Different Online Security Solutions and Some Risks

Online security has never been more critical than it is now. We are frequently bombarded by news stories of data leaks and breaches. This is not even the worst of it. Once your security has been breached, your life can become an open book, and those with a bit of know-how can track you. This could also lead to stalking and even potentially break-ins at home or worse. Luckily there are also a lot of state-of-the-art security measures we can use to protect ourselves. But how do you know if these are effective or not?

In this article, we’ll be looking at some measures you can take to start protecting your online security, such as using a German proxy from a reliable provider like Smartproxy to make it look like you’re accessing the internet from within Germany when you are elsewhere in the world. We’ll also look at a few different security solutions that may not be as secure as we believe. Keep reading to find out what you can do to protect yourself.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Online Security?

When it comes to online security, you can do a few different things to protect yourself—from using powerful antivirus protection, frequently updating passwords, and using different complex passwords to using proxies to protect your identity.

Antivirus programs can keep your computer or device safe by picking up viruses and other malware before they get a chance to affect your computer. Aside from using a good antivirus program, it is important to also make sure that it stays updated.

Whenever you need to use a password, try using complex passwords that consist of letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, try keeping your password random by not using something personal such as a pet’s name. Finally, another important tip to good passwords is using different passwords and changing them frequently.

However, one of the best security solutions is hiding your IP address using a proxy. The proxy shows its IP address instead of your own when you use proxies. This means other websites cannot use your IP address to track you or gather your personal information. You can even use location-specific proxies like a German proxy can even make it appear that you are accessing the internet from within Germany even if you’re elsewhere in the world. A German proxy or other location-specific proxies can also help you bypass geo-restrictions and access content from that country without being banned.

Online Security Solutions That Pose a Risk

There are so many security solutions available, but it’s also important to know their limitations. Sometimes a high-tech solution may sound like the perfect security option and comes with risks of its own.

Facial Recognition Systems

Facial recognition has made some serious advances in recent years. There is a lot of optimism surrounding the potential uses in security. However, since the technology is still relatively new, cybercriminals can exploit a few bugs and loopholes. For one thing, there are still ways to fool facial recognition software. McAfee, the well-known cybersecurity firm, conducted an experiment where they used an image translation algorithm to fool the facial recognition software used for the test repeatedly while using over 1500 different images.

Home Security Cameras

While home security cameras have come a long way in recent years, and they are much more reliable than five years ago, they still aren’t foolproof. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Queen Mary University of London and the Chinese Academy of Science demonstrated how attackers could use the data uploaded by these security cameras to see when someone’s home or not. This means that they don’t have to hack into the camera itself and look at the actual video footage.

Many home security cameras actively start recording once it detects movement. This means that while there is no movement, the owner isn’t actively checking the footage. No data will be uploaded to the internet and then to the owner. By monitoring the data uploaded, criminals can track your comings and goings and determine when you won’t be home.

Free Proxies and VPNs

While proxies can be your best defense online, beware of free proxies or VPNs as they can easily leak your data and track you without you being any the wiser. Free versions of these tools are not recommended if you want to stay safe online.

Multiple Antivirus Programs

You may think more is safer, but this is not the case when it comes to antivirus programs. Having multiple antivirus programs installed can be much less effective (and more expensive) than just one good one.

Final Thoughts

Like plastic surgery or makeup, when it comes to online security, less is more. You might not need all the latest technology if you use up-to-date, reliable, proven solutions such as residential proxies, an antivirus program, and good internet security practices.