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Connectivity is the new reality. We are surrounded by myriad devices within shared ecosystems, designed to improve efficiency and infuse ease into our lives. However, convenience comes at a cost many of us can’t fathom. The internet is overrun with malicious vehicles and individuals trying to track, obtain, and misuse personal data. Some even monitor you in real-time using microphones and cameras.

So, whether you are on the internet to stream music, work from home or play online, there’s always the risk that ‘evil’ is lurking. Many internet platforms, particularly online casinos like royalpanda.com/en-ie/, try to protect users using secure socket layer encryption. VPNs have also peaked in popularity as a means of protection against these malicious instruments. However, these tools aren’t enough on the grand scale of things.

The long and short of it is that while the internet is the best and most powerful tool we ever created, if you must use it, be prepared to secure your space adequately.

Cybersecurity: What is it?

Put simply, cybersecurity is protection against cyber threats. It involves safeguarding your data, software, hardware—everything connected to the internet. Cybersecurity measures help to prevent malicious instruments and individuals from accessing, destroying, deleting, or altering data, or attempting to use said data for extortion. But not all cyber threats are targeted at data. Some are used to disrupt or disable how a device functions.

As time passes, the cyber threat landscape evolves and cybersecurity must keep up to stay abreast of the situation. We’ve always resorted to reactive tactics when dealing with cyber threats, choosing to funnel resources towards bigger targets for cyber threats, while leaving the more obscure ones undefended. However, this strategy can only work for so long before someone explores the road less travelled. So, to ensure cyber threats do not prevail, we must adopt a more proactive and flexible strategy.

Tips for Improving Home Cybersecurity Standards

Your home cybersecurity may be compromised. Here are some tips to check and set things right.

Use your Router Properly

Your home router is the primary gateway into every internet-enabled device you own. So, if it falls to cyber threats, every other connected device is at risk of a breach. To insure your home against cyber attacks and begin with your router. For starters, don’t use the default name the manufacturer used. Use any other name but that. Secondly, switch to the highest encryption level—currently, that’s WPA2. Finally, use a long, unique password. Your birthday, address, wedding anniversary, offspring’s name, or your name won’t suffice. Also, don’t use “1234,” “ABCD,” or “Password.” Anyone with two bits of sense will guess these first.

Multi-Factor Authentication

If you have tried online banking, you should be no stranger to multifactor authentication. This tool typically takes the form of two-factor authentication (2FA)—an extra security layer that requires more than a password to gain entry into your device or network. If someone must gain access, they must provide extra proof of identity. Often, this proof is a one-time password or pin (OTP) sent to your email address or phone number. Only when you recognize these proofs will access be granted.

Use Unique Networks

Most modern routers allow the creation of a secondary or guest network. You can set up one to use with your internet-enabled devices. This way, if one is compromised, it doesn’t infect your primary network. This system also works for guests visiting yours to isolate them from trying to snoop on your network.

Update your Devices Regularly

Your devices: smartphones, routers, PC, smart home devices, etcetera, often receive software updates from their manufacturers. These updates contain security patches that improve cybersecurity and protect the device from the latest machinations of cyber threats.

So, ensure to check in every other month for pending firmware updates and install them pronto. Don’t hesitate or put it off for later.

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