You cannot focus on one side of your online security and achieve adequate security.
We are just as secure as our weakest link. For instance; Ignoring the security of the email address connected to your bank account is as well as ignoring the security of your bank account.
Most times it is through the weak links that hackers get at us. Through those areas where we have lowered the guard of our security.
Knowing what we should protect is a very important aspect of our internet security.
Below are five common internet mistakes you should avoid;
1. Registering a Dormant Email For Online Security Alert
Due to the high demand for email during online account creation; many now create an email account just to fulfill registration requirements and never care to check their mailbox again after the registration.
Leaving a dormant email in an active account is a very bad security decision to make. This is because the majority of online platforms use the email attached to an account for security alert notification.
Protecting and checking your email account regularly is a very healthy security practice we all should learn.
Acting on a security alert mail long after it had arrived at our inbox is as good as not receiving them at all. Security alert emails require immediate attention.
Make sure you have access to the email address connected to your bank account and your other online accounts. If not, try and update them. Learn to check your email account regularly.
Related: Google Account-How to Secure Your Accounts
2. Using Your Official Email and Passwords in An Unofficial Platforms
One thing hackers do well is creating a dictionary of already compromised login details of people; trying them out in another different uncompromised system. They do this hoping that the owners of those details might have used the same in other platforms.
It is a big online security mistake to use your officially used email address and password on other platforms.
The worst type of mistake is using the same password you used in creating your email address to create an account on another platform using the same email. If you didn’t understand this, please read it again.
Avoid using similar passwords and emails on every platform you use. Learn to create a different email and passwords for different purposes.
3. Using Your Bank Savings Account for Online Payments
Another online security mistake many makes is using their bank savings account for online transactions.
Adding your bank account credit card details to an online platform increases the vulnerability of your account.
It is not a good internet security practice to use the same bank account you use for your savings to run your online transactions.
Create a different bank account for your online transactions and fund it whenever the need be. People can steal money from your bank account using only your ATM card details.
Remember to delete your card details from websites or applications you made a payment on. Always be sure that your card details are not saved in such places.
Related Post: What You Should Know About Your ATM card
4. Involving in a Transaction You Know Little or Nothing About
It is always common to see people go to jail for an offense they knew little or nothing about.
One trick some cybercriminals use today is using their friend’s bank details to collect scammed funds.
Before you assist anyone from using your bank account to collect payment or move funds; make sure you understand the purpose of the transaction. Do this regardless of the amount being paid or whether it is a local or foreign transaction.
Permitting someone to use your account for a transaction means you are aware of the purpose of the transaction. This is more like allowing yourself to be used as a cybercrime accomplice.
It is a big online security mistake to allow people to move money through you without fully understanding the nature or reason for the transaction.
5. Using A Dormant Phone Number in an Active Online Account
One thing most people don’t know is that mobile network providers assign dormant phone numbers to new customers once it stays for some years. This means that if you keep your SIM card for like two years without using it actively, it will be assigned to a new customer.
The problem with using a dormant phone number in an active account is that when the number is assigned to a new customer; the person will now have access to your SMS alerts and can reset any accounts associated with your phone number.
Also, if you use the same number for WhatsApp, you will be kicked out of your WhatsApp accounts once the person activates its own.
It is not a good security practice to use dormant phone numbers in an active account.
Update your phone numbers in an account whenever you lose access to the phone number.
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