Cybercrime: how to protect your home and family

In the real world, I wouldn’t leave the door open or the car with the keys in the ignition. On the Internet we must be equally careful to protect our personal and financial data so we can work, watch broadcasts, shop and play safely.

Here is a list of tips you can follow to protect yourself and your home from cybercrime:

• Invest in security technologies

While the technology presents its security risks, it can also help protect your assets. Cameras with motion sensors can scare away intruders. Some even send you a notification and a screenshot every time they are activated. A smart doorbell films visitors as they approach the door and lets you talk to them on your cell phone if you’re not home. A third form of protection is a smart lock, activated by PIN or voice, which locks if someone tries to enter improperly.

Hackers can use malware to hack your computer or access your camera. This allows them to monitor your every move. To avoid the malwareDo not open suspicious emails or download files of unknown origin. Before you click on a link, ask yourself: Is this from a legitimate source and were you counting on it?

Fortunately, you don’t need cutting-edge technology to protect your camera: you can cover it, for example, with electrical tape. Remove it only when you want to use the camera.

• Pay attention to conversations

Voice-activated devices are very convenient, but they create security risks. Once activated, your digital assistant records and records voice commands. It’s a good idea to change your «wake word» (the word that activates your device) to one that you would rarely use in normal conversation. Also, don’t forget to check and delete old recordings regularly. You can do this through your device applications.

The increase in online shopping has been exploited by cybercriminals. New techniques have emerged, such as attacking payment processing pages to steal credit card information (a worrying tactic known as electronic skimming) or attempt to hack websites belonging to legitimate companies. To protect yourself, update your software and avoid making purchases if you’re on public Wi-Fi.

Keep in mind that there are fake websites that trick people into getting their banking details – the companies exist, but the website is controlled by hackers. Choose to access the site manually or via secure search engines.

Buy only from sites with SSL encryption (Secure socket level). On these sites the address starts with HTTPS (and not just HTTP) and there is a closed padlock icon in the address or status bar at the bottom of the page.

Your spam filters protect against emails from phishinga cybercrime technique. They say, for example, that you have just won a fabulous prize or that your bank account is blocked and ask you to provide your bank details. However, there are threats that inevitably slip through the filters. Pay attention to emails that appear to come from your bank. Pay attention to spelling and grammatical errors or suspicious addresses. If the sender doesn’t also use your full name, this email may be fraudulent.