The 21st century has brought with it a whole host of exciting technological developments. The smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, and a whole host of other gadgets and knick-knacks that make life just a little bit more exciting. And that isn’t even mentioning all the wonderful advancements made in medical science, transportation, and other important avenues of life.
Online Entertainment is on the Rise
One of the biggest branches of science and technology that has advanced in the 21st century is digital technology. The internet has progressed an incredible amount in such a short time. It is largely thanks to these advancements that we have luxuries like social media, online entertainment, streaming services, and of course iGaming.
iGaming, for those not in the know, is one of the rising industries. Online casinos and bookmakers have been making a ton of revenue recently, quickly becoming a multi-million-dollar industry. Nowadays, we have websites like CasinoSource, which locate the best and safest online casinos, and share them with an interested audience. Needless to say, online entertainment is thriving.
The Risks of the Digital Age
However, with the rise in online entertainment, also come the risks associated with it. Many of you will not be surprised to find out that cybercrime is on the rise. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s internet crime division (the IC3), have reported that cybercrime has gone up 400% in the 21st century.
To a degree, this is understandable. The development of digital technology also enables for developments that help in circumventing cybersecurity. For many, the rise of cybercrime is part and parcel for living in the 21st century. Besides, most people believe that they can never fall victim to cybercrime.
However, this line of thinking is often dangerous, as it makes us more vulnerable to cybercrimes. We believe cyberattacks are something that happens to big businesses, and don’t take the proper measures to protect ourselves from these attacks. So, in this article, we would like to discuss the importance of cybersecurity, and what steps you can take to protect yourself from anyone meaning you harm.
The Importance of Cybersecurity
The biggest reason why you should take measures to protect yourself has to do with your own private, financial security. Popular culture has painted a rather inaccurate depiction of hackers. In most media, they are presented as misfits who just want to have fun and mess with your computer. In reality, however, most cybercrime leads to some serious consequences.
Malware attacks are the most common form of cybercrime. What this entails is hackers getting you to download harmful software, so that they can get a hold of your data, and use it without your knowledge. In other words, if you’ve shared any notable bit of information about yourself or your finances, hackers will get a hold of it. Meaning they could, conceivably get a hold of your bank statements, your credit card numbers, and from there, your finances.
So, something as seemingly innocuous as a malware attack could lead to terrible consequences, like identity theft or worse. So, the question we now have to ask is this: What can you do to protect yourself? In the rest of the article, we will list a couple of steps you can take to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
Take the Simple Steps
Certainly, you are already aware of the simple steps you can take to remain safe. The most notable good advice you will get regarding cybersecurity is “Think before you click.” In other words, don’t click just any link that pops up on your screen. More often than not, they are not to be trusted, and can lead to harmful software infesting your PC.
Another common piece of advice is to diversify your passwords. What this means is simple. Rather than using the same username + password combo on every website, diversify your passwords. More importantly, pick out strong passwords. Common passwords to be avoided are birthdays, first names, names of loved ones, etc. The best possible option is a random assortment of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Research the New Technology
In the quest to combat cybercrime, tech developers keep coming up with brand new ways to protect innocent users. In 2022, a lot of exciting new technologies hit the scene, which are expected to help the battle against cybercrime.
Developments in AI and HPC are a big aspect of the fight against cybersecurity. Artificial Intelligence is being programmed to respond to attacks and breaches, and it does so faster and faster with each passing year. So much so, that some businesses are already learning how AI can help in supporting their cybersecurity.
Use Anti-Viruses but Don’t Rely on Them
An anti-virus or a firewall will certainly help out in preventing phishing attacks, Trojans or spyware. It is of utmost importance that every PC has these tools to protect itself from any external attacks. However, it is also important to keep in mind that modern hacking has found ways to circumvent these defenses. So, while you absolutely should get your hands on an anti-virus or a firewall, it is also important to remember that you shouldn’t rely on them entirely.
VPNs are of Great Help
Virtual private networks are of great help when it comes to securing your data. For those that don’t know, VPNs spread your private network across a host of public networks anywhere in the world. In doing so, they make it much more difficult to trace your IP address and your location. Apart from a cybersecurity element, VPNs also have the added benefit of circumventing region-locked data. Meaning, a US-resident could comfortably get ahold of content from anywhere in the world.
Of course, many VPNs require a subscription, and monthly payment. And while we absolutely believe that the investment is worth your while, we also can say that there are a ton of free-to-use VPNs that provide the same service. So, if you are not willing to fork over the cash, you can always go the free route.
Conclusion
Digital security should be one of our biggest concerns in the 21st century. We hope that this article has shed some light on the dangers of cybercrime, and has helped you improve your own digital security.
