As digitalization increases globally, digital security threats are becoming a growing concern, and ways to deal with them are ever-important.
In an interview with Kiripost via Telegram, Nop Linda, Media and ICT Unit head of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), defined digital security as the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and digital information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
It involves the use of various techniques and technologies to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital data and systems.
Digital security is a critical aspect of modern technology and is essential for protecting sensitive information such as personal data, financial transactions, and intellectual property.
In today's digital age, it is more important than ever to take steps to protect your digital security.
“People must know about digital security because it protects us and our personal information, financial transactions, and we also can protect ourselves from someone who tries to access our account or devices to listen to our conversation on Facebook,” Linda said.
“It's necessary for people to know about digital security because currently many online attacks, threats, and online cheating happen every single day. It couldn’t happen to us today but maybe in the near future because many people are using the internet or are online in modern society,” she added.
In this modern age of digitalization, people cannot ignore digital security. Digital security is very important and when people are unaware of it, it can impact them and other online users. Moreover, those who use smartphones can be the victim of hackers.
For example, some people cannot create their own Facebook account, so they go to a phone shop or get someone else to help create an account. This means they already have that person’s password, and when they use it they do not know someone else can control their account.
“As far as we know, they use our account to loan money online or to borrow money from our siblings, relatives, and neighbors as well. This is currently already happening in our society,” she said.
Several common mistakes that people make that can compromise their digital security. For example, using a phone without a passcode or a weak password. This means when they lose their phone, people can access personal information.
Using weak passwords that are easy to guess is a common mistake, she said, adding that passwords should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Many people reuse the same password for multiple accounts, which can be dangerous if one account is compromised. It is important to use unique passwords for each account.
Phishing scams are designed to trick people into revealing their personal information. These scams often come in the form of emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources. It is important to be vigilant and not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
She added that clicking on suspicious links in emails or on social media can lead to malware infections or other cyber-attacks.
Failing to update software, especially operating systems and security software, can also leave devices vulnerable to cyber-attacks. She also noted that while using public Wi-F can be convenient, it is often not secure.
Public Wi-Fi networks often lack encryption, which means that data transmitted over it can be intercepted by cyber criminals. This can include sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers and personal information.
She said that sharing too much personal information on social media can make it easier for cyber criminals to target you with phishing scams or other attacks. To avoid these common mistakes, people can significantly improve their digital security and protect themselves from cyber threats.
This can be achieved by using strong passwords that are difficult to guess, and using a different password for each account. Strong passwords include a mix of lower and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols.
People should install and regularly update antivirus software to protect against malware and other malicious software.
And people should be cautious of suspicious emails that ask for personal information or contain suspicious links or attachments. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Linda also advises enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible. This provides an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
“Following these steps, individuals can greatly reduce their risk of falling victim to digital security threats,” Linda concluded.
