The internet is evolving every day, even in ways that we can’t see. This is because global communities of hackers are making greater advancements in the world of malware. International cybersecurity firms and government agencies do their best to detect and respond to cyberattacks, but it’s up to individuals to protect themselves as well.
Image credit: Fábio Lucas via Unsplash, free license
The best place to start is by ensuring you’re operating with all the right information. But there are a lot of dangerous myths and misconceptions out there about cybersecurity. If you’re building your digital privacy strategy on a foundation of fallacies, then you could be vulnerable to hacking activity without even knowing it.
That’s why we’ll be debunking six of the most common digital privacy myths today.
1. Using a private browser provides a private connection
Just because you’re using incognito mode doesn’t mean you’re really incognito. Contrary to popular belief, private browsers can still maintain details of your browsing history. How so? Although a private browser doesn’t save cookies or your browser history, it does maintain DNS data storage. This means that hackers may still be able to tap into your DNS storage to see what sites you visited. Yes, even on a private browser.
The most secure way to ensure you’re not being tracked is to use a tracker blocker. This is a nifty digital tool that helps prevent third-party web trackers from following you from page session to page session. Alongside bolstering your digital security, tracker blockers can also reduce the number of targeted ads you see online. This is ideal for anybody looking to browse with zero distractions and greater peace of mind.
2. Investing in just one cybersecurity measure will keep you safe
Does your front door have one or two locks? Chances are that many of us have both a key-access lock as well as a deadlock. Yes, that deadlock may not be necessary 99% of the time, but it sure does provide peace of mind. Cybersecurity measures work the same way.
Only relying on one cybersecurity measure is the same as putting all your hopes into one lock. But with enough determination, any lockpicker can surpass one security measure. So make sure there’s another barrier or two in place to ensure they don’t get to experience that instant gratification.
It’s recommended that you invest in at least 2-3 of the following digital security measures:
- Antivirus software
- VPN
- Firewall (for your home/office network)
- Password manager
Alongside these cybersecurity measures, it’s also imperative that you set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all your digital accounts. This ensures that hackers will need more than just your password to access your accounts. They will also need access to your email address or mobile phone number. And they’re less likely to have access to your inbox or SMS text messages.
3. Public WiFi networks are secure if they’re password-protected
Accessing the web while you’re travelling can always feel tricky. Even if you’ve invested in an international or local SIM, it’s still not ideal to rely on hotspotting everywhere you go. You just won’t have enough mobile battery to last you across the day. And whilst it may be tempting to connect to your hotel WiFi, sadly, there’s still no guarantee that it’s safe to do so, even if it is password-protected.
This is because hackers can do clever things like set up duplicate networks with the same credentials nearby. If you log into the wrong network, you could risk all of your user and device data falling into the wrong hands.
Similarly, some hackers may even be monitoring genuine hotel or restaurant/cafe WiFi networks. All they need is to have booked a room or a table once to gain access to the network password. Simply put, the network may be password-protected, but you don’t know who can access those credentials.
When in doubt, just rely on your hotspot connection. Or better still – use a VPN to make sure that your network connection stays encrypted and secure. That way, you can access the internet while on the go without sacrificing your digital safety or your phone’s battery life.
4. Only IT professionals are responsible for maintaining cybersecurity measures
Did you ever hear the story of a corporation brought to its knees by an administrative worker bringing in a USB she found in a car park? The simple act of plugging in this USB (which turned out to be a rubber ducky) allowed hackers to gain front-door access to that company’s data. It’s much harder to stop a cyberattack when you’ve welcomed it into the building.
Because of this, IT professionals have been encouraged to spearhead cybersecurity education initiatives in businesses. Yes, your IT team is responsible in that they have information to share. But once that information is shared and you’re well aware of your company’s cybersecurity policies, it’s up to you to do your part. Cybersecurity is a shared effort, and without every user and device on board, there will be cracks in your home or office network that opportunistic hackers can take advantage of.
5. Devices are safe from cyberattacks when they’re offline
As we mentioned above, even plugging in connected hardware can invite malware onto your devices. So, do away with this myth entirely because it’s been busted long ago! Hackers can upload malicious software and spyware onto a range of connected devices. This includes external storage drives (i.e. USB sticks and hard drives) and CDs.
Even if your device is offline, hackers can still find ways to expose your devices to spyware that allows for remote monitoring. If their monitoring systems don’t work online, they can lay in wait until your device does connect to the web again. At that point, your hacker can take total remote control over your device.
So keep an eye out for any suspicious hardware or even software packages that look like they may be plagiarised or pirated. These hardware and software offerings can mask viruses like Trojan Horses, which can wreak havoc on your devices, whether they’re online or offline. It all depends on what code they’re programmed to run.
6. Hackers only target big companies
Lastly, if you believe that cybercriminals only go after whales, then you’re sorely mistaken. Although there are hackers out there who focus on hunting ‘whales,’ there are still tens of thousands more out there who go after little fish. Think about it – by widening your net, you can ensnare more victims. Securing financial or other valuable personal data from 200 people could likely provide a similar profit to securing data from a big company.
This is especially true if those 200 people haven’t invested in their cybersecurity measures. So don’t make yourself an easy target! With just a few dynamic security measures in place (i.e. a VPN and 2FA or MFA), you can make your accounts ‘not worth the hassle’ and prompt hackers to look for lower-hanging fruit.
A Few Final Words
How many of these digital privacy myths have you known to be debunked yourself? And are there any that took you by surprise? If so, then now is the perfect time to assess your cybersecurity measures and see how you can improve your digital safety.