Whether you’re a savvy businesswoman, an ingenious entrepreneur, or a kickass content creator, it should come as no surprise that the internet is one of the biggest tools to advance your career in the digital age. Unfortunately, as we continue to use digital technologies in more aspects of our personal and professional lives, the internet has quickly become a place filled with hackers, cybercriminals, as well as a menagerie of malware that aims to wreak havoc and steal sensitive personal data from users.

In truth, nobody is really safe from falling victim to cyberattacks, as malware and hacking methodologies evolve just as rapidly as digital technologies. Because of this, the need for cybersecurity strategies has become more prevalent.

Today, we explore 6 key elements to building the ultimate personal cybersecurity strategy. Read on to learn how you can keep yourself and your growing business safe online over the foreseeable future.

1.   Always Use A VPN

VPN services have come a long way since the early days, with services now available on various devices and browsers – from tablets to smartphones, and from Google Chrome to Firefox VPN add-ons. For those who are unfamiliar with the term VPN (or ‘virtual private network’), it’s an encrypted server that hides your IP address from any third parties who may be looking to observe your connection, whether these be eCommerce business owners, government agencies, and hackers or cybercriminals themselves.

A VPN can protect your identity even when using public or shared Wi-Fi networks, ensuring that your data will be kept private from any third parties. Whether you’re sending important information via email, making online banking transactions, or engaging in business-related video conferencing, your data is always at risk when accessing the web. As such, using a VPN is a key element that will help boost your cybersecurity, online privacy, and safety when using the internet.

If you’re looking to keep your personal data and the sensitive information of your partners and clients safe, a VPN should always be your first option.

2.   Stay On The Ball With Software Updates

Are you guilty of letting software updates on your phone and computer fall to the wayside? If so, you may unwittingly be putting yourself at risk of experiencing data breaches, hacks, and even falling victim to cybercrime like identity theft. Alongside updating your device with the latest technological advances, software updates help address security flaws or potential vulnerabilities that have been identified in a current or previous version of that application. Regardless of whether you run your own small business or simply use your devices to handle tasks such as online banking, sending emails, or streaming your favourite content during your downtime, the longer you keep outdated or unpatched software running, the higher the risk of falling victim to a hack.

Top Tip For The Busy Modern Woman: If you find that you don’t have the time to manually update your applications or device OS, simply turn on the automatic update option on your device. It is also advisable to ensure that your desktop browser has automatic security updates. Updating browser plugins like QuickTime, Java, or Flash will also strengthen your online security.

3.   Use Anti-Virus Protection & Firewalls

One cannot go wrong with installing anti-virus protection software and firewalls on all devices when aiming to amp up any cybersecurity strategy. Anti-virus software is by far one of the best ways to block malware and keep your sensitive data away from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.

On top of basic AV software, using a firewall is also important when defending your data against malicious attacks. Thankfully, both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems come with their own firewalls, namely Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall. However, to add a further layer of protection, you can also choose to use a third-party firewall on your personal router to prevent cybercriminals from targeting your network.

Top Tip For The Busy Modern Woman: Only use anti-virus software from reputable and trusted vendors and only run one AV tool on your device to bolster your security when surfing the web.

4.   Utilise Two-Factor Authentication

By definition, two-factor authentication (2FA) is an identity and access management security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data. A simple example of 2FA that you would have encountered would be instances in which you are sent a one-time password (OTP) when trying to make a payment online or log into any online account. This two-step process is vital to web security as it immediately neutralizes the risks associated with compromised passwords.

As such, utilizing two-factor authentication is a fantastic way to add additional layers of security to your login details. If any of your passwords are leaked in data breaches, 2FA can help keep your accounts secure whilst you go about changing account information following the said data breach. Even outside of actual data breaches, however, 2FA offers additional layers of security that are growing vital as we delve deeper into the digital age.

5.   Beware Of Phishing Scams

Did you know that over 3.4 billion phishing emails are being sent daily, which accounts for trillions of fake emails sent yearly? Unfortunately, many device users all over the world continue to fall for phishing scams as they evolve to become more sophisticated, realistic, and convincing.

The best way to protect yourself from phishing scams is to exercise caution when receiving emails, texts, and phone calls that claim to be from the bank, government, or any other sources that seem reputable on paper. In essence, always be suspicious of the emails and messages you receive, regardless of where it’s appeared to have come from and who’s appeared to have sent it. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any form of communication, always contact the source directly and refrain from clicking any links, downloading attachments, or entering personal data such as your credit card information without further confirmation. Keep in mind that malicious links can come from trusted friends who have been infected too, so you can never be too careful.

6.   Avoid Connecting To Public Wi-Fi

As convenient and cost-effective as connecting to public Wi-Fi may be, users are always advised to avoid connecting to public networks whenever possible. Unfortunately, connecting to public Wi-Fi, regardless if it’s in your favourite cafe, hotel, or school, is never truly risk-free, although the risks decrease significantly when using a virtual private network (VPN).

With that being said, even if you are using a VPN, you should still refrain from performing online banking transactions or making online purchases with your credit card when using a public Wi-Fi network, as cybercriminals can still potentially observe your connection in some capacity and perhaps even gain access to your bank accounts and sensitive information in the process.

To summarise, the best course of action is to only ever use a trusted private network, or if all else fails and you have no option but to use a public (unsecured) network, ensure you are using a VPN to avoid risking your security and safety when accessing the web.

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With all the dangers that await us online, it’s no wonder why cybersecurity is becoming a foremost concern for individuals, businesses, and corporations alike. We hope that today’s article has given you some valuable insight into how you can protect yourself by amping up your cybersecurity strategies as a businesswoman who’s living and working in the digital age.

How do you ensure your safety and security when browsing the web? Be sure to share your own cybersecurity tips and strategies in the comments section below!