5 Cybersecurity Mistakes People Make - And What to Do Instead

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for everyone in today's digital era, from individuals to large organizations. With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the growing reliance on digital technologies, the consequences of a security breach can be devastating.

From financial losses and reputational damage to compromised personal information and critical infrastructure disruptions, the impact of a successful cyberattack can be far-reaching and long-lasting.

Despite the high stakes, many people are still making avoidable mistakes that put their digital safety and privacy at risk. These mistakes range from using weak passwords and falling for phishing scams to failing to update software, oversharing on social media, and neglecting to back up important data. While these mistakes may seem minor or inconsequential, they can provide cybercriminals with the access they need to wreak havoc on individuals, businesses, and even entire nations.

In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices is essential. However, many people are still making avoidable mistakes that put their digital safety and privacy at risk.

By understanding the common mistakes that people make and implementing the appropriate countermeasures, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a cyberattack. Whether you're a tech-savvy professional or a casual internet user, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself online is critical in today's interconnected world.

In this article, we'll explore five common cybersecurity mistakes and provide actionable tips on what you can do to protect yourself instead.

Mistake #1: Using Weak Passwords and Resuing Everywhere

One of the most prevalent cybersecurity mistakes is using weak, easily guessable passwords. Despite repeated warnings, many people still use simple passwords like "123456," "password," or their birthdate. Hackers often target these common passwords, making it easy for them to gain unauthorized access to accounts.

Not only using weak passwords is a concern, but reusing the same password on multiple platforms or places is also a very bad habit. Just it is difficult to remember all the passwords you created, reusing the same password is a bad choice.

For example, you had a password ']Y0uR<3p455w0rD@[' which is good and strong for your email account, but if you use the same pass on the other website too and that website suffers a data breach then your email account is also vulnerable. No matter how strong our online security is, a breach of a third-party website can compromise your email account if you’re reusing passwords. 

What to do instead: Use strong, unique passwords for each account. A strong password should be at least 9 to 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 

You can consider password managers to track your password or even to generate strong passwords. Another thing you can opt for is Passkey. Now many websites support Passkeys, which is another great way to stay secure.

Mistake #2: Falling for Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick people into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. These scams often come in the form of legitimate-looking emails, instant messages, or social media posts that attempt to lure you into clicking on a malicious link or attachment.

Remember the popular hacker group Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) which made multiple news headlines in the year 2014 -15? SEA has targeted many high-profile organisations' social accounts and western media websites, (like Twitter and emails). Their main tactic was a phishing attack, where they sends phishing emails to the targeted organization’s employees. 

In 2022 many corporate users of Microsoft's email services are the main targets of this large-scale phishing campaign, where email accounts were targeted with the new MFA bypass phishing.

Last year. CISA, FBI, and NSA have published a joint guide to prevent Phishing Attacks.

What to do instead: Be cautious about unsolicited messages or links, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Verify the authenticity of the sender before clicking on anything, and don't provide personal information or login credentials unless you're certain you're on a legitimate website.

Mistake #3: Not Updating the Software

Let's face it, those pesky software update notifications can be frustrating – they always seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times. But here's the thing: ignoring those updates can leave gaping holes in your digital security, and that's a recipe for disaster!

You see, software developers are constantly working to identify and patch vulnerabilities in their products. When they release updates, it's because they've found (and fixed) potential weak spots that hackers could exploit to gain unauthorized access to your devices or network. 

Failing to install these updates is like leaving your front door wide open for cybercriminals to waltz right in and help themselves to your personal information, financial data, or anything else they can get their virtual hands on.

What to do instead: If possible, enable automatic updates for your operating system, web browser, and any other software you regularly use. That way, you'll always have the latest and greatest security features without even lifting a finger. But if automatic updates aren't an option, set a reminder to check for updates regularly (say, once a month or so) and install them as soon as they become available.

Trust me, taking a few minutes to keep your software up-to-date is way less hassle than dealing with the aftermath of a security breach.

Mistake #4: Oversharing on Social Media

Sharing too much personal information on social media can make you vulnerable to identity theft, stalking, or other forms of harassment. Cybercriminals can use the information you post to piece together details about your life and use them for malicious purposes.

What to do instead: Review your social media privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information you share publicly. Consider using a separate account for professional or public-facing purposes, and reserve your personal account for close friends and family.

Mistake #5: Skipping Two-Factor Authentication (Don't Be That Person!)

If you're not using two-factor authentication (2FA) yet, it's time to get on board. Two-factor authentication is like having a bodyguard for your online accounts, adding an extra layer of security to make sure only you can access your private information.

Here's how it works: after entering your password, 2FA requires an additional step to verify your identity, like entering a code sent to your phone or using a fingerprint scan. It's kind of like having a secret handshake with your accounts – hackers don't know the special moves, so they can't get in!

Now, I know setting up 2FA might seem like a bit of a pain. You might be thinking, "But I already have a super-strong password, why do I need this extra step?" Well, my friend, even the strongest passwords can be cracked or stolen. Adding 2FA means that even if a nasty cybercriminal gets ahold of your login credentials, they still can't access your accounts without that extra verification step.

The good news is that enabling 2FA is actually really simple for most major online services and platforms these days. Head into your account settings, enable two-factor, and follow the instructions to set up your preferred verification method (text, app, etc.). Once configured, you'll barely even notice the extra security check.

So do yourself a favour – take two minutes right now to turn on 2FA for your most important accounts. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to lock down your digital life. 

Tips via Videos 

These are just a bit, check on YouTube, but be careful what you are looking for and what you want to look for.

By avoiding these common cybersecurity mistakes and following the recommended actions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber threats. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process, and staying vigilant and up-to-date with the latest security practices is essential to protecting yourself digitally.