Why Should Digital Security Concern You?
Getting hacked or compromised is not fun to deal with. The definition of getting hacked is simply having your devices or personal information compromised to someone you did not authorize it to. While it is cool watching hackers in movies get through firewalls in a few seconds, this is not what modern hacking looks like. In fact, getting hacked is much easier than one would hope.
As we increasingly become more online, staying safer online is a growing concern we should all be aware of. With almost 1 in 3 Americans being hacked, the odds are not stacked in our favor. With almost 80% of us shopping online, having the best digital security practices in place can protect you against most of the threats out there. While no security solution is perfect, we can greatly reduce the chances of getting hacked with just a few tricks.
What Are Hackers After?
While the majority of us are not undercover super-spies, our information can be quite valuable to hackers on the dark web. Hacked credentials are often sold online in bulk to the highest bidder -resulting in identity theft. There are many ways we can prevent ourselves from getting hacked, but it is important to note that no solution will be entirely bulletproof. One of the most important ways we can prevent ourselves from getting hacked is to have the right frame of mind when it comes to online activity.
Software Doesn’t Protect Against Everything
While it is a good idea to have some form of anti-malware on your systems, it does not prevent every single threat. For instance, you could be the victim of a zero-day attack that has not been recorded by your anti-malware. You could also be the victim of a data breach -even though companies should be using the latest and greatest security. These hacked accounts are often a large target for these malicious agents.
One of the most common ways hackers can breach your systems is to rely on users’ poor online habits. In fact, 97% of attacks are targeted to exploit you, not the software.
While we can’t protect against many attack, there are things we can do to keep ourselves safer online -that doesn’t involve complex software. We can keep ourselves from getting hacked by preventing hackers from using ourselves against us.
Protecting Yourself From Hackers
1. Make It Difficult For Hackers To Steal Your Information
Since most of us rely on cloud services, we have no choice but to trust the companies that handle our information. While these companies should use the best security practices available, this does not always stop internal and advanced threats. If your information is compromised, hackers could potentially use your profile to attack your accounts from other sites. This can become devastating if they can access your banking or work information.
The best way to protect against these threats is to use different passwords for different websites. Hackers can guess which other services you use and try the same username/password combination. This common practice cannot be stopped by any security software, however, it takes just a few moments for you to change your passwords.
2. Device Protection
There are many great products out there that’ll keep your devices secure. Everything from mobile malware detection/removal apps to phone encryption, device protection is paramount for comprehensive security. One thing we often don’t consider is our devices being stolen. Thieves often target our gadgets because they can resell them for a large profit. However, they can also gain access to your device and steal your personal information as well.
3. Protect Against Social Engineering
Social engineering is a technique hackers often employ to trick you into giving them access to something of yours. Often times, hackers will pose as a trustworthy individual and try to get you to do something. This can range from technical support you did not request all the way to “you friend” asking you for money. One general rule of thumb is if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
If you know the person that is contacting you, you should reach out to them in person or on another device to see if the request is legit. Keep in mind that there is almost always a sense of urgency with these requests; so take your time to understand what is being asked before you instinctively do what they want. If it seems sketchy, it is best to ignore social engineering attempts all together.
4. Change Your Router Password
While having a password to protect your network is crucial, there are tools that can easily bypass this protocol. Another step you can take to protect your home network from quick attacks is to change the router password. By doing this, you prevent hackers who may have breached your network from getting access to your router. If they were able to gain access to your router, they could alter the network settings and kick you off your own home network.
This password is usually a factory default that does not get changed -even with your network. You can log into your router through a web browser using the factory account and change the password. Be sure you record the new password in a safe location.
5. Create A Digital Security Strategy
While we can easily prevent attacks from happening by using our common-sense and safe browsing habits, there are still quite a few attacks that can compromise our personal and professional life. This is why we created our Staying Safe Online course.
This course not only provides you the tools necessary to identify threats in your personal life, but also employ effective solutions that protect against the vast majority of threats we see today.

You should prioritize your digital security plan, whether you take our course or develop your own.
Final Take-Aways
Hackers are a threat that you should be aware of. Whether you are online or have information online, hackers are constantly after your information and will attempt to take it in a plethora of ways. Staying vigilant and using your common-sense and the techniques we discussed will significantly reduce the chances of getting hacked.
As you upgrade your defenses, there are plenty of software suites available to help keep you safe. There are several companies that make great programs like anti-malware and VPNs to mitigate your risk from attacks online. It may be confusing getting into digital security, but it is an essential thing to protect your hard-earned assets. At R U Coding Me, we are proud to offer personalized solutions for digital security. If you need a more comprehensive solution for your business, feel free to contact us for a quote!

Founder and CEO of R U Coding Me LLC. Jacob obtained his Bachelor’s of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida. He likes to go to the gym and teach people about technology.