The shift of companies towards remote work, digital transformation and the increase in the use of the internet brings with it an increase in security breaches that expose companies and users to cyber attacks. In 2021 alone, more than 2.1 million unique files related to phishing campaigns were detected in Latin America, 31% more than in 2020, according to ESET data.
On the occasion of International Safe Internet Day, many organizations take the opportunity to raise awareness about the correct and responsible use of the Internet. For this reason, Gustavo Chapela, director of KIO Cyber Security at KIO Networks, mentions some tips that users should take into account to reinforce their digital security:
● Be careful: In principle, we should only answer SMS messages, WhatsApp, email or any other application from whom we know, if they are anonymous messages or from sources that we do not recognize, because we do not even need to consult or open them. “That would be the main problem for users, identity theft is definitely the most important problem for users in general,” emphasizes Chapela.
● Keep equipment up-to-date: Having an up-to-date antivirus program on your computer, mobile phone or tablet is essential to protect information. This also includes updating the programs and operating systems of your devices.
● Protect passwords: It is ideal to use password managers, such as KEEPASS, 1password and many more, which allow you to manage passwords preferably, if possible one that is stored in the cloud so that it is not necessary to write it down on paper and then forget it .
● Browse safely: It is important that users are responsible when browsing the internet, for example, not using the work computer for personal matters, if we are going to make an online purchase, make sure that the page is reliable and use digital certificates, verifying that the address or URL starts with “https”, if we see a suspicious page the best we can do is close the page and not try to investigate.
○ In the case of minors, it is recommended that parents are aware of what they do on the Internet and teach them about the risks that exist online. Above all,
warn them not to enter unknown sites, much less reply to emails with suspicious messages.
● Know the security processes of the applications: It is common for cybercriminals to clone profiles on social networks or pages. If there is any type of online identity theft within a social network, it is essential to follow the application’s security processes, to verify identity, be able to change passwords and if the application allows it, enable 2FA “double factor authentication” as a additional layer of security. On the other hand, if the situation is different and a profile has been cloned on another type of page, it is important to first talk to the institution or company that is responsible for that account and ask them to cancel or change the password.
The internet has become an essential tool in the digital age, this has motivated criminals to carry out illegal activities through this medium. In this sense, cybersecurity today is shown as the great ally of users, organizations and businesses of any kind to avoid online risks, therefore, the most important thing is to be advised and if possible seek the support of experts to protect our valuable information and not fall for deception.
