Ottobre è il mese europeo della sicurezza informatica: 5 consigli per difendersi thumbnail

October is European Cyber ​​Security Month: 5 tips to defend yourself

Posted by Walker Ronnie
Last Updated:October 3, 2023

October is European Cyber ​​Security Month: 5 tips to defend yourself thumbnail

The company specializing in IT security Barracuda suggests some simple steps to protect yourself from cybercriminals, following the advice of experts (often ignored by most users).

Cyber ​​threats: Barracuda’s advice

The month of October is a great time to remember some steps to defend yourself from online threats. This is because since 2012 it has become the “European Cyber ​​Security Month”, an initiative created to raise awareness among users of good cybersecurity practices. About that, Barracudareminds us of five simple tips that many users often forget or ignore.

barracuda cyber threats

Protection in 5 simple steps

  • Read the instructions. Today, less than one in four people read the instruction manual for a device or application. Although many users prefer to learn on their own, they mostly tend to give up after a few minutes. In fact, according to some studies, it seems that 95% of returned products are perfectly functional.
  • Clear data and cache before uninstalling an app. Removing an unwanted app from your phone doesn’t always solve all your problems. Before doing so, it is advisable to log in to the app, clear data and cache, to also remove personal data and links to other accounts.
  • Prefer ease of use. As attractive as they are, newer device models have a large number of features that you often barely use. This can translate into the so-called “overload from excess of available options”. In practice, having too many choices can lead to not choosing at all.
  • Avoid repeating an action endlessly. Repeatedly clicking “refresh”, “restart” or “reload” in the hope of solving the problem rarely leads to the desired outcome. Better to spend your energy finding a real solution, rather than increasing frustration.
  • Set a strong password. As trivial as it may seem, a strong password is still necessary to protect yourself from threats. The superficial attitude towards keywords is also often accompanied by a distrust of password managers. In this case, it is a good idea to consider an alternative.

    • The future of authentication is passwordless. L’passwordless authentication consists of verifying a user’s identity through alternative methods such as, for example, one-time passwords sent via email or SMS, hardware tokens (also known as security or authentication tokens, i.e. small physical devices used to authorize access to specific networks or systems) and biometrics (fingerprints or facial recognition), already used in many consumer applications and devices, including smartphones and banking and payment apps.

    Emre Tezisci, Product Marketing Manager at Barracuda.

    Of course, there are many threats that we don’t even know we are exposed to. And beyond these simple tips, there are solutions to protect users, especially in the business sector. Barracuda, for example, helps more than 200,000 organizations worldwide protect against network, application and data risks.

    Walker Ronnie
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    Walker Ronnie is a tech writer who keeps you informed on the latest developments in the world of technology. With a keen interest in all things tech-related, Walker shares insights and updates on new gadgets, innovative advancements, and digital trends. Stay connected with Walker to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology.