Most people expose themselves to hackers on a daily basis by performing actions that seem innocuous, but are actually very risky.
This is the observation made by a cybersecurity expert, in an interview with the Daily Mail. Zane Bond, production manager at cybersecurity agency Keeper Security, estimates that millions of people put themselves at risk every day by making basic mistakes.
Here are 5 common gestures that threaten your cybersecurity:
1- Use the same password on several sites
With the multiplication of accounts on different social networks and websites, most Internet users choose to use the same password or variations of it. However, this is a serious error, judge Zane Bond.
If a password is easy to remember, it’s also easy for hackers to crack, argues the cybersecurity expert. The latter advises using a password manager that will create passwords randomly and keep them for you.
2- Do not unsubscribe from spam
Having an email address also means regularly receiving spam. Many people choose to simply ignore them, but that’s not enough according to Mr Bond. This recommends unsubscribing to increase your cybersecurity. “If you unsubscribe whenever possible, it will avoid an overload of emails. Less spam in your inbox means less chance of errors and more time and energy to stay on the lookout for possible phishing attacks.
3- Give access to your Wi-Fi to other people
Who hasn’t ever let a visitor use their home’s wireless network? According to Zane Bond, it is important to create a “guest” network to prevent our main network from being exposed to malware from devices belonging to relatives.
“Simple precautions taken to secure your Wi-Fi will prevent cybercriminals from accessing your data, phones, tablets and computers,” says the cybersecurity expert.
4- Neglecting to plan for your digital life after death
One of the biggest cybersecurity mistakes people make is failing to plan for their digital afterlife, says Bond.
“Our lives are moving more and more to digital and we have to think that our loved ones will need to have access to our accounts when we are no longer alive,” he says.
The latter advises to take an inventory of our online presence and designate a “digital heir” who will have all the necessary access after our death.
5- Deny two-factor authentication
To save time, many Internet users refuse to use two-factor authentication. However, it can help make our accounts 99.9% safer.
Zane Bond suggests using it wherever possible, but especially for the most important accounts (email, social networks, bank accounts, etc.)