Unfortunately, most cyber security experts agree that it is not a question of if you will get hacked but a question of when. This holds true for companies as well as individuals. However, there are several measures you can take to greatly reduce the chance of falling victim to a cyber attack.
It is not a question of if you will get hacked, but a question of when.
1. Do not reuse passwords
Probably the most important thing you can do to better protect yourself online is to never reuse any of your passwords. Should one of your online accounts be comprised by say a mass data leak, hackers would be able to access your other accounts too if you reuse your password.
Therefore, it is important to only use each password once and to use complex passwords that cannot be easily guessed.
2. Never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders
One the most common ways hackers gain access to your computer or online accounts is through phishing emails. If you receive an email from an unknown sender that includes a link or a downloadable attachment delete the email immediately as it will likely be an attempt to hack you.
Also, if you receive emails from your bank or PayPal, always check that the emails actually came from them by carefully inspecting the email address. PayPal phishing emails, for example, are one of the most common ways hackers attempt to gain access to your account login details with the purpose of stealing your money.
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3. Download and update anti-virus software
A good quality anti-virus software is a necessary investment if you want to protect your data while being online. High-quality anti-virus programs will block threats such as malware and notify you if something managed to slip through when you run an anti-virus scan on your computer.
It also important to always update your anti-virus software to ensure it is able to handle the latest cyber threats lurking around the Internet.
4. Do not use public Wi-Fi without a VPN
Ideally, you want to avoid using public Wi-Fi connections if you can as it is very easy for hackers to access your computer if you are in the same network.
Having said that, if you regularly work out of cafes, on the train or in co-working spaces and you do not want to hotspot using your phone, you can protect yourself by installing a virtual private network (VPN) that hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, which makes it much harder for hackers to access your computer.