Online Security
Technology has been advancing and developing at a very high rate. Technological advancement has then led to using computers and online platforms in different aspects of life. Nowadays, especially in the post-COVID era, many things that could not happen when people were together can happen even when people are many kilometers away. Through online platforms, people can study, shop, carry on meetings, date, and join religious services. Due to the rise of online usage, online security has been a threat since many people use online platforms. Online insecurity may happen when a person’s information, which may be private, lands on the wrong person. Cybersecurity ensures people can communicate without any hindrances or harm. Online insecurity can lead to many losses since currently, organizations’ databases are online stores, and if the information leaks, an enormous loss can be noted. To avoid such occurrences, people must learn what entails online security, how to deal with cyber threats, and how to prevent cyber insecurities, which can be disastrous. Online security is vital, and all people in society should make sure they practice online security to use online platforms effectively.
Online security refers to rules to follow and actions to take to ensure one is safe while online. Online security points out some rules and protocols to follow while on the platform to use these systems without fear. While transacting through online platforms, it is critical to ensure that you embrace online security (Osborne, 6). Online security offers online safety. Security safety ensures that we are safe and can transact your business via the online platforms confidently since we are sure of your privacy. It is also crucial, as it keeps cyber thieves and hackers from accessing personal information. Without security, there can be several risks for organizations that use online platforms to protect its databases.
There are several types of online security that we use in our daily lives, ensuring that we are secure while online. We can choose to use these methods of online security to make sure that we are secure online. First, there is the use of passwords. Passwords ensure that our accounts are not accessible to unauthorized parties (Osborne, 8). They keep tabs safe, and machines are kept secure, and by so doing, they ensure that there is security in the online platforms. Second, there is the use of security questions, where a platform asks a particular question which they may use to prove they are the account owners. For example, some security questions are: what is your favorite day of the week, who is your best friend’s name, etc. Antivirus can also help combat the virus threat and hence maintain security, which may be rare if viruses are allowed to attack the machines and personal accounts involved in the online platforms.
However, there are several cybersecurity threats. First, malware is software-encoded and affects any machine that it comes into contact with. Malware has increased over the past few years, and there are the most significant threats on the web nowadays. Different types of malware include viruses, which are self-replicating malware; computer worms, which live in the computer memory; and spyware, which logs into the user’s individual data through keyloggers (Osborne, 12). This software is a threat to individuals and organizations. Cyber thieves use malware to steal personal data, for example, the logins used to steal money from the victim’s financial accounts and other accounts. They can also make profits by selling data to the victims. Malware may also damage the victim’s hard drive, leading to the loss of very critical files from the hard drives, which can be very harmful. The threat posed by the malware can be so disadvantageous and is a threat to online security, leading to the victim’s suffering.
Also, phishing is a continued threat to online security. It involves cybercriminals deceiving people so that these persons may give them their personal information, either personal or financial, pretending to be the service providers and when the victims reveal the information, the criminals use the information to log in to the accounts, which may lead to financial loss to the victim. Phishing is done by criminals who send fake messages and fake emails to individuals; they may also use fake websites and website manipulations where they manipulate the websites to conquer the individuals and get the information they need from these people (Henderson, 17). Phishing is the most effective means the cybercriminals are currently using since some customers are overwhelmed and do not take time to reflect on who is contacting them. Some of them do not know the genuine messages from their service providers. It is essential to avoid unofficial statements and develop ideas on how to note the messages from cyber thieves.
A man-in-the-middle attack is a cyber threat where a cybercriminal inserts themselves into two people’s conversations and then filters and steals data. With the data they have stolen, they can hack the financial or other ports to steal from those databases. It can also occur when one uses a public Wi-Fi network and another person through the network joins, stealing data that may be very sensitive. It can happen through social media platforms where hackers can hack communication and personal information leaks, leading to enormous losses to the victim. Very confidential information may leak, and it may lead to failures or mistrust. The man-middle attack has been on the rise, and it is a threat to cybersecurity around the world.
Though online security threats are many and rise each day, individuals can employ some measures to ensure that they embrace cybersecurity. People can make use of passwords when logging into databases and accounts. When setting passwords, ensure that they are not guessable by people. When generating passwords, mix letters, both upper and lower case, and letters and symbols (Henderson, 63). It is also advisable that people use passwords to avoid using the same passwords for different logins since it would be easy if an attacker knew one password to log in to all fields, leading to enormous losses. It is also essential to keep the passwords safe by not sharing them with people around you to embrace online safety. Since passwords ensure that other people cannot access the platforms, it is vital to keep the machines locked and turned off to avoid other people tampering.
Individuals should make sure that they avoid spam messages, links, and messages from unfamiliar senders, as well as opening files from unfamiliar sources. Emails and other links may lead to sites that may be dangerous, and the cybercriminals on those sites request that a person fill in their personal information that they may use to log in to their accounts (Henderson, 23). These links may lead to sites that may acquire viruses on the machine. Receiving and opening files from unknown sources may lead to viruses on the machines, leading to other file attacks. It is advisable to avoid attachments or have software scan the files, making sure they do not have viruses. It is also essential to avoid promotion messages that are scams and phone calls from people who pretend to be the service providers, either in the bank or the network provider, and provide them with your details. These people may use these details to attack your accounts and systems, resulting in huge losses. In general, embrace cybersecurity; it is vital to be careful when receiving messages and files from unknown sources as they may threaten your online security.
To acquire cybersecurity, it is essential to keep the machines, systems, and software updated to note the threats and develop mechanisms to fight the threats and hence avoid unnecessary attacks (Henderson, 50). When one uses outdated systems, hackers may find it easy to hack the older version since they may have used these systems and have developed methods to attack these platforms. Cybercriminals may not hack the up-to-date system since they may not have developed strategies to attack the current systems. Also, when the systems are up to date, if a virus or any other type of malware attacks the machines, the systems would note that there are threats and one can act upon the dangers, and the threat may not affect the system databases. It is vital to keep the systems secure, establish ways to maintain them to note any threat and develop mechanisms to fight the threats.
Individuals can guarantee online security by avoiding unhealthy connections for the machines that they are using. People should avoid ensuring they establish secure connections, avoid public Wi-Fi, and turn Bluetooth off. They should also avoid having the location on, as hackers may use the site. They may then employ them to attack individual databases if people establish a connection, for example, a WI-FI they should connect to secured networks. They should also show a link to the people they trust, and people should not accept connecting to people they do not count.
In conclusion, due to the continued use of online platforms in our daily lives, it is crucial to embrace online security. There are several threats that we should note and avoid since these threats can lead to losses. Individuals should also employ security measures to ensure that they have cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is essential, as with it, people can carry out their functions using the new platforms courageously, and they will acquire a lot. Individuals should avoid cyberattacks and cybercrimes, as they may lead people to jail and heavy fines since they are threatening people’s online security.