You can also proactively protect your privacy and security. Knowing how to prevent social engineering attacks is very important for all computer and mobile device users.
The following are some important ways to prevent all types of network attacks:
– Secure communication and account management habits
– Online communication is where you are particularly vulnerable. Social media, email, and texting are common goals, but you should also consider face-to-face interaction.
– Do not click on any links in emails or messages. Regardless of the sender, you always want to manually enter the URL in the address bar. However, take additional investigative steps to find the official version of the relevant URL. Do not use any URL that has not been verified as official or legal.
– Multi-factor authentication is used. If you don’t just use a password to protect your online account, your online account will be more secure. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer to verify your identity when you log into your account. These “factors” can include biometric technologies such as fingerprints or facial recognition, or temporary passwords sent through text messages.
– Use strong passwords (and password managers). Passwords shall be designed to use different types of characters, including capital letters, numbers, and symbols. In addition, you may want to use longer passwords if possible. To help you manage all custom passwords, you may need to use a password manager to store and remember them securely.
– Avoid sharing the names of your school, pets, birthplace, or other personal information. Without knowing it, you may expose your security question or part of the password answer. Setting your security question to be memorable but inaccurate will make it harder for criminals to hack your account. If your first car is a “Toyota”, then writing a lie like a “clown car” can completely get rid of any nosy hacker.
– Be very careful only when establishing friendships online. Although the Internet can be a good way to connect with people all over the world, it is a common method of social engineering attacks. Look out for signs and red flags that indicate tampering or a clear breach of trust.
Safe Network Usage Habits
A compromised online network may be another vulnerability point that can be exploited for censorship. To prevent your data from being corrupted, take protective measures for whatever network you connect to.
Never allow strangers to connect to your main WiFi network. At home or at work, a guest WiFi connection must be provided. This allows your encrypted and password-protected primary connection to remain secure and free from interception. If someone chooses to “eavesdrop” on information, they will not be able to access the activities that you and others want to keep secret.
Use VPN. If someone on your main network (wired, wireless, or even cellular) finds a way to intercept traffic, a virtual private network (VPN) can keep them out. A VPN is a service that provides you with a private encrypted “tunnel” to any Internet connection you use. Not only is your connection protected from unnecessary prying eyes, but your data is anonymous, so it cannot be traced back to you through cookies or other means of guarantees the safety of all networked devices and services. Many people are familiar with Internet security practices for traditional and mobile computing devices. However, in addition to protecting all your smart devices and cloud services, protecting your own network is just as important. Make sure to protect often-overlooked devices such as car infotainment systems and home network routers. Data breaches on these devices can promote the customization of social engineering scams.
Security Device Usage Habits
Maintaining the device itself is as important as all other digital behaviors. Use the following tips to protect your phone, tablet, and other computing devices:
– Use comprehensive Internet security software. If the social strategy is successful, malware infection is a common result. To combat rootkits, Trojan horses, and other robots, high-quality Internet security solutions must be adopted to eliminate infections and help trace their origin.
– Do not leave your device unprotected in public places. Always lock your computer and mobile device, especially at work. When using your device in public places such as airports and coffee shops, always take it with you.
– Keep all software up to date as soon as it is available. Instant updates provide necessary security fixes for your software. When you skip or delay updates to operating systems or applications, you will expose known security vulnerabilities to hackers as targets. As you know, this is the behavior of many computer and mobile device users, and you have become the main target of social engineering malware attacks.
– Check your online account for known data breaches. Services such as Kaspersky Security Cloud will actively monitor your email address for new and existing data leaks. If your account is included in the leaked data, you will receive a notification and advice on how to take action.
– Preventing social engineering begins with education. Be sure to raise awareness of these risks by sharing what you have learned with colleagues, family, and friends.