

As we all know, the work from home trend will continue to rise in 2021 globally. Therefore, we should expect that various cyber risks will increase this year at an alarming rate. Likewise, all these threats will try to harm our online privacy to a certain extent.

It means cybersecurity will remain one of the biggest challenges for people in 2021 worldwide. Considering the negative impacts of cybersecurity risks, internet users no matter where they reside must take appropriate measures to improve their online privacy in 2021.

Here are 6 different ways by which internet users can protect themselves without compromising their digital anonymity:

  1. Use a VPN
  2. Protect your personal data
  3. Focus on improving your cyber hygiene practices
  4. Secure yourself from phishing attacks
  5. Outsource security services if possible
  6. Provide basic cybersecurity training to your employees

Use a VPN

A VPN masks your actual IP address with an alternate IP address of your desired countries like the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, etc. Thus, you can spoof your online locations from anywhere.

As a result, you can keep notorious elements at bay while surfing the web like hackers, scammers, and other cyber goons. For instance, if you reside in Australia and do not want to become a victim of different cyber threats such as DDoS attacks, ransomware, man-in-the-middle attack, etc. you should use a free VPN that offers Australian servers at least if you don’t want to spend on a paid one.

When you hide your original Australian IP address with a fake Australian IP address using a free VPN, you can securely browse the internet as per your preferences without exposing your actual footprints.

Protect your personal data

In this age of digitalization, protecting personal data from the prying eyes of cyber terrorists has become a daunting task. For your sake of convenience, you can follow the below-mentioned tips to secure your personal data appropriately:

  • Always use a strong password for managing your online banking and social media accounts
  • Do not overshare your personal details on social media platforms
  • Always connect to a trustworthy Wi-Fi network to browse the internet
  • Install antivirus software and firewalls on your devices

Focus on improving your cyber hygiene practices

When we talk about cyber hygiene practices, it means you should follow different practices that help you protect your online whereabouts when browsing the web.

For instance, you can use a password manager like LastPass that helps you safeguard your sensitive login credentials efficiently. Similarly, you can opt for some reputable cloud services to secure your confidential business data appropriately.

Likewise, you can consider using a secure Wi-Fi network that lets you perform important official tasks online while traveling. If you cannot connect to a secure Wi-Fi network for any reason, use your mobile data instead to safeguard your official tasks and devices.

Secure yourself from phishing attacks

In 2021, email phishing attacks will keep trying to hamper users’ privacy worldwide. Therefore, you should avoid clicking any links or attachments provided in emails sent from suspicious or unknown sources. Otherwise, you may become a target of hackers and lose your crucial personal and official data.

Outsource security services if possible

If you can bear some extra bucks, you had better hire a team of cybersecurity professionals that will perform vulnerability assessments and other security tests on your behalf.

Furthermore, the team will provide valuable solutions to your weaknesses cybersecurity-wise. They can highlight and address security loopholes residing in your networks as and when needed.

Above all, they can offer their services when it comes to developing and implementing cybersecurity policies for your small or medium-sized businesses.

Provide basic cybersecurity to your employees

If you are an entrepreneur and managing a small business yourself, you must provide basic cybersecurity training to your employees. You can motivate your office and remote employees to use different encryption software like BitLocker, LastPass, VeraCrypt, etc.

By doing so, your remote or office employees can safeguard their official devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, against numerous cyber issues like hacking, malware, data theft, etc.

In addition to this, you should encourage them to update all their official devices regularly. This is because software updates can proactively remove security loopholes from their devices instantly.

These updates also add new security features to their devices, ideal for combating several security issues.

The Takeaway

Unfortunately, we are still facing the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. You can consider these consequences in the shape of various cyber threats such as hacking, identity theft, malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, etc.

Therefore, you should use a VPN and other cybersecurity tools like GNU Privacy Guard, SafePad, etc., in these challenging times to protect your online whereabouts when surfing the internet comprehensively.