Are you looking for some best cybersecurity tools to use with your antivirus software? Check the essential firewalls to protect your data and keep the intruders at bay.
The level of cybersecurity on devices has a direct impact on mental health. Since a bulk of sensitive information is stored on these devices, people become fidgety at the thought of losing this data to hackers. A lot of PC users harbor the misconception that using lone cybersecurity like antivirus software is enough to protect them.
No matter how solid a security tool is, there is always a chance of penetration. This doesn’t mean antivirus software is useless. To a certain extent, they protect users from viruses and malware that probe our computers. Nevertheless, antiviruses need to be used with other security tools like VPN applications, firewalls, and public key infrastructure.
Flaws Associated With Antivirus Software
Most antivirus programs work in the same pattern. Strategies and known malware prevention codes are used to block malicious software. Antivirus security majorly uses a typical virus signature to restrict viruses from operating on your system.
However, cybercriminals work all the time, finding loopholes to exploit, and new ways to beat antivirus security. These hackers can use coding unknown to the antivirus to slip past the software. Even with heuristic detection which some cybersecurity firms utilize to stop disguised malware, computer systems still get infected.
Antivirus vs Rootkit
Antivirus software has been shown to allow rootkit infections. Rootkits are malware that can modify settings on your computer, even to the extent of switching off security software on your computer that can potentially remove the virus.
As great as antiviruses are at protecting your computer, they can’t stop hackers from siphoning your information through spying. If a cybercriminal has hacked into your router or attacked public Wi-Fi you’re connected on, chances are your information would have been breached.
Antiviruses usually work as lagging security software. A new virus would have infected several computers before antivirus security teams got wind of the virus and upgraded the software to stop the virus. Before you update the antivirus, your PC would be exposed to that security risk.
Computer Security Tools You Need For Data Protection
Even though you have an antivirus software, its better to use the cybersecurity tools like these!
1. Virtual Private Network
A virtual private network, otherwise known as a VPN, is a tool that boosts your security when you’re connected to the internet. When you use it, you connect to that VPN’s server, encrypting all of your data. This way, third parties would be prevented from spying on your online activity.
Using a VPN to encrypt your traffic also protects you from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks which are prevalent in areas with public Wi-Fi. A hacker typically uses a MITM attack to place their device in between your device and the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
The cybercriminal could also create a fake network being masked as the Wi-Fi network. Once you’re connected to bogus or real Wi-Fi attacked by hackers, your internet activity would be encrypted.
VPN also hides your IP address, spoofing your location, and protecting your personal information. When you visit malicious websites, the IP address of your VPN would be saved on their database. It even prevents your Internet Service Provider from getting a hold of your information and hence it can help as one of the best cybersecurity tools that keeps your data safe.
2. Firewall
Some individuals assume firewalls don’t perform well against cyber threats. This is untrue. Although cyber-attackers frequently alter malware codes, a firewall remains one of the best defenses against them. Firewalls serve users by restricted unauthenticated access to your system.
A firewall takes note of the internet traffic flowing into your device, making decisions on whether to allow certain packets of data into your system. If the data packet does not contain the specific security level, it would be stopped from getting into your system. A Firewall also uses security mechanisms like File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A lot of PC users like to turn off firewalls because of the incessant pop-ups. Make sure to turn on your firewall. You can purchase a hardware firewall for your home router or get firewall software.
3. Public Key Infrastructure
Public Key Infrastructure, commonly known as PKI, is used to encode communications. It is also associated with HTTPS protection for websites. Since it is so secure, it can be used to protect internal networks.
PKI is utilized to enable two-factor authentication to allow access to verified individuals and devices. It performs this by establishing digital signatures to recognize the signer. It is also used to encrypt email communications, reducing phishing and other data theft techniques to a bare minimum.
IoT (Internet of Devices) systems also use public key infrastructure to authenticate devices.
4. Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is one of the best ways to strengthen cybersecurity. A lot of firms that can afford this process typically opt for it because of its efficiency. Penetration testing involves tech experts performing ethical hacking to breach the security of your system.
This action is performed exactly how a hacker would attempt to hijack your system data. The idea is to identify potential areas of vulnerability. Different techniques used by hackers would be tested on your system during penetration testing, with the research reported back to you, and the loopholes patched up.
5. Cybersecurity Education
You might be tempted to blow off cybersecurity education but knowing cybersecurity measures is as important as having the tools. You need to attend seminars or take online tutorials about cybersecurity techniques to prevent attacks from happening in the first place.
During these lessons, you would learn cybersecurity practices such as creating strong passwords, stopping phishing attacks, avoiding malicious ads, downloading suspicious software, and identifying social engineering practices.
The fact remains that you are the first line of defense between cyber threats and your data. If you don’t perform certain actions on your devices, there would be little or no malware threats against that system.
Only visit trusted websites, and never open or download files from unknown senders.
Wrapping Things Up
Our devices hold a lot of information about us that we need to keep private. Since the security of your information is a top priority, you need to boost cybersecurity levels on your device.
Using a single layer of security like an antivirus used to be an okay cybersecurity level. Today, threats have become more sophisticated, requiring several measures of cybersecurity.
To protect your data you can use a VPN, educate yourself by taking cybersecurity lessons, utilizing penetration testing, and activating firewall software. I hope you would like to use these cybersecurity tools and ensure that your data is safe.
Hi Nirmala,
This is helpful article. These days cyber security and data protection are one of the most burning issues. Thanks for writing on this topic and sharing it.
Well, cybersecurity is a growing concern. I am glad to know that I can use some effective methods to protect my data along with the current antivirus.