Covid-19 we all know this pandemic and almost every country today has partially or completely locked down and people are restricted to stay at home. In the last few weeks, we have witnessed the highest levels of online streaming of all time, as millions of people who usually socialize outside and in institutions are forced to stay home. This will undoubtedly put streaming video services under tremendous pressure and could delay service delivery, forcing users to look for alternative ways to access online content.
However, diverting from the secure portals of our favourite legitimate video, movie, gaming and other content services will put us directly in the hands of cybercriminals and leave consumers vulnerable to attack. As tempting as it is to find alternative sources of content, online essay help advises users to be patient and stick to reliable online video sources, and to follow safe streaming tips:
- Stick to reliable sources, i.e. services that you subscribe to, not random sources, by double-checking the URL or spelling of your business name before downloading anything from any site. False websites may look like real ones, but there are always anomalies to help you notice the difference.
- Note the download extension. If you download episodes of a TV show, the file should not end with the .exe extension.
- Watch the torrents you use, read the comments. If the comments are not related to the content, you are probably browsing for malware.
- Protect the devices you use for streaming and make sure you apply updates to your operating system and applications.
- Do not click on links that promise early viewing of content unless they are on trusted websites.
- Use a credit card, not a debit card, if possible for the payments you make, and don’t choose the option to save your credit card information to the sites you pay for. Use a unique and complex password for each of your online accounts.
When shopping online
Being unable or unwilling to leave home creates a greater demand for online shopping services as people strive to buy food, entertainment and other things online. This, combined with boredom shopping and special offers from retailers, means that the threat of cybercriminals is increasing. Therefore, we advise consumers to be extra vigilant and remember these tips when shopping online and opening emails from online retailers:
- Watch out for deals that look “too good to be true” – that’s how fraud is masked.
- Enter the URL in your browser to visit the website instead of clicking the links in the emails.
- Check for the padlock sign and HTTPS symbols in the site address when paying.
- Use a credit card rather than a debit card for additional payment protection.
- Never save your card details on a website.
- Protect devices used for shopping and remember to apply updates to avoid vulnerabilities.
- Use a unique, complex password for each of your online accounts
How to protect yourself from fake news
False news is not new; we see it affecting significant events, but during national and global crises the impact of the spread of false news is more dangerous and tangible. At this time, it is especially important to pay attention to the source and validity of the information before sharing it or taking any action in this regard. The dissemination of fake news will only delay and confuse governments’ efforts to disseminate useful and relevant information and advice to citizens. Therefore, we recommend that people take extra care to verify the information they trust and share so that it does not help spread the problem. It is not difficult to follow simple rules:
- Only trust reliable, trusted news sites
- Check the veracity of the information transmitted by word of mouth or in chats such as WhatsApp and social media. It’s quite simple to do – look for information on a reliable news site
- If you cannot confirm the information, think before you share it and be responsible for the information you transmit or forward
To Workers and Home Learners:
Educational institutions and jobs are being closed around the world for as long as necessary, requiring remote networking of companies and schools.
Many people have to work remotely for the first time. This, combined with opportunistic cybercrime attacks that exploit people’s fears, can create the perfect environment for cybercrime.
Working or learning from home can seem daunting, especially for those who are accustomed to relying on IT support in the office. Connecting remotely to school or work networks offers flexibility, where and how we work, but can also put us at additional risk to security. Following a few basic steps can help everyone be safe online and make the most of online lessons or remote access.
- Protect all devices with a reputable Internet security product, including mobile devices, smartphones.
- Always apply the latest updates to your operating systems and applications as soon as they become available.
- Use only applications from trusted sources, e.g. Google Play, the App Store, or the verified training portal you use or those provided by your company or educational institute.
- Use only trusted networks for online activities, especially WiFi. If it’s not your network and you need to work online, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to secure your connection.
- Always enter web addresses yourself. Do not click links or attachments or reply to unsolicited messages.
- Back up your data regularly to an external device that is not connected to the Internet so that you do not lose the files you worked on.
To IT Managers:
IT departments globally are facing the biggest challenges right now, as we see an unprecedented number of people remotely connecting to corporate networks. They put additional pressure on the already complicated IT security infrastructure. As a device moves beyond the organization’s network infrastructure and connects to new wireless networks, the risks become greater and more varied. Kaspersky provides some simple steps that these organizations can take:
- The staff members must be given VPN to connect securely to your corporate network
- There must be an appropriate security software for all corporate devices like mobile phones and laptops. The software must provide security in case of snatching or any loss of that devices by simply deleting all the important personal and work data and limit some applications from installation.
- Always apply the latest OS and application updates
- There must be restriction to access people rights who are the part of this corporate network.
