If you've never been hacked before, you probably have a very glamorous idea of what it looks like.
Big companies being brought down by anonymous organizations. Criminals being caught by experts. Millions being stolen from financial services companies.
While these things do happen, the much more common form of hacking is rather less exciting. Hackers will get into your computer and find information about you, which they’ll use to target your credit cards. Or, they'll play the long game and try to scam you into giving them your money.
But even these types of hackers can make your life a misery. Identity theft is incredibly common, considering that we do everything online. It can lose you money, destroy your credit score, and ruin your reputation.
For this reason, it’s imperative you install the following protective software as soon as possible. You can find out the option that is right for you on Best Online Reviews.
1. Antivirus
This should be a no-brainer. We’ve known about malicious viruses for decades already, and while they're an easy way in, they should be easily prevented. A good antivirus is fundamental to your security. That may mean paying a subscription fee, but it’s well worth it.
People who use Macbooks have the impression that a Mac’s built-in software is good enough to prevent viruses. And it may well be. There’s a lot of debate about the subject online. Make sure to do your research so that you're not left vulnerable based on an assumption.
2. Virtual private network (VPN)
A virtual private network (VPN) is perhaps as crucial these days as antivirus software. All the time you're connected to the internet, your data is at risk. Your location is on display for anyone tech savvy to see, and personal information is up for grabs. This is what makes identity theft so common.
A VPN goes a long way towards protecting you from identity theft. It hides your location and encrypts your data, so that you're far more difficult to steal from than most other internet users. While VPNs are not foolproof, they are your best option, and most hackers will not bother with the extra effort, unless you're famous or have access to sensitive data in a big organization.
3. Password managers
A password manager is one of those things most people don’t think they need. You can simply let your internet browser remember your passwords, can’t you?
Well, password managers do a lot more than that. They create passwords for you, without you ever having to come up with something incredibly c0Mp1ex$. They ensure that these passwords are safe and changed relatively often. They're not just remembering the variations of your go-to password for you. They're making the login process as secure as it’s meant to be.
If you’re still using the same password over and over again, you're being incredibly irresponsible. But even if you're not, a password manager will save you time and effort, and improve your online security.