Explore Biometrics
There has been an increase in Biometric technology in recent years. From fingerprint readers and facial identification software in smartphones to voice recognition in home speakers, the technology has become increasingly present in everyday life. Different from written passwords, biometrics are unique to you by nature. A fingerprint, for example, is difficult to duplicate. When given the option, it may be wise to substitute a written password with biometric technology for stronger security.
Take Two
Rather than relying on only a password, there is an alternative, better approach known as two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication uses two forms of authentication, including something the user knows (password), something a user has (token), or something a user is (biometrics). For example, in-addition to a username and password, a user also enters a code or token provided by a mobile application or sent to a registered cell phone via text message. More websites, apps and webmail programs are offering two-factor authentication, and it is smart to opt in to get the extra layer of security.
Improve Secure Browsing Experiences
When visiting a website, always double check that the URL looks exactly as you expect because advanced phishing scams often use website URLs that look very similar to legitimate sites but are actually malicious. Prior to sharing personal or confidential information online, make sure the site you’re using is secured with HTTPS encryption. This can be confirmed by looking for “https:” at the beginning of the website URL. Sites without the “S” in HTTPS are unencrypted and could expose data during transmission.
Don’t Disregard Your Router
Most people disregard their routers, checking them occasionally when the connection becomes unbearably slow or needs rebooting. But, it’s important not to take your router for granted. Think about all the things that connect to your network - computers, tablets, phones and televisions. All these modern conveniences have a price – if you’re not careful they could be exploited and host malware. To help protect yourself, make sure the router’s administrator password and your network password are complex and unique, and regularly update the firmware to help ensure any vulnerabilities are patched.
It’s important to stay current on cybersecurity trends and never take shortcuts when it comes to practicing computer and mobile security. We hope you found these technology upgrades useful for your internet security. If you have any you would like to share, please list them below.
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