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The dynamic nature of the cybersecurity industry is always taking individuals and businesses by surprise. As new risks come and go, the biggest threats often tend to go unnoticed until when it’s too late.

To ensure you exercise good security practices, it is paramount that you stay informed about the newest trends. It’s also important to note that every individual and business is a target, regardless of the size.

Here are some of the cybersecurity risks that you may be overlooking.

Google Tracking your Online Purchases

You probably already know that Google keeps an eye on everything that you do on their apps, services, and devices, but you may not know just how far the tracking extends—into the purchases you make, the places you visit and much more.

Google keeps track of nearly all your online purchases thanks to purchasing receipts mailed to your personal Gmail accounts. Through this strategy, the company has collected a pile of purchasing data on its users including offline spending.

Privacy Risks That You May Be Overlooking

Google insists that it doesn’t use this data to serve us ads, but to improve its services—for instance helping you find a café similar to the ones you’ve liked before. Google also says that the page exists merely to help you view and keep tabs on your purchases easily.

While it’s no surprise that Google can read your emails, it’s hard to understand why this page was hidden away from view, practically unknown to most people who might have wanted to use it for the same exact reason.

Google Home Monitoring Users

We are all aware that Google Home collects information on users. The set-up also includes a multidirectional, two-microphone arrangement that enables it to tune into conversations in your home. In fact, some researchers have recently discovered a new threat on Google that could enable hackers to snoop on or even phish unsuspicious users.

By connecting a harmful piece of software masked as a non-dangerous Google action or Alexa skill, the research showed how someone could make the smart speakers to quietly record users or even trick them into giving their Google account password.

Using Incognito Mode to Hide your Browsing History

There are people who believe that browsing in incognito mode actually helps keep their browsing history private. Well, this is not true. Your employer, ISP, and even the government can still see your online activity even when browsing in incognito mode.

\Browsing in incognito only stops your browser from recording your online activity and saving cookies, but this information can be accessed by other interested parties.

Attacks on IoT Devices

Internet-connected thermostats, refrigerators, alarm systems, security cameras, and other IoT devices can save you money and give you the convenience you never imagined existed. But, IoT may also make you vulnerable to new attacks.

Most of the time, manufacturers are in a rush to get their products to the market that they tend to bypass certain security protections. Also, they (manufacturers) don’t offer long-term support, which leaves technologies exposed.

Mobile Malware

Unlike a few years back when an app was tested before it was released to the market, today’s app developers are third-party agencies with very little security knowledge and are bypassing the testing and checkpoints utilized in the past. What this means is that malicious mobile apps that end up in the market can slow down your phone and even snitch on the data stored on them.

If you happen to download such an app on a device containing your banking passwords, personal contacts, or other sensitive data, a venomous app can pose a major risk.

Ways to Protect your Privacy

There are several ways you can use to protect yourself from online risks.

Let’s look at some of them.

Use a VPN

The best way to protect yourself online is by downloading a reputable VPN. A VPN masks your IP address so your browsing history is virtually untraceable. Most importantly, a VPN establishes an encrypted and secure connection to offer greater privacy than even secured Wi-Fi networks.

Avoid Unsecured Public Wi-Fi

Encrypted Wi-Fi networks secure your data from interception, and protect your connection from unauthorized users. On the other hand, an unsecured Wi-Fi network doesn’t have security encryption.

One of the biggest risks when using unsecured Wi-Fi is network intrusion and data interception. Your login information, instant messages, and emails can all be intercepted when using unsecured W-Fi. So, it’s good to avoid these networks or use a VPN if you must use one.

Use Firewalls and Antivirus Programs

Firewalls are your first line of defense. This is a network security widget that tracks incoming and outgoing network to decide which traffic to allow and which one to block based on a specific set of security guidelines. Firewalls prevent harmful programs from entering your network or device and can also block data leakage.

Most routers and devices come with a built-in firewall, so ensure you turn them on.

Your second line of protection should be an antivirus program. It detects harmful software and blocks it.

Use Complex Passwords

The default passwords that come with your IoT devices are likely to expose you to hacking. Make sure you change these passwords to more complex ones. Also, ask your IT person to extend firewall protection to your smart devices to make it harder for hackers to break into them. If the manufacturer offers the option for checking automatic updates, make sure you enable that.

You can also keep checking the manufacturer’s site for updates and install them as they are made available.

As the number of internet users continues to increase, so do online privacy risks, including those that you might be overlooking. Online threats are inevitable but there are things you can do to minimize the risks and enjoy all that the internet has to offer.

First, make sure you download apps from trusted marketplaces like Google Play and Apple Store. Avoid public Wi-Fi as they are very vulnerable to hacking attempts, and use a VPN if you have to use one. Also, enable automatic updates on your devices, and routinely check for updates since obsolete systems make devices more susceptible to malware.

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