I've heard 3 horror stories over the last month or so alone from 3 separate people that I know about hacking, phishing and virus issues that have directly lead to losses of one sort or another.
There is no promotion here, I just wanted to find something that might just help some of you to protect yourself against computer hackers stealing your stuff. And if, as a result of this email, just one person doesn't get hacked that would have got hacked then I will be very happy indeed.
But there's a problem, the fact is that it is really hard to find basic but high quality information to help us all. That said, after a long period of searching; this video I found on YouTube doesn't do a bad job in keeping it simple, being easily understood and not over-labouring the points or being too technical.
Now, the first 1 minute and 20 seconds carries a promotion from the guy who made the video so I would fast forward and start at 1:20 but it's good information and it is all still valid even if the video is around one year old now.
Before I give you the video link, just also remember the real basics for protecting yourself online. Hard as it is to do, for example, don't use the same password for everything. In fact, try not to use the same password twice, period.
It isn't so hard to do, just download some free password vault software like KEYPASS or LASTPASS (you can google them easily enough) - they are both easy enough to use (I've used both) and will allow you to store every password you need.
Also, make sure you protect your password protector with Google 2 factor authentication (2FA) or something similar. Remember, getting into your computer is one thing but if someone also needs your phone to get into your sensitive computer stuff as well - you've made it much more difficult.
You shouldn't even think about this - anything that you use that could contain any personal or financial information on you - even your email account, should be 2 factored especially things like online bank access, crypto wallets and the like.
A tip on 2FA also - make certain to take the trouble to record your 2FA retrieval codes should you lose your phone. Write them down or just take an onscreen picture (screenshot) of them and keep them in a file. You get one of these at the beginning every time you set up a new 2FA. Then if you lose your phone or it breaks down you can easily set them all up again. Again you can Google 2FA for how to use it properly.
OK, and finally (then I will give you the video link), don't ever do anything sensitive whilst using public open spaces free wifi type services (airports, restaurants etc) because you never know when a hacker is just waiting for that.
Anyway, I thought this video was a pretty good place to start on extra protection. Remember, ignore the first 1:20 unless you want what they are promoting there of course.
I hope it helps - have a great (secure) year.
John
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