9 New Year’s Resolutions for Cybersecurity in 2020

It’s already late into the old year, and the new year is just a few days away. Among the standard practices in a new year is setting new year resolutions, people intend to adopt to improve many parts of their lives.

While planning out new year resolutions, common items on the list may be getting to know a few new places, buying a new car, or losing a few pounds in weight. However, many see no need in setting new year’s resolutions for cybersecurity. As more activities continue to take place on the internet, there is a strong need for new year’s resolutions in cybersecurity.

Except one is well versed with cybersecurity, writing new year’s resolutions for cybersecurity might seem like a burdensome task. The article lists nine new year’s resolutions that should make everyone’s list next year for a cyber-safe year.

Here are nine great cybersecurity resolutions that everyone should not only add to their new year’s resolutions but religiously adopt.

1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager

As almost all digital devices and accounts are locked with some password. It is a good idea to use strong, long, and uneasily guessed passwords. A secure password generator can help generate a strong password. It is normal to experience difficulty in committing strong passwords to memory. A password manager can help in this situation. 

A password manager stores all passwords in a private space, so when the password is needed, the password manager is unlocked. This saves the stress of cramming multiple passwords. Using strong passwords, different for every website, and stored in a password manager would make an excellent cybersecurity revolution for 2020.

2. Enable Two-Factor-Authentication (2FA) in all Online Accounts

Two-Factor-Authentication is a new trend in digital security. It is an extra layer of protection added to online accounts, so it is not accessible by a hacker, even with a password. To access an account secured with 2FA, another security check is performed, such as entering a code sent to a mobile phone. If this is not passed, access to the account is denied. This is important for security and should be adopted next year.

3. Taking Care While Using Public Wi-Fi

A free Wi-Fi hotspot that gives access to the internet for free is excellent, but also extremely risky. Information shared and received over a public Wi-Fi may be left unencrypted, and may lead to the compromise of digital information. Using mobile data seems to be a significant investment, and if there is any need for connection to a public Wi-Fi, a good VPN such as RitaVPN should be utilized for optimum security.

4. Updating Devices and Apps

Although this might be inconvenient sometimes, updating outdated apps and devices should be a top priority. Apart from delivering the latest physical features, updated apps, and devices also have updated security features. An outdated app or device is vulnerable to malware and exploits. Therefore, obsolete apps should not be tolerated for the new year 

5. Be More Careful with Emails

Email phishing is the most practiced attack at digital information because it’s so effective. It’s sad, however, that most email scams are easy to detect and are as a result of victims’ carelessness. Simple hacks, such as ascertaining the authenticity of the sender, and being careful with links can prevent email scam attacks. In 2020, extra security measures should be taken when handling electronic correspondence.

6. Limit Information Shared on Social Media

The social media is an open place. Unfortunately, most people think minimally before publishing information about themselves on social media. This is digital suicide and should be avoided. Making all photos private on social media is highly advisable, but it is best not to share any photos in the first place. Abstaining from unencrypted social media should be a top priority next year.

7. Use Only HTTPS Secured Websites

A good practice that should be adopted next year is using only websites secured with (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol) HTTPS. Using a website over HTTPS ensures encryption of data between the browser and the website servers. This shields private information from ISPs, hackers, or any party between the device and the server. Any new year’s resolutions are incomplete if digital security is not guaranteed. For optimum security, only websites with HTTPS should be used.

8. Use more secure instant messaging

Most of the instant messaging apps in use today lack end-to-end encryption. This means cyber crooks could gain access to the information shared over these platforms, putting digital security at risk. In the coming year, it is advised to switch from the less secure instant messaging apps to the more secure apps. Apps like Signal and WhatsApp are known for end-to-end encryption and should be used for daily activities.

9. Use RitaVPN

Lastly, and most importantly, digital security is impossible without a VPN. A VPN is like a tunnel in which the user information passes through before getting to the target server. The VPN encrypts the data before it gets to the website’s servers. A good VPN should be speedy, encrypt information, have multiple servers, and be very affordable.

For anyone previously without a VPN, 2020 is the perfect time for an upgrade. With its speedy servers and cheap plans, RitaVPN is undoubtedly the best choice for a VPN.

This is the end of the new year’s resolutions in cybersecurity for 2020. It is important to discuss cybersecurity issues with friends and relatives to make them see the need to switch to secure ways. Also, resolutions are not for making only. Resolving to religiously abide by the tenets of the new year’s resolution results in a digitally safe new year for all.