Hackers come up with brand-new hacking algorithms every year. However, you can deal with them by doing things that are easy as ABC but too strong for black hats. We’ll start with the basic rules and finish with information about using VPN services. So continue to read this article, and you’ll learn how to protect your data!
Set Different Passwords for Each Account
The first way to protect your data is to set different passwords. For example, you’ll have one password for Facebook, the second one for a Google account. If people have only one combination of letters and numbers for all profiles, their accounts are the target for hackers.
But in 2021, users are avoiding setting different passwords because of the integration between social media. For example, you can sign up on Instagram using your Facebook account. If you’re logged into your Google account, it’s easy to register in CRM systems such as Trello or create a project in Canva. Therefore, we should find another way to protect our data. And there is.
Set a Difficult Password
The fact is that hackers use specialized programs that find combinations of symbols and try to match users’ passcode. Such a process is called a brute-force attack.
Therefore, the second way you can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises is to set a difficult password. Sometimes websites suggest it. For example, if you create your own website on WordPress, this CMS system suggests a difficult generated passcode. You can use it or think it up on your own.
Change Passwords Regularly
Even the strongest passwords need to be changed. This is because of two factors. Let’s explore them.
Data leak
Maybe you’ve heard about the data breach of Facebook and Whatsapp accounts in 2021. Data leak means that your account’s data become public; therefore, hackers can easily get them. As a result, once you learn about it from the news or something else, you should change your password immediately.
Malware
We don’t have insurance for downloading malware. Yes, we’re attentive when surfing the Internet, but still it. Such a program can steal your data, and you won’t even know about it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to change your password regularly.
What Means ‘Regularly’? How Often Should You Change a Passcode?
Regularly means every six months — it’s a standard recommendation. But nobody prohibits you from doing it more often. Do as you want.
Of course, if you’re alert that someone else logged into your Google account and it isn’t you, your task is to change a password immediately. By the way, to avoid this situation, we have one more idea for you.
Set Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if somebody has your password, this person will face difficulties logging into your account because of two-factor authentication. Let’s see how 2FA works:
- You type your login and password.
- A social network sends a special code on your login, mostly on your mobile phone.
- You enter this code and log into your profile.
Accordingly, if you don’t enter this code, you won’t get access to your account. Therefore, a hacker can log into your profile only if he or she has your phone.
Avoid Using VPNs — Use Proxies
VPN services demonstrate their ‘security’ by investing in ads and writing a long privacy policy. But when it comes to saving data, they’re a wolf in a lamb’s skin, especially free services. Let’s explore why.
They Use Your IP address
When you enable free VPNs, it appears a lot dangerous. Most free services act as an ‘IP exchange network.’ Let’s see how it works:
- You join a server you need, Australian, for example.
- Free VPN takes your IP address.
- It gives it to another user or places it at the Luminati store.
For example, Hola VPN and Hoxx VPN are among such services. It’s okay because users will just visit websites that are banned in their countries. But what if such a user wants to do something that contradicts laws in your country? Realizing that gives you the creeps.
They Keep Logs
Okay, if you use a paid service, it mustn’t be an ‘IP exchange.’ But there is another danger — paid VPN services keep logs. It means that VPNs see what you do and where. So, for example, if users ask a quick essay writing service for assistance, or some people search for america essays examples, VPNs know it and have the list of websites you’ve visited.
What to Do With It?
Such stories are common for VPNs, but there isn’t any story with proxy services. So it’s better to buy an IP address from proxy sellers. Even using free IPs, you won’t ‘exchange’ your address with anybody. So if you want to purchase residential IPs, be sure that proxy services ethically get them as they buy IPs from providers.
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that all these rules aren’t panacea from stealing your data and primarily because of factors independent of us, e. g., the leak of data. So be attentive and change your password if it’s needed. Also, don’t forget that VPNs keep logs, and some of them act as an ‘IP exchange network.’ Therefore, there is a sense to turn to proxy services.