Our modern society thrives on connectivity and instant results. This has been brought about by the internet age where we can gain instant access to any information that we might need at the click of a button.
The internet has brought us a new level of convenience, however, it also comes with some risks. In recent years we have seen a major increase in cybercrime as more people spend time on their devices.
If you want to keep your devices secure you must use proper cybersecurity tools. You should make sure to use premium cybersecurity tools as free software won’t offer the best protection against cybercrime. It might be tempting to use free cybersecurity tools, and some of them are helpful, but you should read on to see why it is best to avoid them.
Why You Need Cybersecurity Software
Cybercrime has been on the rise in recent years. There has been a sudden spike in cyberattacks which has caused many people to fall victim to scams. Unfortunately this has cost many victims a lot of money.
The reason for this sudden surge in cybercrime is simple. Firstly, more and more people are starting to use devices. Technology has become an integral part of our modern society, and whether it’s for work or entertainment, having a device of some form is crucial.
Another reason why there is a sudden spike in cybercrime is because there are more people spending time online. Ever since the global lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have been using their devices to work remotely or to keep themselves entertained.
With more people spending time on their devices and with more people spending time online, there are more victims for cybercriminals to target. Overall, people who are new to owning a device are not aware of the dangers they might be facing online. In addition, they also don’t have a full understanding of how to keep their devices protected from cybercriminals.
It’s crucial that you learn about cybercrime and how to protect your devices from it if you want to stay safe online. No one is truly safe from cybercrime unless they take the right precautionary measures on their devices and become a more difficult target for cybercriminals to take advantage of.
Why You Should Use Premium Cybersecurity Software
It is crucial to avoid free cybersecurity software at all costs. There are several reasons for this, and ultimately it is simply not worth the risk when you have important personal data and information on your device.
The first reason to consider is that free cybersecurity tools have several drawbacks that might affect the privacy and security that your device gets. Free software often has limited features, for example, time limits for how long you can use them for.
Another important factor to consider with free software is the possibility of installing fraudulent software on your device. Fraudulent software is a fake cybersecurity tool that has been developed by cybercriminals that help them to infiltrate unsuspecting victims’ devices.
While the victim believes that they are installing software on their device that will protect them, they are actually putting their device even more at risk. Once rogue software has been installed on your device, it will install several different types of malware on your device.
Overall it is not worth the risk to install free software on your device. You might be saving money by not paying for cybersecurity tools, however, your device is more at risk when it comes to cyberthreats which could end up costing you even more money.
Which Cybersecurity Tools do You Need?
There are so many cybersecurity tools to choose from. For the average person, it can be extremely overwhelming to research all of these tools to understand what each one does and why it is important. Luckily, we’re here to break each one down for you and make it simple and easy to understand.
Antivirus software
One of the most dangerous methods of attacks used by cybercriminals is malicious software. Malicious software is also known as malware, and it can include dangerous forms of software such as viruses, spyware, and even ransomware. The best protection against malware is premium antivirus software. Antivirus software will constantly scan your device for any malware, and if any type of malware has been detected on your device, the antivirus can take action to remove it.
Firewall
Many people might think that a firewall is the same as antivirus software, however, there is an important difference between the two. Antivirus software can detect and remove malware from your device, whereas a firewall can block “suspicious or unknown packets” (data and traffic) from entering your device through the internet. However, a Firewall does not make the antivirus software redundant. In fact, if you want maximum security on your device it is recommended that you use both of these tools in conjunction with one another.
VPN
A VPN or virtual private network is important for your device’s privacy and security. A VPN is able to encrypt your internet connection, making it safer to use. An internet connection that is encrypted will mask your location and what you do on your device. This means that no one will be able to track your location, monitor your internet traffic, or snoop through your browsing history. Not even your internet service provider will be able to keep track of your internet traffic.
Password manager
The most important aspect of keeping your accounts safe is using strong and unique passwords. This means creating passwords without using any of your personal information. If you’re following these rules and creating strong and unique passwords for your accounts, they might become difficult to keep track of or remember. Don’t use the default password manager on your smartphone or internet browser as these can be breached by a cybercriminal who will then have access to all your login credentials. Instead, use a premium third-party password manager. These are locked by a master key that only you have access to.
