Protecting Yourself

Discover the eight most common online security risks

The best way to protect yourself online is to learn the most common security risks users face, along with the strategies to protect yourself from them. By understanding these risks and implementing protective strategies, you can significantly enhance your online security and reduce the likelihood of falling victim to cyber threats. Check out the Resources area for access to additional education and free training.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing involves deceptive emails or messages designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

Protection Strategies:

  • Educate Yourself: Learn to recognise phishing attempts. Look for suspicious email addresses, poor grammar, and unexpected requests for personal information.
  • Use Spam Filters: Enable spam filters in your email settings to help block phishing emails.

2. Malware

Malware includes viruses, ransomware, and spyware that can infect devices like PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones and compromise data on them or be accessed over the Internet.

Protection Strategies:

  • Install Antivirus Software: Use reputable antivirus software and keep it updated to detect and remove malware.
  • Avoid Untrusted Downloads: Only download software from official websites or trusted sources.

3. Open WIFI Networks

Connecting to unsecured public WIFI can expose users to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet connection, making it safer to use public WIFI.
  • Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Refrain from accessing sensitive accounts or entering personal information when connected to open networks.

4. Brute Force Attacks

These attacks involve systematically guessing passwords to gain unauthorised access to accounts.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Change them regularly.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just the password.

5. Social Engineering

Attackers manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information through psychological tactics.

Protection Strategies:

  • Verify Requests: Always verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information, especially if the request seems unusual.
  • Educate Employees: For businesses, conduct regular training on recognising social engineering tactics.

6. Data Breaches

Unauthorised access to sensitive data can lead to identity theft and financial loss.

Protection Strategies:

  • Monitor Accounts Regularly: Keep an eye on bank statements and online accounts for unauthorised transactions or changes.
  • Use Unique Passwords for Different Accounts: This limits the damage if one account is compromised.

7. Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts files on a device and demands payment for decryption keys.

Protection Strategies:

  • Regular Backups: Keep up-to-date backups of important files on external drives or secure cloud services.
  • Avoid Suspicious Links: Be cautious about clicking links in emails or messages from unknown sources.

8. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

Attackers intercept communication between two parties to steal data or inject malicious content.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use HTTPS Websites: Ensure that websites you visit use HTTPS, which indicates that the connection is secure.
  • Avoid Public WIFI for Sensitive Activities: Use cellular data or a VPN when accessing sensitive information in public spaces.

Phishing involves deceptive emails or messages designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

Protection Strategies:

  • Educate Yourself: Learn to recognise phishing attempts. Look for suspicious email addresses, poor grammar, and unexpected requests for personal information.
  • Use Spam Filters: Enable spam filters in your email settings to help block phishing emails.

Malware includes viruses, ransomware, and spyware that can infect devices like PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones and compromise data on them or be accessed over the Internet.

Protection Strategies:

  • Install Antivirus Software: Use reputable antivirus software and keep it updated to detect and remove malware.
  • Avoid Untrusted Downloads: Only download software from official websites or trusted sources.

Connecting to unsecured public WIFI can expose users to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet connection, making it safer to use public WIFI.
  • Avoid Sensitive Transactions: Refrain from accessing sensitive accounts or entering personal information when connected to open networks.

These attacks involve systematically guessing passwords to gain unauthorised access to accounts.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Change them regularly.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just the password.

Attackers manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information through psychological tactics.

Protection Strategies:

  • Verify Requests: Always verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information, especially if the request seems unusual.
  • Educate Employees: For businesses, conduct regular training on recognising social engineering tactics.

Unauthorised access to sensitive data can lead to identity theft and financial loss.

Protection Strategies:

  • Monitor Accounts Regularly: Keep an eye on bank statements and online accounts for unauthorised transactions or changes.
  • Use Unique Passwords for Different Accounts: This limits the damage if one account is compromised.

Ransomware encrypts files on a device and demands payment for decryption keys.

Protection Strategies:

  • Regular Backups: Keep up-to-date backups of important files on external drives or secure cloud services.
  • Avoid Suspicious Links: Be cautious about clicking links in emails or messages from unknown sources.

Attackers intercept communication between two parties to steal data or inject malicious content.

Protection Strategies:

  • Use HTTPS Websites: Ensure that websites you visit use HTTPS, which indicates that the connection is secure.
  • Avoid Public WIFI for Sensitive Activities: Use cellular data or a VPN when accessing sensitive information in public spaces.