Symantec shares us tips and ideas how to be safe against cybercrime and the like
 

Quote:...When you hear and read about the range of cybercrimes out there, you might be tempted to stop using the internet entirely. That’s probably too drastic.

Instead, it’s a good idea to know how to recognize cybercrime, which can be the first step to helping protect yourself and your data. Taking some basic precautions and knowing who to contact when you see others engaged in criminal activities online are also important steps.

You might want to learn how to prevent cybercrime, but here’s the thing: You can’t. You can, however, take precautions to help protect against it.

What is cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any crime that takes place online or primarily online. Cybercriminals often commit crimes by targeting computer networks or devices. Cybercrime can range from security breaches to identity theft.

Other cybercrimes include things like “revenge porn,” cyber-stalking, harassment, bullying, and child sexual exploitation.

Terrorists collaborate on the internet, moving terrorist activities and crimes into cyberspace.

How to protect yourself against cybercrime
Anyone using the internet should exercise some basic precautions. Here are 11 tips you can use to help protect yourself against the range of cybercrimes out there.

1. Use a full-service internet security suite

For instance, Norton Security provides real-time protection against existing and emerging malware including ransomware and viruses, and helps protect your private and financial information when you go online.

2. Use strong passwords

Don’t repeat your passwords on different sites, and change your passwords regularly. Make them complex. That means using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. A password management application can help you to keep your passwords locked down.

3. Keep your software updated

This is especially important with your operating systems and internet security software. Cybercriminals frequently use known exploits, or flaws, in your software to gain access to your system. Patching those exploits and flaws can make it less likely that you’ll become a cybercrime target.

4. Manage your social media settings

Keep your personal and private information locked down. Social engineering cybercriminals can often get your personal information with just a few data points, so the less you share publicly, the better. For instance, if you post your pet’s name or reveal your mother’s maiden name, you might expose the answers to two common security questions.

5. Strengthen your home network

It’s a good idea to start with a strong encryption password as well as a virtual private network. A VPN will encrypt all traffic leaving your devices until it arrives at its destination. If cybercriminals do manage to hack your communication line, they won’t intercept anything but encrypted data. It’s a good idea to use a VPN whenever you a public Wi-Fi network, whether it’s in a library, café, hotel, or airport.

6. Talk to your children about the internet

You can teach your kids about acceptable use of the internet without shutting down communication channels. Make sure they know that they can come to you if they’re experiencing any kind of online harassment, stalking, or bullying.

7. Keep up to date on major security breaches

If you do business with a merchant or have an account on a website that’s been impacted by a security breach, find out what information the hackers accessed and change your password immediately...

Mr. Dan Rafter of Symantec shares with us information about mobile OS, Google's Android and Apple's iOS, differences, advantages etc.

Quote:....It’s little surprise that, as consumers increasingly use their mobile devices for banking, connecting on social media, and making online purchases, cybercriminals are aiming their virus and malware attacks on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. The iOS and Android operating systems, then, have become tempting targets for cyberthieves eager to access the most personal information of users.

If safety is your main concern, and you want to keep your Android or iOS device free of viruses and malware, which operating system should you choose?

There is no simple answer.

Android vs. iOS: The threat level

In some circles, Apple’s iOS operating system has long been considered the more secure of the two operating systems. Why? Apple’s operating system is a closed system. Apple doesn’t release its source code to app developers, and the owners of iPhones and iPads can't modify the code on their phones themselves. This makes it more difficult for hackers to find vulnerabilities on iOS-powered devices.

Android devices are the opposite, relying on an open-source code, meaning that the owners of these devices can tinker with their phone’s and tablet’s operating systems. Too much tinkering, and owners might create a weakness in their devices’ security. Then there are manufacturers themselves. If a phone maker puts out a new device with a modification to the Android operating system and there’s a vulnerability in that code, hackers will find it.

Android is more often targeted by hackers, too, because the operating system powers so many mobile devices today. The global popularity of the Android operating system makes it a more attractive target for cybercriminals. Android devices, then, are more at risk of the malware and viruses that these criminals unleash.

But this doesn’t tell the entire story. While iOS may be considered more secure, it’s not impossible for cybercriminals to hit iPhones or iPads. The owners of both Android and iOS devices need to be aware of possible malware and viruses, and be careful when downloading apps from third-party app stores. It’s safest to download apps from trusted sources, such as Google Play and the Apple App Store, which vet the apps they sell.

Then there are the social engineering attacks in which cybercriminals attempt to trick users into giving up log-in information, access to bank accounts, and other personal data. It doesn't matter what mobile operating system you are using: both iOS and Android can be equally vulnerable to these types of phishing attacks.

Android and iOS software updates and security updates

Want to help keep your Android phone or tablet safe? Always upgrade your mobile devices to the latest version of the Android OS. Android regularly releases updates. It can be tempting to skip the installation of them, especially when life gets busy. But these updates are designed to help protect your Android devices against the latest security threats. Ignoring these updates could put your phone or tablet at risk.

Apple’s iOS updates tend to be bigger events, typically prompting iPhone and iPad users to install them as soon as they are released.

Of course, the owners of both Android and iOS devices can turn on automatic updating on their mobile devices. This way, when Android or iOS updates are released, their devices will automatically update to the latest versions of their operating systems....

Quote:....When it comes to mobile malware, a little bit of paranoia goes a long way. Malicious apps can steal your personal information, including sensitive financial information that can then be used to steal your identity. A lot of malware ends up on your phone due to malicious apps. So what are signs that you might already have a malicious app on your phone?


Safety for every device.
Security is no longer a one-machine affair. You need a security suite that helps protect all your devices – your Windows PC, Mac, Android smartphone or your iPad.

 
Slow Internet Connections
A slow Internet connection doesn’t always mean malware, but it is one of the few symptoms that even the most sophisticated malware can’t hide. Whether a malicious app is phoning home, communicating information about you or using your mobile device as part of a botnet scheme, it’s going to be using Internet bandwidth to do it. So if your connection speeds are all of a sudden crashing down to nothing, that can be a very clear sign that there’s something amiss with one of your apps.

 
Large, Unexplained Charges
On the same token, one giveaway that you have a malicious app is that your phone bills are way bigger than what they ought to be. Massive phone bills can result from a malicious app that’s a data hog or a malicious app that’s sending lots of premium text messages, then sticking you with the bill. There are few surer signs that you’ve become a victim of a malicious app than by getting an astronomical phone bill with your name on it. If this happens, call up your phone company and start thinking seriously about which one of your apps is the culprit.

Using Too Much Data
Even if you don’t have huge charges, you want to keep an eye on your overall data usage. For example, you might have an unlimited data plan. In this case, a bill might not tell you much about what a malicious app is doing to your phone. You’d have to actually check the data usage to see if you had become a victim of a malicious app. Keep an eye on your data plan. Look for spikes in data usage. Again, this is one of the ways that even some of the most low-key malicious apps can give themselves away. There’s just no way to hide the use of data....