You lock your front door, windows and your car, but do you protect your data the same way?
Cybersecurity is a daunting topic for many, as just figuring out where to start can be stressful. Plus, finding the right products to help can lead you down a rabbit hole of claims and jargon, confusing even the most technologically advanced among us.
Luckily, there are experts here to help, recommending the best ways to protect your internet activity and personal data from any hackers that may lurk behind the screen.
The Post spoke with Nevin Markwart, chief information security officer at FutureVault, a cloud-security platform designed to protect sensitive financial, legal and business data. He knows first-hand how important it is to secure those, and gave several tips about how to safely browse and shop online worry-free. He suggests a virtual private network as a good place to start, followed by setting up a password vault and having a trusty credit card on hand as opposed to debit.
While there are scams running every day — and more so during the holiday-shopping season — you can and should continue to shop safely from your own home during the pandemic. Using these three tips and services to avoid security breaches is the first and best line of defense, so go ahead and add them to your cart.
Shop using a VPN
“A virtual private network, or VPN, can be used to provide additional anonymity
and encryption of your web traffic by allowing you to access the public internet
through a private tunnel,” Markwart said. “Accessing Wi-Fi via a VPN is a good solution for operating over a public Wi-Fi hot spot.”
NordVPN
NordVNP is there for you when it comes to global browsing without worries.
The software gives you secure access to the World Wide Web via its more than 3,500 server locations across 61 different countries. All data goes through NordVPN’s double-encrypted private tunnels, keeping your online footprint anonymous, even if browsing on public Wi-Fi.
“When shopping online in public, use a secure, known public Wi-Fi network and use a VPN if you can,” suggested Markwart, who listed NordVPN as one of the best options.
Right now, NordVPN is having a holiday sale, giving you protection for two years and throwing in three months completely free. Check out the site for more details, and gift yourself some peace of mind for the holidays.
ExpressVPN
Another great choice for a protected browsing experience, ExpressVPN offers high-speed security wherever you are.
With just one subscription, use ExpressVNP on all your devices, including on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, home routers and more. The services span over 160 locations in 90 countries, so finding a place to surf the web has never been easier.
Surfshark
Be a shark when it comes to how fiercely you protect your information.
Surfshark is another great VPN company dedicated to keeping your online life safe and secure. Use the software on unlimited devices, perfect for the whole family. Right now, they are offering a holiday deal, giving customers three months free upon signup, making the monthly price just $2.21.
Set up a password manager
In addition to a secure network, making sure your passwords are secure is another key factor in internet safety. That means refraining from using your easily crackable personal details, even if “password1234” is easy to remember.
“We recommend people use a password keeper like LastPass, Dashlane or a product we use called 1Password to generate, store and retrieve passwords,” Markwart said. “These password keepers can also [provide you with] secure, randomly generated passwords instead of your cat’s name with your birth year.”
This tool is especially useful for online shopping, which is now surging due to the pandemic and the holidays.
“When creating a new password for an account on a shopping site, use a random password, preferably created and stored in your password keeper. Also, do not use the same password for your email. If a site gets compromised and bad actors get access to your email password, they can do a lot of damage,” warns Markwart.
1Password
Know someone who keeps forgetting their passwords to all of their apps and social media? Or worse, someone who uses “123” as their password, making it too easy for hacks and data breaches?
1Password is an easy fix for both, allowing you to use just one master password for everything you need and adding a thick layer of security to protect that master key.
“Your log-ins and private documents are securely stored in your password vault. This keeps your information locked away from thieves, hackers and other unsavory types,” explains the product page.
Keeper Security
Great for personal use and for your entire office, Keeper locks your passwords up tight, keeping them secure and your life easier, as it memorizes your passwords for you. Set a master key and forget the rest. It’s perfect for those who use many accounts during the day at work or at home.
“Keeper manages your passwords to prevent data breaches, improve employee productivity, cut help-desk costs and meet compliance standards,” reads the product page.
Use a credit card rather than a debit card
Markwart also suggested turning to a credit card over a bank card when making online transactions, as many credit card companies have a keen eye for fraud. He also reminds shoppers to use their best judgment when shopping from sites that look too good to be true.
“On lesser-known sites, watch out for deals that seem to be marked down an absurd amount, often with a countdown clock imploring you to press that red ‘Buy now’ button,” he said. “Could be a red flag, instead. Be particularly careful of email deals you never signed up for — most top-tier retailers won’t be spamming you if you haven’t signed up for their newsletter or transacted with them in the past six months.”