All Your Software up to Date
This is extremely important because many cyber threats target outdated software packages. Many hackers develop custom viruses specifically for popular software applications – like Adobe Flash Player – so keeping them up to date will ensure maximum protection against viruses and other malware. In addition to this, you should also keep your operating system up to date in order to avoid any potential security issues that might arise through system vulnerabilities.
Tip #6. Update Your Router’s Name and Password Regularly
Most routers come with default names and passwords, and most frequently, it is ‘admin’ for the username and ‘admin’ for the password. As these are pretty easy to guess by experienced hackers, they are also very easy to change – do not neglect to do so. You can update the name and password by opening up the router’s admin panel or web administration and change both to something unique and random.
Tip #7. Turn on Encryption
Encryption is a must when it comes to internet security, as it keeps all of your data safe from snooper programs. To turn on encryption on your router, you need to connect to its web interface and manually upload the firmware. Also, you will need to create a complex password that will be required to get on your Wi-Fi network, so make sure it cannot be easy to guess.
Tip #8. Turn off the WPS Setting
The WPS feature is a wireless network security protocol that allows you to connect your devices to your router without entering a PIN. However, this security feature is not safe at all, as there are plenty of tools available online that can crack it easily. Therefore, make sure that the WPS setting is off on all of your devices so that no one can access your home network without your permission.
Conclusion
The internet is a powerful tool, but it can also be a dangerous place where other people can easily steal all of your sensitive information. To keep your data secure, you need to follow a few simple steps, such as using a VPN, changing your router’s name and password, updating your software regularly, and installing a firewall. Stick to them and surf the web safely!