We all enjoy using the internet, but the internet monitors everything we do. Everyone needs to take safety precautions to protect data and information. Over 90% of our daily activities take place online. Think about what would happen if the internet disappeared for a single day. No doubt, businesses, and individuals will suffer significant losses. Security awareness is essential since attackers are becoming more sophisticated every day.

Here are some measures you may take to make sure you have excellent online hygiene.

1. Don’t take the bait: Always hover over the URL in your email before clicking.
2. Type the actual web address into the browser: Don’t click on unknown links in your emails.
3. Don’t use the same password everywhere: Use different passwords for different accounts.
4. Use a password manager: store passwords in a password manager
5. Configure MFA authentication: Set up MFA and do not use one-time passcode, use an MFA app such as DUO, Google Authenticator, or others.
6. Update devices when an update is available: Always update devices when new patches are released.
7. Do not enter financial information on websites that are not secured: Look out for the HTTPS and not just the HTTP.
8. Lock credit or debit card:  Lock your cards if you suspect a suspicious transaction and do not shop online with a debit card
9. Protect personal information with the use of a strong password
10. Keep the browsers up to date: older versions don’t usually have updated protection in place.
11. Keep passwords out of your browser: Always Disable autofill.
12. Change Wi-Fi passwords regularly and do not trust public Wi-Fi- Use a VPN all the time to encrypt traffic both at home and in public places.
13. Back up personal data.

We live in the information age; the most expensive commodity is no longer crude oil but information; therefore, “the bad guys” would do anything to have access to people’s information for monetary gains and other purposes. Allowing the wrong person to know things about you can cause incredible damage. Before you take any action online, stop, think, observe, and act.