Cyber risks: what are they?
A cyber risk is a threat of harm to an electronic or computer system that can cause, among other things, physical damage to the device, loss of computerized personal data and financial loss.
Often, we speak of a cyberattack or cybercrime, because hackers are the source of cyber risks. They use many types of malware, or even phishing techniques, to steal personal information or simply cause harm.
Some tips to help you navigate safely
Cellphones, tablets, smart TVs, appliances: all your technological devices connected to the Internet can be the target of a cyber attack. Are you careful enough in using them? While you can't prevent all cyber threats, there are some habits you can adopt to protect yourself better.
Use social media cautiously
Social media uses the data for marketing purposes. This is why you must take special care to protect the personal information contained therein.
Check your privacy settings regularly, as they are subject to change without notice. Limiting access to your posts to only your friends might be a good idea. Also, think twice before accepting friend requests from people you don't know. If you use social media in the course of your work, create a separate account for this purpose.
Do not communicate your location. Publicizing your race routes, travel destinations, or even events you attend will let others know where you are, but more importantly, that you are away from home.
Avoid social media quizzes, no matter how funny they look! They can redirect you to unsafe sites and expose you to identity theft or annoying advertising campaigns.
Protect your devices
Just as you would protect your home or wallet from thieves, you need to protect your devices and personal data from cybercriminals.
Always use a password that is difficult to decode, This link will open in a new window. and a PIN on your devices and on your Wi-Fi network. Make sure your password includes upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
Install anti-virus, anti-spam, and firewall software to protect your computer from viruses, malware, and other threats. Make sure that the update is done automatically and that incoming emails are scanned by anti-virus software.
Always check the web address in the address bar of your browser. If the URL does not begin with the letters "https" and is not accompanied by a padlock icon, the website is not secure. And keep in mind that your devices and data are vulnerable when using a public Wi-Fi network.
Shop Safely Online
When you provide personal information online, like your address or credit card number, you become a target for cybercriminals. Shop more safely by following these tips:
Only shop online from business sites you trust. Go directly to the retailer's site, rather than going through links or ads posted on social media.
Do not use the public Wi-Fi network. If you shop using your smartphone, use your data plan instead.
Pay by credit card or with PayPal. Always check for unauthorized transactions on your credit card statements.
Clear your browser cache after banking or shopping online so that your personal information is not kept on your computer.
Protect your data from phishing
Some bad guys use phishing or scam techniques to get their hands on your data through your instant messaging, email, or bogus websites. Here are some tips to help you protect your personal information, This link will open in a new window. :
Do not send any personal information by email (eg: credit card, social insurance or driver's license number). Email is one of the hackers' favorite tools for stealing sensitive information.
Do not click on links or attachments sent by strangers. Be careful if you receive an email that appears to come from a reliable source (such as a financial institution), but which seems unusual to you
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