Fundamental Cybersecurity Principles Every Internet User Should Know

Security is rule #1. This holds in everyday life and the digital world. If you trust your information online without caution, you could become a victim. However, if you make informed cybersecurity choices, you can truly enjoy your time on the Internet.

If you're not paying for a product, odds are you're the product

Google has become one of the most successful companies on the web by convincing users that its services are entirely free, but that's far from the reality.

Billions of users turn to Google for information. For instance, if you're in the market for a new phone, you type your query into the search bar. Google's algorithms spring into action, analyzing your input to deliver tailored results based on your location and preferences. The results may show stores near you or suggest a phone model in your favorite color.

In this scenario, Google uses your data, such as your location and the fact that you're searching for a new phone, to sell targeted advertisements to retailers. Google earns billions by offering these "free" services while selling your data and attention to advertisers. After all, how else could they afford to provide these services for free?

Another example is free VPN services and proxies. Suppose you become aware of potential threats when using free Wi-Fi and decide to look for a VPN. You download a free VPN app from the app store, click "agree" to its privacy policy without a second thought, and grant it access to your location data, call history, and full network control. You might feel like you've struck gold with a free VPN that protects you from malware, but the reality could be quite different. Now, some questionable individuals have access to your entire network activity and can eavesdrop on your traffic. Have you ever stopped to wonder why someone would give away a service that takes hundreds of hours to develop and costs thousands to establish for free? The truth is that by not reading the privacy policy, you've become not a customer but a product, with your online activity being sold to the highest bidder.

Prevention is cheaper than dealing with the fallout

It's often more straightforward and less costly to invest in prevention or education than to manage the consequences of identity theft or a cybersecurity breach.

Providing employees with cybersecurity awareness training costs only a fraction of the average $1.85 million needed for disaster recovery following a single ransomware attack. In the same vein, taking a few minutes to set up multi-factor authentication or freeze your credit reports can be done at virtually no cost, while unraveling a compromised identity can take hundreds of hours, involve legal fees, and lead to significant financial stress. Investing a little time and effort upfront consistently helps individuals and businesses dodge disastrous, life-altering consequences.

Remember, security is rule #1.