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Cybersecurity for Everyday Users: Steps To Protect Yourself

Cybersecurity for Everyday Users: Steps To Protect Yourself

By Sérgio F.Sérgio F. Verified by Mary P.Mary P. Last updated: February 1, 2025 (0)
Table of contents

According to Statista, cybercrime increased by 3194.85% between 2017 and 2023, and if this trend continues, it could end up costing the U.S. government $1.82 trillion by 2028.

Some might dismiss this as a problem for businesses, big corporations, or the government, but, in reality, this statistic also applies to each one of us individually. As global connections strengthen, we need to adapt our online security to stay in sync. Otherwise, we quickly become a cybercriminal’s favorite prey, risking falling victim to a cybercrime.

Cybersecurity for Everyday Users: Steps To Protect Yourself

Unfortunately, there are endless ways for them to reach us. The risks are everywhere, from phishing and malware to online scams and identity theft. While it’s impossible to guarantee our cyber safety even when taking appropriate measures, we can be proactive and reduce the chances of being targeted. Keep reading for answers to the following question: what can you do to protect yourself from cybercrimes?

Understand the risks you face online

Online risks for everyday users come in many shapes and sizes. As soon as we connect to the internet, we’re automatically prone to cyberattacks. It doesn’t matter what type of device you’re using: if it has an IP address, it can be hacked. This includes innovative electronics like wearables, lights, and thermostats, which can be used as an entry point to larger private networks.

Nonetheless, desktops, laptops, and smartphones present the biggest online threat. The entry points can vary from malicious downloads and weak passwords to unattended browser security risks.

Online security threat types
Threat Description Possible outcome Preventive measure
Phishing attack Impersonation of legitimate businesses or organizations via emails, texts, and websites. Unauthorized access to personal information like bank login credentials and credit card numbers, data breach, identity theft and financial loss. Verify sender’s authenticity, don’t click on links or attachments from unknown sources and use 2FA or MFA.
Malware Injection of malicious software on devices. Includes viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Data loss or corruption, file/device lock, device’s system damage and device’s performance degradation. Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware, keep systems updated and don’t download files from untrustworthy sources.
Password attack Password cracking using methods like brute force, credential stuffing, keylogging, and man-in-the-middle. Account takeover, data breach and identity theft. Use strong and unique passwords, implement 2FA or MFA and use a reliable password manager.
Social engineering Manipulation of individuals into revealing private information (eg. catfishing). Usually occurs via social media and dating apps. Financial loss, reputational damage, account takeover and identity theft. Be skeptical of unsolicited message requests, verify the person’s identity and don’t share confidential information.

10 simple cybersecurity steps to protect yourself online

Use complex passwords 🔒

Create unique and strong passwords for each account. Use a password manager to do this more efficiently while keeping track of all credentials. This is the most crucial tip on how to stay safe online.

Enable 2FA or MFA 🔑

Enable 2FA or MFA on all your accounts for an added layer of security. Make sure to pay special attention to accounts for banks, social media, and emails.

Don’t share personal information 👤

Be mindful about sharing private data online. Limit your exposure as much as possible, including on social media. Question any suspicious attempts by a third party to get personal details like address, phone number, and email.

Verify links before clicking 🔗

Stay alert to suspicious links sent to you via message, email, or social media. Hover over the link and check if the URL seems legitimate and matches the source it claims to be from. If you’re not sure, prioritize safety and do not click.

Use secure networks 🌐

Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots, especially if you plan on doing anything related to online banking or shopping. Prioritize private networks and consider using a reliable VPN solution.

Keep all software updated 🔄

Ensure your devices’ operating systems, software, and browsers are always up to date.

Review social media privacy settings ⚙️

Restrict access to your information across your social media and ensure that only selected people can view your posts, photos, and videos.

Log out of accounts ❌

Sign out of your accounts after using them, primarily when using public networks or shared devices.

Back up data 💾

Avoid losing all your data to a cyberattack by backing up your files using an external hard drive or an online backup service.

Use cybersecurity software 🛡️

Maximize your online security and leverage the power of software like Guardio. It offers real-time protection, defending you and your devices from malicious websites, harmful browser extensions, phishing attempts, and identity theft.

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The role of browser security in everyday cyber safety

The most common internet navigation method is via browsers, and considering this, it’s crucial to ensure the browser you are working with is always protected. Cybercriminals often rely on this entry point to exploit vulnerabilities and trick people into downloading malicious software via fraudulent ads or phishing websites.

To protect your browser, we recommend using an online security service like Guardio. This service offers a browser extension for cybersecurity and even mobile apps that proactively scan for threats while you roam the internet. It blocks harmful websites and unwanted pop-up notifications and offers identity theft protection. The icing on the cake is that it has a free version and lightning-fast setup.

Cybersecurity technology

How to recognize and respond to online threats

Regardless of what software you use to protect yourself and your data, the first line of defense against cyberthreats is ourselves. Being able to spot online threats is more important than any tool or software.

Online threats can appear via email, SMS, phone calls, websites, and social media, so it’s imperative to always be on the lookout and act whenever you notice red flags.

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Unfamiliar sender information

Phone numbers or emails may seem legitimate but, upon closer inspection, contain minor variations or misspellings (e.g. paypal.com vs paypals.com).

⚠️ Action: Double-check the sender’s email address, phone number, and the message’s source

Suspicious attachments and links

Phishing messages often contain suspicious links or attachments with malware. Look for any out-of-place links or attachments and confirm their authenticity by hovering the mouse over the link and confirming where it leads.

⚠️ Action: Do not click links or download files from unknown sources before verifying them.

Sense of urgency

Cybercriminals regularly use urgency and fear-based tactics to manipulate victims into providing personal information or clicking bad links (e.g., your account will be suspended in 24 hours if you don’t update your personal information).

⚠️ Action: Delete and disregard urgent and unexpected messages with demands from mysterious sources.

Out-of-the-blue message requests

Bad actors often message random people via email, SMS, and social media platforms in an effort to scam them. Usually, the scammers use a fake profile or impersonate an organization or business to appear legitimate.

⚠️ Action: Ignore all odd and sudden message requests from strangers, especially if they include links.

How to proceed if you have been victim to a cybercrime

1

Disconnect from the internet.

2

Scan the targeted device with an antivirus or antimalware software.

3

Change all your passwords.

The best advice for warding off cyberthreats is to combine knowledge of red flags with an online security service. For example, Guardio keeps its users’ online activities safe while silently working in the background. It offers browsing protection with real-time alerts, malicious extension detection, and search engine hijacking correction.

Your role in online safety: stay one step ahead

While businesses may lose the most to cyberattacks, individuals also need to be on the lookout for threats. All it takes to have your life disrupted by a cyberattack is clicking the wrong link. Due to this, everyday users must be proactive and take the necessary steps to keep cyber dangers at bay.

Fundamentally, online safety is for everyone and doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Understanding red flags and taking preventive measures, such as using a password manager, can significantly reduce the likelihood of security breaches.

Additionally, implementing cybersecurity tools like Guardio can further minimize these risks. Check out our extensive review of Guardio to know more about how it can help you enjoy a safer online experience.

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