Your Personal Cybersecurity: Getting the Protection You Need

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity involves protecting devices, networks and data from unauthorized access or use
by criminals. It helps keep unauthorized people from getting confidential information and
protects the integrity of that data. It also makes accessing information easy for people with the correct authorization or password. Personal cybersecurity protects the information of
individuals and the software they use.

Why Is Cybersecurity Important?

Any device that’s connected to the internet could be hacked or hijacked. Internet-connected
devices can include cars, baby monitors, doorbell cameras, medical devices, computers,
smartphones and more. Hackers can steal personal data like your bank account numbers, or
they can take over a device like a computer and threaten to delete your data if you don’t make a
payment or reveal private information. They can also track your online activity and sell that
information to third parties. Hackers have even used webcams and security cameras to watch
people inside their homes.

People who work remotely often use the same device for business and personal activities. This
makes personal cybersecurity essential for protecting companies’ data while employees are
away from the office. Hackers sometimes try to acquire business data from individuals for
industrial espionage. Paying regular attention to the security of your software, hardware,
networks and passwords can protect you from hackers.

What Types of Protection Do People Need?

As technologies have become more advanced, hackers have also improved their skills. Most
people need multiple types of personal cybersecurity to protect their information and devices.

Cloud Security

Cloud security is a software-based security tool that protects and monitors your data while it’s
stored with companies. People often call this storage method the cloud. Cloud providers often
create and implement new security to help users backup and protect their data. That way,
there’s an extra copy of essential information if anything happens to your computer, smartphone or other devices. People sometimes believe that cloud computing is less secure than traditional approaches, but it’s usually more secure because professionals can help you
make sure that your data stays protected.

Network Security

Network security guards internal networks against unauthorized intrusions. It often uses
machine learning to alert people about abnormal traffic and potential threats in real-time.
Network administrators also work to protect users against unauthorized access, modification or
exploitation of the network. Network security can include using secure passwords, encryption,
firewalls and more as well.

Application Security

Application security protects software codes and data. It can include antivirus and antispyware
programs, security testing for programs and more.

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

IoT security protects software for things connected to the internet or Wi-Fi, like smart
thermostats, smart refrigerators and smart watches. It keeps hackers from taking control of
your equipment or using it to collect data about you.