How to keep safe online
Security software, processes, and systems are not enough to beat cybercriminals.
While South Africa is one of only 28 countries to have a cybersecurity policy in place, the country has been victim to the most cyberattacks on the continent in 2015.
The country loses in excess of R2.2 billion to Internet fraud and phishing attacks annually, according to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre.
Cybercrime, overall, costs the country around R5.8 billion annually.
Eleanor Mitrovich Potter
The biggest threat to personal cybersecurity is our online behaviour, said Eleanor Mitrovich Potter, consumer executive at Autopage.
“The Internet provides incredibly useful tools and it’s near impossible not to participate in online activities, but there are no rules of engagement,” she said.
Here are Mitrovich Potter’s 7 tips to protect yourself from cybercrime:
- Protect your phone with antivirus software/apps.
- Consider the consequences of social media posts, both from a reputation and security perspective.
- Only use location services when necessary.
- Change passwords regularly and use alphanumeric characters and symbols.
- Beware of unsecured Wi-Fi networks – use a Virtual Private Network if you must connect.
- Be suspicious of emails from strangers or strange emails from friends – call them to check before you open them and click on links.
- If you shop online, use a secure payment mechanism such as PayPal, rather than providing credit card details to a range of outlets.
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