TL:DR – Ten great tips to protect yourself online.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as your name or birthdate, in your passwords.
- Enable two-factor (or multi-factor)authentication on any accounts that support it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password. Opt for an authenticator app if possible rather than relying on SMS.
- Keep your operating system and all software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that fix known vulnerabilities.
- Be cautious when clicking on links in emails or messages, especially if they are from unfamiliar sources. This is a common way for hackers to spread malware.
- Use antivirus software and keep it up to date. This will help protect your computer from known viruses and malware.
- Be careful about what information you share on social media and other public platforms. Hackers can use this information to gain access to your other accounts.
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks. Avoid accessing sensitive information, such as online banking, on these networks as they can be vulnerable to hackers.
- Use a password manager to store your passwords securely. This will help you to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts and avoid reusing passwords.
- Be aware of phishing attempts and how to identify them. Phishing is a tactic used by hackers to trick you into providing personal information or login credentials.
- Regularly backup important data and files. This will ensure that you don’t lose your data in case of a cyber-attack or a device failure.
- Bonus tip: Use a VPN (virtual private network) service when accessing the internet from a public network. This will encrypt your internet connection and help protect your personal information from hackers.
- Another bonus tip: Disable notifications that might appear on your phone, so that a third party cannot see the contents of messages, such as PIN numbers sent to you as part of enabling tip number 2!
The first eleven tips above were suggested by ChatGPT, number 12 I added myself, I then asked it for more, slightly more advanced tips, to bring us up to 20!
- Be careful when downloading and installing software or apps, especially from third-party sources. Only download software or apps from reputable sources and be sure to read reviews and check for any red flags before installing.
- Use a firewall to protect your computer from unauthorized access. A firewall is a software or hardware security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
- Use encryption to protect sensitive information. Encryption is the process of converting plain text into a coded format that can only be read by authorized parties.
- Be aware of social engineering tactics. Social engineering is a method of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging sensitive information. Examples include phone phishing, pretexting, baiting, and quid pro quo.
- Be mindful of your online activity and take steps to protect your privacy. Be aware of the information you share online and limit the amount of personal information that is publicly available.
- Be aware of the risks associated with public charging stations and USB drives. These can be used to spread malware or steal personal information.
- Regularly review your account activity and financial statements. This will help you detect any unauthorized activity on your accounts and take action as soon as possible.
- Be aware of the risks associated with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT devices such as smart cameras, thermostats, and doorbells can be vulnerable to hacking, so be sure to secure them properly.
FYI The initial prompt I gave to ChatGPT was the following, you can craft similar types of prompts asking it to act as almost any kind of expert, novelist, songwriter, computer programmer etc
I want you to act as a cyber security specialist with experience at all levels of security, privacy and protection of computer systems. You are aware of emails, social media, phishing attacks, malware, and viruses in detail. I need you to devise a scheme for protecting a non-expert individual from hackers and crackers and other malicious actors. The advice should be comprehendable by a lay person but also provide sufficient information that they can quickly get started to make sure their computer, email, social media and other systems without turning to others for help.