Aug 29, 2022
As the cost of living crisis intensifies something you’ll really want to avoid is becoming a victim of cyber crime.
Here are a few quick tips to stay safe.
First and most important - anytime you’re asked for a password - use a strong, secure one, don’t share it with anyone and don’t repeat it anywhere else.
Password manager apps can help keep things organised for you - they encrypt the actual password.
If you’re coming up with passwords yourself, 3 random objects with some numbers and a punctuation mark at the end is a good approach.
Next - anti virus software on your computer and your phone. If reading up on this stuff online is a confusing mess - ask the retailer you bought the device from for their recommendation.
You want something that roots out malicious files you’ve inadvertently downloaded but that doesn’t get in the way of the smooth running of your machine.
You might end up paying for this protection but it shouldn’t be expensive and even low level, free protection is better than nothing.
If you do end up with a virus or malware on your device doing a Google search and downloading a recommended ‘fix’ can sometimes make things worse. Many viruses are actually contained within these so called ‘solutions’ - it might be better to keep the device switched off, disconnected from the internet and use another device to get hold of an IT repair specialist.
And I always recommend turning on 2 step verification wherever you see it as an option.