Ten Encryption Tips to Ward off Hackers

The current situation of cybersecurity has shaken the world where individuals and companies are being targeted. The US government alone is on a spree for mass-scale surveillance along with the NSA. NSA was previously was kept a low profile, but now the intelligence agency is swiftly keeping a check on every US citizen that is a threat to their online presence.  

Now, adopting a more strong cybersecurity habit is a dire need where you need to use all the security browser extensions, online privacy tools, apps to encrypt your devices, and much more. Become that tech-savvy enthusiast that you always dreamt of. Go through these encryption tips and guarantee safety over the web. 

Be Careful not to leave a digital trail 

If you try to keep a part for your life private, then they only way out would be to not upload or share any information about you online. This seems but there are multiple people who try to stay private by not oversharing. Users are now skeptical about the email, texts they receive and send. In the communication line, the receiver of the data you send to can share that communication detail however they want. 

It’s advised to stay away from sharing data online as much as you can.

Use a secure messaging app

Users can look for encryption programs such as GPG or PGP that focus on privacy. Getting used to PGP can take time because it is a complicated interface, but after using it consistently, you will be able to secure your online presence smoothly. After that, look for highly encrypted messaging and email apps as well. The most popular encrypted app right now is “Signal,” which Hillary Clinton religiously used after her presidential election campaign faced data breaches. 

There are certain tools like ProtonMail and Riseup Mail which offer communication and email tools which provide end to end encryption. 

Surf the web safely

For unlimited anonymity on web browsers, ignore all the mainstream browsers and look for Tor. There needs to be a search engine that does not track your online whereabouts such as DuckDuckGo. The Tor browser keeps your identity safe by rerouting your communications  through different Tor servers 

For anonymous web browsing, download Tor. Use a search engine that doesn’t track you, like DuckDuckGo. The Tor browser protects your anonymity by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of Tor servers around the world, and encrypting that traffic so that it can’t be traced back to your computer.

Use Unbreakable Passwords 

Leave everything and turn on two-factor authentication for all your accounts and change your password immediately. Try to change and set new passwords every few months but make sure they include complicated, strong hyphens and numerical. The issue arises when you tend to forget the passwords you have set.

Look for LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane, to store all your passwords safely. All you need is a master lock to these and remember the master lock. 

Be Careful to What You share on Social Media

The information you provide on social media profiles could be lethal to your future on the web. In the event of a crackdown or a complete ban on freedom of speech, your entire social media profile and what you do could be in great danger. Your posts, likes, shares, etc. on Instagram Twitter and other social media platforms could be spied on even if you have dont nothing wrong.

In November, a case sprang up after Rutgers University lecturer tweeted regarding a flag-burning. The NewYork state police banged on his door and made him undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The US states intelligence has been monitoring everyone keeping a close eye on all races on social media profiles without any warrant.

Incorporate Encryption Protocols 

People assume that if they haven’t done anything wrong, law enforcement will never bother them, and their online identity will remain safe. Sadly, multiple experiences and incidents have shown that it is far from the truth. Snowden warned the NSA collecting dick pics which may seem to be an odd thing, but for surveillance, it is useful for them. 

This topic could go on for hours because the fate of online threats is far more diverse than what we think. All the major countries have formed alliances, which enables them to spy on citizens and share it with countries included in five eyes, nine eyes and fourteen eyes alliances. 

It’s better to start being serious about your online privacy before you regret it.

Author
Devin Smith is a tech-mech by profession, and also passionate into finding variant indulgence of the Tech World. He has studied marketing and now turning his exposure into the experience; when you find him playing soccer, it must be his spare hours.