Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and they are only likely to increase over the coming years. From both a personal and a professional point of view, we need to be able to defend ourselves from cyber attacks to keep our important data safe. Let's take a closer look at how we can best prevent them.

Why are We Seeing More Cyber Attacks?

One of the first reasons why we are seeing more cyber attacks is simply because there are more people online than ever before. This creates more opportunities for those who wish to engage in cybercriminal activities. Where they might have once struggled to find someone who had the weaker defences needed to break through, there is now more of a chance that they will be able to track down someone who has a computer or network that is not properly protected.

This is especially true in the world of business. It is rare to find a company that does not rely on its computers in some way for its operations. Even retail units and other small businesses will need to have some sort of computer system to track appointments, stock or asset management, and a wide variety of other functions. However, smaller businesses might not be able to afford the high levels of security that a nationwide brand will – and this leaves them vulnerable and open to cyber attacks.

This is unlikely to change soon, and we therefore need to make sure that we are committed to preventing cyber attacks as best as we can. Let's take a closer look at some of the changes you could make.

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Use a VPN

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a great option when trying to prevent cyber attacks. According to this article, 2020 saw a rise in people working from home but still needing to access documents and other resources in the company's network. This led to a rise in Cloud VPN usage, especially as many people were having to work on home devices rather than ones provided to them by the company.

Making use of a VPN in your everyday internet browsing is a good habit to get into. Gamers also find value in VPNs for everything from private-server-based games like Rust to massive-multiplayers like Fortnite. One of the main functions of a VPN is to mask your IP address so you are not traceable through your online actions. Whether you are browsing from home or from a public Wi-Fi space, you are going to be able to protect your device more effectively than if you were to be without one. A VPN provides much-needed encryption and privacy on what might otherwise be an unsecured network, protecting your data and keeping you safe from prying eyes.

Anti-Virus

You need to make sure that you have some sort of anti-virus software on your machine. In this day and age, not having one is foolish as they offer far too much protection to be ignored. There are plenty of free and subscription options out there so you should be able to find one that works best for you in terms of cost. Even a free anti-virus has a comprehensive layer of protection that will be able to protect your device.

Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways in which they plant cookies, viruses, and infections on a computer. An anti-virus is a key line of defence against that, and regular scans will help to prevent your computer from becoming infected.

Know What to Look For

Often, preventing cyber attacks in an issue of education. We need to make sure that we adequately understand what needs to be done to identify and defend against cyber attacks. Careless mistakes such as weak passwords, clicking dodgy links, and responding to strange emails can all be incredibly costly.

We need to make sure that we fully understand some of the basics when fighting against cyber attack, and if we have employees then it is vital that they understand too. Learning how to conduct yourself online and how to spot a potential cyber attack will give you the skills to get out of a situation that could end badly for you.

Cyber attacks will only get more sophisticated, but luckily the defences for them will also only get better. Therefore, it is important that we all do our bit to learn how to defend ourselves from such attacks. Though a link or a website might appear innocent enough, they might be dummies for something much more malignant. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have the knowledge and protections in place to help defend your devices and your data. Analyse your current set-up now, and consider making changes if you think it is a bit weak. There is always going to a new practice you can introduce.